NWSC seeks additional funding to ensure realiable water access for the community in the KMA

UGANDA - The National Water and Sewerage Corporation's (NWSC) plea for 60 m Euros balance from the Ugandan Parliament reflects the urgent need to enhance water supply to households in the Kampala Metropolitan Area(KMA).

NWSC Managing Director, Engineer Dr. Silver Mugisha, presented this request during a meeting with Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa at the Katosi Water Treatment Plant. The proactive approach in seeking support underscores the critical role of parliamentary backing in addressing water supplying challenges.

This initiative aims to improve infrastructure and meet the increasing demand for water in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, showcasing the Corporation's commitment to ensuring reliable water access for the community .

Meanwhile, Thomas Tayebwa said Parliament will continue to do oversight on government projects like utilizing Nsumbs Reservoir and Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant in Mukono.

Parliament in 2011 and 2018 passed two loans worth 300m Euros for construction of these projects together with an integrated transmission system to address water distribution challenges in Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso districts. It also included rehabilitation of Ggaba Water Treatment plant and construction of Nalukolongo Sewerage treatment system.

According to Tayebwa, he has been informed that there is still 60m Euros balance which is going to be used to construct reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa and an extensive water distribution system for Wakiso utilizing the redudant 42% capacity of Katosi's plant.

Eng. Mugisha explained that the facility currently produces approximately 100,000 Cubic meters of water per day, in contrast to the Ggaba treating Centre, which produces between 230,00 and 240, 000 cubic meters, totaling 340,000 cubic meters of water per day.

The Katosi Water Treatment Plant was jointly funded by the Government of Uganda, KfW Germany, the European Investment Bank, the French Development Agency, and the European Union Infrastructure Trust Fund under the Kampala Water Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project(WATSAN). The project had a cost of 84m Euros.

It's evident that the Katosi Water Treatment Distribution project plays a crucial role in meeting the water demands of the KMA. The project's completition in 2021 marked a significant step towards providing adequate water supply to a rapidly growing population. The collaborative funding approach showcases international support for essential infrastructure projects like this.