KAMPALA – The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has disclosed major challenges in its efforts to provide water to some areas of Kampala. The issues stem from outdated pipe networks and hydraulic constraints, which hinder effective water distribution.
Eng. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of NWSC, explained that the existing pipes are often too small, preventing water from reaching all intended areas despite being available in storage tanks. He emphasized the need to rationalize the distribution network to address these issues effectively.
The problem areas include parts of Wakiso, Nansana, Kawempe, Matugga, Mutungo, and Bunamwaya. To combat these challenges, the government has allocated Shs374 billion for the Water Distribution Improvement Project, which is set to begin soon. This significant investment is aimed at upgrading infrastructure to ensure that water reaches all households in these affected regions.
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Problem Areas | Wakiso, Nansana, Kawempe, Matugga, Mutungo, Bunamwaya |
| Key Issues | Small pipes, hydraulic constraints |
| Government Allocation | Shs374 billion |
| Project Goal | Improve water distribution and infrastructure |
The funding for this project comes from a loan provided by the French Development Agency (AFD). Eng. Mugisha assured that this financial support will be used to enhance NWSC’s infrastructure, aiming to solve the distribution problems and improve water access for residents.
During the launch of NWSC’s three-year development plan on July 19, 2024, Eng. Mugisha expressed optimism about the project’s potential to address the water distribution issues in Kampala. He also noted that water availability problems persist in other upcountry towns, particularly during the dry season. However, NWSC is actively working to increase water production to mitigate these issues.
Currently, NWSC serves approximately 19 million Ugandans through 953,000 connections. The corporation has ambitious plans to expand this coverage to 24 million by 2027 and to 32 million over the next decade. Despite these goals, NWSC faces additional challenges such as water theft, inaccuracies in water meters, and water leakage from road construction projects.
| Challenge | Impact on Water Supply |
|---|---|
| Water Theft | Accounts for 5% of losses |
| Meter Inaccuracies | Accounts for 8% of losses |
| Water Leakages | Accounts for 17% of losses |
Eng. Mugisha highlighted that water theft alone results in a significant portion of the losses, while meter inaccuracies and water leakages contribute to further inefficiencies.
