Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has outlined a Shs6.8 trillion water expansion programme under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), aimed at increasing access to clean and reliable water as Uganda continues to invest in infrastructure and economic production.
Musasizi said the government’s continued investment in water and sanitation is intended to ensure that more Ugandans can access safe water for household needs while also supporting agriculture, businesses and other productive activities.
He made the remarks in Kampala during the launch of Flow of Purpose, a book authored by Dr Callist Tindimugaya, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Planning and Regulation at the Ministry of Water and Environment.
According to Musasizi, water remains an important foundation for public health and economic development. He said government has therefore continued to channel significant resources into projects designed to improve water supply and sanitation services in different parts of the country.
The minister cited the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, which is estimated at Shs1.3 trillion, among the major investments in the sector. He also mentioned regional water-for-production projects involving village gravity-flow schemes, bulk water systems and livestock dams, particularly in areas such as Karamoja and northern Uganda where communities face water challenges.
In Kampala and surrounding areas, Musasizi highlighted the Kampala Water and Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project in Ggaba. He said the project has contributed to increased water production for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, adding tens of millions of litres to the available daily supply.
He also drew attention to the NWSC Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, which is estimated at $1.8 billion, equivalent to about Shs6.8 trillion. The plan is intended to support the expansion of clean water services and improve the ability of the corporation to meet the growing demand for water across Uganda.
Musasizi said government’s water investments extend beyond household consumption, with irrigation receiving attention as Uganda seeks to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture. He cited solar-powered irrigation projects under Nexus Green, the Farm Income Enhancement and Forest Conservation Programme, and other schemes being implemented in northern and eastern Uganda.
The minister also emphasised the need to protect Uganda’s natural resources, including lakes, rivers, wetlands and forests, as the country pursues its 10-fold growth strategy and the goal of reaching a $500 billion economy by 2040. The event also celebrated Dr Tindimugaya’s more than 30 years in Uganda’s water sector, with NWSC Managing Director Eng. Silver Mugisha describing his contribution and technical knowledge as significant to the sector.
