In a determined effort to secure Gulu City’s water future, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has launched a comprehensive project aimed at protecting Oyitino Dam, the city’s main water source. During an inception meeting held this week, senior NWSC officials, consultants, contractors, and Gulu City leaders outlined the project’s goals and strategies, with emphasis on its potential to transform water management in the region.
Eng. Joe Kamanyi, NWSC’s Director of Infrastructure Planning and Development, described the initiative as a forward-looking step to ensure sustainable water supply for a city experiencing rapid growth. Joined by Project Manager Eng. Twesigye Innocent and the NWSC Gulu Area team, Eng. Kamanyi explained that the project’s holistic approach integrates infrastructure improvements, community involvement, and ecological restoration.
“We cannot afford to take the health of Oyitino Dam for granted,” Eng. Kamanyi said. “This project combines technical upgrades, community programs, and environmental restoration to safeguard a resource that is central to Gulu’s future.”
The contracts for the initiative were signed in November 2024, with a timeline set to conclude in December 2025. The project focuses on four core areas: improving water management systems, promoting sustainable practices through community engagement, providing livelihood alternatives for people living around the dam, and restoring vegetation to maintain ecological balance.
The Gulu City leadership has thrown its weight behind the project as the Mayor, His Worship Alfred Okwonga praised NWSC’s collaborative approach, describing the initiative as a critical intervention for the city’s development. “NWSC has proven its capacity to deliver impactful infrastructure and services. We are ready to support this initiative every step of the way,” HW Okwonga said.
Other city officials, including the Assistant Resident City Commissioner, councilors, the City Engineer, and the Environment Officer, echoed similar sentiments, while pointing to the project’s potential to improve water access while promoting economic growth and environmental conservation.
During the launch, stakeholders toured the project sites to gain a clear understanding of its scope and expected outcomes, which provided an opportunity to align on objectives and ensure collective commitment to the initiative.
NWSC’s source protection initiative is expected to be a turning point for Gulu, addressing both immediate water challenges and long-term sustainability needs. With an approach that combines technical innovation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement, the project promises to enhance water quality, availability, and the overall well-being of local communities.
For a city dependent on Oyitino Dam, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This initiative might just be the lifeline Gulu needs to secure a water-secure future.
