Uganda launches Shs694 billion water project for Greater Kampala
The project will draw water from Lake Victoria to supply over one million people in Wakiso and Mpigi districts.
The Ugandan government has launched a Shs694 billion water and sanitation project to provide safe drinking water to over one million people in Wakiso and Mpigi districts. The Wakiso West Water and Sanitation Project, managed by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), will draw water from Lake Victoria at Bwerenga. It aims to supply areas including Kyengera, Nsangi, Kajjansi, Kasanje, Kiringente, Wakiso Town Council, and Mpigi Town Council.
NWSC Managing Director Dr. Silver Mugisha stated the project addresses the growing demand for water in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, which has seen persistent supply challenges due to rapid population growth. The project will increase water production to 62.5 million litres daily and includes 94.2 kilometres of transmission pipelines and 78.5 kilometres of secondary pipelines. Consultants NIRAS A/S and Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG, along with Ugandan firms M&E Associates Ltd and Alliance Consultants Ltd, will handle design and supervision.
The project will also install 941 community water dispensers and yard taps with prepaid meters in informal settlements, benefiting approximately 160,000 residents. This initiative comes as communities like Kyengera have faced intermittent supply, with some households resorting to buying water at Shs1,000 to Shs2,000 per jerrycan.
Why it mattersOver one million residents in Wakiso and Mpigi districts will gain reliable access to safe drinking water, improving public health and reducing reliance on expensive alternatives.