Residents of Kampala and its surroundings will get an additional 72 million liters by August 2015 following the launch of an expansion project on Monday.
Under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, the euro 212 million project will also result into a bigger storage capacity, upgrading the water distribution system and a new treatment plant.
Launching the project in Ggaba, Ephraim Kamuntu, water minister regretted that the country’s urban water coverage is only at 70% despite being blessed with several fresh water lakes and rivers like Wamala, George, Victoria and Edward.
“30% of the people have to move more than 200m to get water, until we achieve 100% coverage, we will not rest,” said Kamuntu. He noted that water remains critical for industrial and agricultural transformation through the transition from rain fed farming to irrigation supported agriculture.
He said despite rising demographics like the growing urbanization and population growth stretching water demands, the index is a positive one because urbanization indicates progress.
He also asked the population where the water facilities will run to embrace the project.
NWSC managing director Dr. Silver Mugisha said current production from the Ggaba complex is at 150 million although demand is at 240 million litres litres. Mugisha promised that together with the project consultants SOGEA SATOM, the project will not overrun its costs and expected delivery time.
The water line will run from Ggaba to Namasuba. The new plant at Namasuba will now supply Lubowa, Kajjansi-areas previously supplied by Entebbe. Muyenga will no longer support these areas but will be positioned to supply the northern parts of Kampala.
By David Mugabe, The New Vision
