By Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha/Guest Writer
We appreciate the concerns raised by our customers and recognize that there are areas within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) that continue to experience intermittent water supply. We wish to assure the public that these challenges are well understood, are temporary in nature, and are being addressed through a comprehensive programme of infrastructure investments designed to meet both current and future water demand.
Understanding the Challenge
The water supply challenges currently experienced in some parts of Greater Kampala are not a result of inadequate water production. Rather, they are largely a consequence of the extraordinary pace of urbanization and population growth that has outstripped the capacity of sections of the existing water distribution network.
Over the past two decades, Greater Kampala has experienced unprecedented expansion of residential estates, commercial centres, industries and informal settlements. This rapid urban growth has significantly increased demand for water beyond what portions of the original distribution infrastructure were designed to accommodate.
Recognizing this challenge, the Government of Uganda, through NWSC, has over the years undertaken major investments to expand water production.
A key milestone was the commissioning of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant in December 2022, increasing water production capacity by 160 million litres per day. This created sufficient production capacity to meet the growing water demand in Greater Kampala and surrounding districts.
However, while production capacity now exists, the distribution infrastructure required to efficiently deliver this water to customers has not expanded at the same pace. Consequently, only about 52% of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant’s production capacity is currently being utilized, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen the distribution network.
Government’s Response: The Package 2B Project
To address this challenge, Government, through NWSC, is implementing the Kampala Water Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project – Package 2B: Rehabilitation, Restructuring, Rezoning and Extension of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Water Supply Network.
The project comprises:
Construction of approximately 71 kilometres of large-diameter primary water transmission and distribution pipelines.
Construction of three major service reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa and Mutungo.
Construction of three booster pumping stations at Kungu/Buwate, Kabulengwa and Mutungo.
Construction of associated operational facilities to support reliable water service delivery.
Upon completion, the project will directly improve water supply to Kira, Kasangati, Kanyanya, Gayaza Road, Kitezi, Kawanda, Matugga, Kawempe, Nansana, Mutungo, Bweyogerere, Wakiso and surrounding areas, benefiting approximately one million additional people and increasing the population served by NWSC in Greater Kampala to about six million people.
Project Implementation Progress
NWSC is pleased to report that implementation of the Package 2B Project is progressing well.
Pipe laying works are advancing steadily across the project area. As is common with major infrastructure projects implemented within rapidly urbanizing cities, construction has encountered challenges in securing the necessary right-of-way. These challenges mainly arise from historical poor urban planning, developments within road reserves and congested underground utility corridors.
Working closely with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Wakiso District Local Government, Mukono District Local Government and other relevant authorities, these challenges are steadily being resolved, allowing construction activities to continue progressing.
Construction of the booster pumping stations and service reservoirs is also progressing well and remains on schedule. These strategic facilities will significantly improve water pressure management, increase storage capacity, strengthen system resilience and improve reliability of supply, particularly to elevated and rapidly growing communities.
A Strategic Rebalancing of Greater Kampala’s Water Supply System
Package 2B is more than a pipeline project. It represents a strategic reconfiguration of the entire Greater Kampala water supply system.
Upon completion, substantial areas currently supplied from the Ggaba Water Production System through the Muyenga, Rubaga and Namasuba reservoir systems will progressively be supplied from the Katosi Water Production and Distribution System.
This redistribution of supply will significantly reduce demand on the Ggaba system, thereby releasing capacity to improve water availability and service reliability in areas that will continue to depend on Ggaba.
Among the areas expected to benefit from this system rebalancing are Lubowa, Bunamwaya, Mutundwe, Kyengera, Buloba and surrounding communities, where customers have at times experienced intermittent supply resulting from increasing demand on the existing Ggaba distribution network.
By optimizing utilization of both the Ggaba and Katosi water production systems, NWSC will improve network pressures, enhance operational flexibility, reduce system stress and significantly improve the reliability of water supply throughout the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Planning Beyond Package 2B
Government is not stopping at Package 2B. Recognizing that Greater Kampala continues to grow rapidly, Government, through NWSC, is already finalizing the next phase of strategic investments aimed at ensuring that water infrastructure remains ahead of future demand.
These plans include the expansion of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant through the construction of an additional production line capable of producing 80 million litres of water per day, thereby increasing the plant’s production capacity from the current 160 million litres per day to 240 million litres per day.
Government is also planning the development of an additional distribution subsystem from the Ggaba Water System to specifically strengthen water supply to the rapidly growing Lubowa–Kigo corridor, where residential, commercial and institutional developments continue to increase demand for water.
In addition, the planned investments include strategic expansion of water supply infrastructure in Mukono and Wakiso Districts, where rapid urbanization continues to drive demand for reliable water services.
These forward-looking investments demonstrate Government’s commitment to ensuring that water infrastructure grows in tandem with the expanding metropolitan population. Together with the ongoing Package 2B Project, they will provide a stronger, more resilient and future-ready water supply system capable of meeting demand for many years to come.
Temporary Challenges, Lasting Solutions
NWSC appreciates the inconvenience experienced by customers in areas affected by intermittent water supply. While some customers have resorted to alternative water sources, these are temporary measures necessitated by infrastructure constraints that are already being addressed.
Meanwhile, NWSC continues to implement operational interventions including network optimization, pressure management, localized pipeline reinforcement, strategic booster pumping and scheduled water supply management to minimize inconvenience while the permanent infrastructure is being completed.
Our Commitment
NWSC remains fully committed to providing safe, reliable and sustainable water services to all Ugandans.
The current water supply challenges should therefore be viewed within the context of a rapidly expanding metropolitan area and an equally ambitious programme of infrastructure development.
Through the successful implementation of Package 2B, the planned expansion of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant from 160 million to 240 million litres per day, the proposed Lubowa–Kigo supply subsystem, and strategic network expansion across Mukono and Wakiso Districts, Government and NWSC are laying the foundation for a resilient, efficient and future-ready water supply system.
These investments will enable Greater Kampala to fully utilize the available production capacity at both the Ggaba and Katosi Water Treatment Plants, improve water pressure, stabilize supply, enhance operational resilience and provide reliable water services to a rapidly growing metropolitan population for decades to come.
NWSC appreciates the patience and continued support of its customers, the Government of Uganda, development partners, local governments and all stakeholders as we work together to build a water supply system that supports the social and economic transformation of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. The writer is the Managing Director, National Water and Sewerage Corporation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
