The Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has initiated a Shs694 billion project to provide water from Lake Victoria to over 1 million people in fast-growing areas south and west of Kampala. The Wakiso West Water and Sanitation Project will draw water from Lake Victoria at Bwerenga to serve several areas, including Kyengera, Nsangi, Kajjansi, and Mpigi. The project aims to provide uninterrupted access to safe drinking water for the beneficiaries.
The project involves the construction of a water treatment plant at Bwerenga, which will treat 62.5 million liters of water per day. The plant's intake will be able to draw up to 200 million liters of water per day. The water will be transmitted through 94.2 kilometers of pipes and distributed through 78.5 kilometers of secondary pipes to five reservoirs. The project also includes the installation of 941 community water dispensers and yard taps with electronic prepaid meters in informal settlements.
The NWSC has signed a consultancy contract worth Shs47.5 billion for the project with a joint venture of Danish firm NIRAS A/S and German engineering firm Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG. The consultants will design the works, prepare tender documents, and supervise construction. The project is expected to address one of the most pressing gaps in the metropolitan area's water supply, particularly in areas that have experienced intermittent supply due to the growing demand for water.
The areas served by the Ggaba system, including Kyengera, Mutundwe, Lubowa, Buziga, and Munyonyo, have experienced intermittent supply as demand has grown. The most affected areas are on rationing, with residents buying water from wells at high prices. The project will also establish a faecal sludge treatment plant on Ssekiwunga Road in Kajjansi, with a capacity to handle at least 400,000 liters per day.
The project is part of NWSC's efforts to close the supply gap in the Greater Kampala area. Other projects underway include the expansion of the Katosi plant, which is expected to increase its capacity to 240 million liters per day with additional French financing. Package 2B, under construction since February 2025, is laying about 70 kilometers of large pipes and building reservoirs to serve about 1 million more people.
The NWSC serves an estimated 22 million people through more than 1 million connections in 287 towns, up from 23 towns in 2013. Its 2025-2030 strategic plan targets 26 million people by 2030. The Wakiso West consultancy will run in two phases, with the first phase covering detailed designs and tender documents, and the second phase covering supervision of construction and a defects liability period.
The project is expected to provide over 1 million people with uninterrupted access to safe drinking water and address challenges associated with indiscriminate faecal sludge disposal. The project will also promote sustainable development and protect public health. The government has invested heavily in the project, with a concessional loan and a grant component to support its implementation.
Key points
- The project will provide water to over 1 million people in areas south and west of Kampala.
- The project includes the construction of a water treatment plant and a faecal sludge treatment plant.
- The project aims to promote sustainable development and protect public health.
