The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has launched a major expansion initiative designed to alleviate water stress in several regions of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA).
The project, valued at sh373bn, is set to commence on November 15, 2024, and will conclude on May 15, 2027, covering a duration of 30 months.
The initiative funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) will encompass the rehabilitation, restructuring, rezoning, and expansion of the water supply network in the area.
The project is part of the Kampala Water Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (KW-LVWATSAN) project.
The Executive Director of NWSC, Eng. Silver Mugisha, noted that the project will involve the construction of 71kms of primary network pipelines, along with three booster stations and three reservoirs that will have a total capacity of 13.5 million liters.
The initiative encompasses the construction of a 10 million litre capacity reservoir on Kanyanya Hill in Kampala, a 2.5 million litre reservoir on Kabulengwa Hill in Wakiso District, and a 1 million litre capacity reservoir on the upper side of Mutungo Hill.
Additionally, three booster stations will be established in Kungu/Buwate, Kabulegwa, and Mutungo to facilitate the pumping of water to the respective reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa, and Mutungo, and the construction of facilities for staff, chemicals, security, and mechanical operations to ensure the effective functioning of the system.
Mugisha said the project is expected to benefit an additional one million people in the areas such as Kira, Ksangati, Kanyanya, Gayaza Road, Kitezi, Kawanda, Matugga, Kawempe, Nansana, Mutungo, Bweyogerere, and Wakiso among others.
“So, it is quite an extensive project and I think when we cover those areas, we shall reduce the catchment for Muyenga. When we reduce the catchment of Muyenga, we shall be increasing water supply to the Southern part of Kampala,” he added.
While addressing journalists at the NWSC head offices in Nakasero, suburb of Kampala, he revealed that the Government of Uganda through the NWSC has finalized preparations to initiate the highly anticipated project.
The execution of the project will be carried out by Sogea Satom from France, with oversight provided by Artelia in collaboration with Gauff Consultants Uganda Limited.
Mugisha highlighted that the project’s objective is to tackle the existing water distribution issues in the GMKA, which have limited utilization of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant’s capacity.
“The Katosi Water Treatment Plant, commissioned in December 2022, can supply up to 160 million litres of water per day, but only 52% of this capacity is currently being utilized due to insufficient water distribution capacity to reach more customers in GMKA,” he noted.
According to the NWSC Katosi plant has a designed capacity of 240 million liters per day; however, it currently generates 160 million liters daily.
The Ggaba water works also produces 240 million liters per day, resulting in a total of 400 million liters per day to meet both current and future demands in the Kampala Metropolitan service area.
Mugisha emphasized that substantial progress in enhancing water supply in GKA has been achieved through funding from partners like the LfW Development Agency (AFD), the European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF), and additional support from the Government of Uganda.
