Uganda Receives New Water Quality Monitoring Equipment from Nile Basin Initiative
The equipment was handed over by the NBI Executive Director, Dr. Florence Grace Adongo, to Ms. Idrakua Lillian, the Commissioner of the Water Quality Management Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment, who received it on behalf of the Government of Uganda.
Uganda has officially become the fourth Nile Basin country to receive a new set of modern water quality monitoring equipment from the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), marking a major step forward in strengthening pollution management through real-time, science-based data collection.
The equipment was handed over by the NBI Executive Director, Dr. Florence Grace Adongo, to Ms. Idrakua Lillian, the Commissioner of the Water Quality Management Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment, who received it on behalf of the Government of Uganda. The handover ceremony was held at the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat in Entebbe.
The delivery is part of the ongoing Nile Cooperation for Climate Resilience Project, funded by the World Bank through the Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) Trust Fund. Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan have already received similar sets, with other Nile Basin countries expected to benefit in subsequent phases.
According to NBI, the package includes general laboratory equipment, IT hardware, and state-of-the-art water quality sensors. The equipment will be installed in 39 monitoring locations across the Nile Basin to ensure systematic, data-driven water quality management.
Officials noted that the new investments will significantly enhance Uganda’s capacity to collect accurate water quality data, a crucial tool in the fight against pollution and environmental degradation of the Nile.
“The equipment will enable Uganda to monitor, manage, and ultimately improve water quality in its portion of the Nile Basin, ensuring better planning and decision-making for sustainable water resources management,” said Dr. Adongo.
The Nile Basin, which serves as a lifeline for over 250 million people across 11 countries, faces growing challenges such as pollution, climate change, and population pressure. Strengthening monitoring systems is therefore seen as vital for long-term resilience and cooperation among riparian states.
Ms. Idrakua Lillian emphasized the importance of this milestone for Uganda, noting that access to real-time data would help the Ministry of Water and Environment enforce environmental standards, guide pollution control measures, and support Uganda’s broader efforts in climate adaptation.
The project highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges. By ensuring all Nile Basin countries have the tools and capacity to monitor water quality, the initiative aims to foster joint action, promote transparency, and safeguard the basin’s resources for future generations.
Uganda’s new equipment is expected to be operational in the coming months, with experts projecting a significant boost to national and transboundary water governance once the 39 monitoring stations are fully equipped and functional.
