Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, recently visited the Katosi water project, praising the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) for their commendable service delivery. The Shs1.2 trillion project in Mukono District, funded by a Euro 300 million loan approved by Parliament, includes a pumping station, treatment plant, and reservoir.
Tayebwa expressed satisfaction with the completion of the project, emphasizing the responsible use of the allocated funds. He congratulated NWSC, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the government for efficiently absorbing the loan. However, he highlighted concerns about the underutilization of the treated water, with only 52% reaching the Kampala metropolitan areas.
NWSC Executive Director, Dr. Silver Mugisha, informed Tayebwa that Shs241.2 billion remains unused due to the need for a Shs181 billion top-up to complete the installation of a 15 million litre water reservoir at Matugga, aiming to cover more areas in Wakiso District.
Despite Tayebwa’s positive assessment of the project’s utilization, he expressed worry about the idle funds and pledged to guide legislators in supporting additional funding requests for NWSC in the upcoming budget cycle. He emphasized the importance of aligning budget allocations with the actual needs on the ground.
Dr. Mugisha raised concerns about the high electricity costs, stating that NWSC spends approximately Shs800 billion annually on power for the Katosi plant. He proposed a switch to domestic tariffs, urging the Ministry of Energy’s intervention. Additionally, Tayebwa advised NWSC to explore partnerships for a standby solar energy plant to reduce reliance on expensive hydroelectricity, promoting renewable energy initiatives.
Mukono District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hanifa Nabukeera, commended Tayebwa for inspecting service delivery projects, noting the positive impact on her constituents’ access to clean water. Meanwhile, Mukono South MP, Hon. Fred Kayondo, emphasized the importance of rural electrification to complement the newly established water supply lines in the area.