Millions to get connected as NWSC expands Katosi water network to North Kampala

KATOSI, Uganda — The government of Uganda, through the National Water & Sewerage Corp. and the French Development Agency, or AFD, is in the final stages of an expansive network project to connect millions of Ugandans to the Katosi water supply.

French Ambassador Virginie Leroy on Thursday toured the project and emphasized that the French-funded Package 2B project is a strategic investment. She said the work ensures that the massive production at Katosi translates into actual water in the taps of households in North and West Kampala.

During the site visit, Katosi Plant Manager Joseph Tweheyo Baine informed the ambassador that while the Katosi plant has the capacity to produce 160 million liters of water per day, it currently operates at approximately 52% capacity. Baine noted that this is due to historical gaps in the distribution network, which the current project is designed to eliminate.

The expansion project, which began in February 2025, involves the installation of 70 kilometers of primary pipelines and the construction of major new reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa and Mutungo. These works are engineered to bridge the gap between the high production at Katosi and the surging demand in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Once completed, the project will bring reliable water services to rapidly growing neighborhoods including Kira, Kasangati, Gayaza, Matugga, Kawempe, Nansana and Wakiso. Baine reported that pipe laying is already underway in the Mpererwe-Kawempe-Nansana section, with substantial completion of the entire network scheduled for August 2027.

The ambassador commended the NWSC for its efficient performance and focus on value for money. She noted that the project is designed with an inclusive approach to ensure even the most vulnerable residents are reached. A pro-poor component co-funded with KfW has already delivered 1,400 standpipes with prepaid meters and 64 public sanitation facilities, serving 450,000 people in informal settlements.

Ambassador Leroy held up the Katosi Water Treatment Plant as a model for infrastructure efficiency and international partnership. The plant is on track to supply safe drinking water to millions of people in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area by 2030.

The ambassador emphasized that the 480 million euros invested by France through the AFD represents a strategic commitment to Uganda’s water and sanitation sector.

“The partnership between France and Uganda is built for the long term to meet the objectives of Vision 2040, with a shared ambition to develop sustainable infrastructures for the benefit of the population,” Ambassador Leroy said. “This relationship of trust is the foundation of flagship projects that bring tangible improvements to people’s daily lives.”

The visit included inspections of SOGEA’s work at the Kungu pumping station and Kanyanya reservoir. Foundation works are already complete at the Kungu and Kabulengwa booster stations, and excavation for a 10 million-liter reservoir at Kanyanya has been finalized.

Alex Gisagara, a senior adviser for engineering services at the NWSC, said the project is the missing link that ensures the massive investment at Katosi reaches the taps of the population.

Following the successful utilization of initial funds, the AFD board in December 2025 approved new funding to increase the plant’s capacity by 80,000 cubic meters per day and extend the water network by an additional 50 kilometers. The project is also supported by the European Union, the European Investment Bank and KfW.

The success of the plant comes during a period of rapid expansion for the NWSC. Since 2013, under the leadership of Managing Director Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, the utility has moved to an aggressive service-delivery model.

During this period, the NWSC footprint has grown from 23 towns to 287 towns across Uganda by early 2026. Its asset base has surged from 650 billion shillings to 5 trillion shillings. The utility now manages more than 1 million water connections, serving an estimated 22 million people nationwide.

Under its current 2024-2027 Corporate Plan, the NWSC aims to reach 1.1 million connections and serve 24 million people, further cementing its commitment to total water coverage.

Estimated time for project completion is 30 months, July 2027.

(Credit NWSC)