By Joseph Mary Buwule.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University has disseminated findings from a research project aimed at addressing the growing challenge of water scarcity and inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The project, titled “Urban Expansion Model for Mitigating Water Scarcity in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area,” was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Research and Innovations Fund (RIF) at Makerere University.
The research comes at a time when rapid urban expansion in Greater Kampala is placing increasing pressure on water resources, sanitation systems and other essential urban infrastructure.
Speaking during the dissemination of the findings, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, welcomed the Chief Guest, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to using research and innovation to address pressing societal challenges.
Prof. Musinguzi said Makerere University remains committed to generating evidence and practical solutions that can contribute to national development and improve the welfare of communities.
The study examined some of the major water and sanitation challenges associated with the rapid expansion of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, including contaminated water supplies, sewage overflows and inadequate infrastructure.
Hon. Kabanda commended the Government of Uganda, Makerere University and other stakeholders involved in the research, noting that the study had interrogated critical challenges affecting the metropolitan area.
She called for stronger collaboration between researchers and government institutions to ensure that the findings move beyond research reports and are translated into practical interventions.
The Minister particularly urged the researchers to engage with her team at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to explore how the findings and the proposed urban expansion model could be integrated into ongoing planning and development initiatives.
She emphasized the importance of linking research with government planning processes to ensure that evidence generated by institutions such as Makerere University contributes directly to solving urban challenges.
Dr. Nestor Mugabe, the project’s Principal Investigator, highlighted the need for increased investment in water and sanitation infrastructure as cities continue to expand.
Dr. Mugabe called for investment in sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure equivalent to 0.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), arguing that greater financing will be essential to meet the demands created by rapid urbanisation.
He also recommended the adoption of a predictive model for assessing urban expansion, saying such a tool would enable planners and policymakers to anticipate future growth and make informed decisions on infrastructure development.
According to the researchers, the predictive approach could help authorities understand where urban growth is likely to occur and plan water, sanitation and other essential services before infrastructure gaps become critical.
The project underscores the growing importance of integrated urban planning as Greater Kampala continues to expand.
The metropolitan area faces increasing pressure from population growth, unplanned development, changing land-use patterns and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges can place additional strain on water sources and sanitation systems, potentially increasing the risks of contamination, flooding and sewage-related public health concerns.
The researchers therefore stressed the need for urban development to be guided by reliable data, forecasting tools and coordinated planning among government agencies, researchers and other stakeholders.
The dissemination of the findings marks another step in Makerere University’s efforts to translate research and innovation into practical solutions for Uganda’s development challenges.
The university said continued collaboration between academia and government will be critical in ensuring that research such as the Urban Expansion Model contributes to sustainable development and improved service delivery in Greater Kampala.