By Mulengera Reporters
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has unveiled a Shs14.24 billion water supply project in Hoima City aimed at strengthening infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and addressing rising demand driven by rapid urbanization and industrial growth.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a media briefing at NWSC headquarters in Nakasero, where management said the project forms part of government’s broader investment in critical infrastructure as Uganda prepares to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania.
Hoima City is among the host locations selected for the continental tournament, alongside Kampala and Lira, placing increased pressure on local utilities to expand essential services such as water supply, sanitation, and urban infrastructure.
The new project, designated Hoima 2, will draw raw water from River Kafu in Kikuube District and treat it at a new conventional water treatment plant before transmitting it to Hoima City through a bulk water transfer system.
It will include a treatment facility with a production capacity of 2,000 cubic metres per day, about 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines, and a 300-cubic-metre elevated steel reservoir at Musaijamukulu Hill, along with associated pumping, electrical and storage infrastructure.
According to NWSC, Hoima 2 is intended to supplement the existing Hoima 1 system, which has served the city for years but is now under strain due to rapid population growth, urban expansion, and increased activity linked to Uganda’s oil and gas industry in the Albertine region.
NWSC management noted that the current system is no longer sufficient to adequately meet the water needs of Hoima City and surrounding areas, describing the new project as an urgent intervention to bridge supply gaps in the short to medium term.
The corporation also revealed that designs for a longer-term Hoima 3 Water Supply System are being finalized. Once completed, the system is expected to significantly expand production, transmission, and storage capacity, with plans to integrate it with existing infrastructure to improve efficiency and resilience.
NWSC has appealed for timely government funding to support the rollout of Hoima 3, saying this is critical to securing the city’s long-term water security and supporting Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The Shs14.2 billion Hoima 2 project is jointly funded by the Government of Uganda and NWSC and is expected to be completed within eight months. Works have been contracted to Zhonghao Overseas Construction Engineering Company Limited.
The contractor has pledged to deliver the project within time and budget, while committing to uphold quality standards and comply with local content requirements by employing local labour during implementation.
NWSC says the project is expected to improve reliability and quality of water supply in Hoima City, reduce shortages, and support both urban growth and Uganda’s preparations for AFCON 2027.
