Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja has shed light on the disparities in water distribution across various areas in northern Uganda, revealing that certain regions are excluded from ongoing water distribution projects conducted by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
During a parliamentary session, Nabbanja highlighted that only towns situated along the Kampala-Gulu highway, such as Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi kolo-Abili, and Palenga, are set to benefit from the current water distribution initiatives.
Responding to a query raised by Eunice Otuko Apio, the Member of Parliament for Oyam North constituency, regarding the exclusion of her constituency from the ongoing water projects in the districts of Gulu, Omoro, and Oyam, Nabbanja clarified that areas like Oyam North are not included in the project’s scope.
Nabbanja elucidated that the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, a collaborative effort between NWSC and the Ministry of Water and Environment, encompasses various initiatives aimed at enhancing water supply and sanitation infrastructure in select regions.
These initiatives include the Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project, the Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project, the Adjumani Water Supply and Sanitation Project, and source protection measures in Arua, Gulu, Mbale, and Bushenyi areas.
The Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project, funded by the World Bank and a German development agency KfW, involves significant infrastructure development, including the laying of a transmission pipeline from Karuma to Gulu.
Similarly, the Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project targets multiple areas, focusing on expanding production capacity, enhancing water treatment plants, and improving distribution networks and sanitation facilities.
The Adjumani Water Supply and Sanitation Project aims to address water supply needs in Adjumani Town Council and surrounding areas through the construction of essential infrastructure such as water intake structures, treatment plants, distribution networks, and storage facilities.
Furthermore, source protection measures in various regions are underway to safeguard water sources and enhance water quality.
Nabbanja emphasized that while progress has been made in several projects, some are still ongoing, with completion expected within specific timelines.
She underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between NWSC, government entities, and funding partners to ensure the successful implementation of these vital water projects, ultimately improving living conditions and promoting sustainable development in northern Uganda.
