By Johannah Nantongo
National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is laying 69 kilometres of transmission mains, building reservoirs and installing booster stations to unlock more capacity at Katosi and improve water supply across Greater Kampala.
This mega project expected to serve more Shs1million customers will be completed in August 2027.
Despite having an installed production capacity of 160 million litres per day, the plant currently supplies only about half of its capacity because of limitations in the existing distribution infrastructure.
NWSC management says the ongoing investment will address these bottlenecks through the expansion of transmission pipelines, increased storage capacity and improved water distribution to areas that have previously experienced inadequate supply.
The project involves laying 69 kilometres of transmission mains, constructing reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa and Mutungo, and establishing booster stations at Kungu and Kabulengwa.
The Corporation is also upgrading its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to improve the monitoring and management of water distribution across major installations.
NWSC says the interventions will strengthen the network’s capacity to distribute water efficiently and respond to rising demand driven by population growth and urban expansion.
“The Katosi Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to produce 160 million litres of water per day, but limitations in the existing distribution network have affected the full utilisation of this capacity. The ongoing project will expand the infrastructure and enable more communities to access the water produced,” NWSC said.
The project is expected to benefit residents in Kira, Kasangati, Namugongo, Buwaate, Bulindo, Mulawa, Gayaza, Matugga, Kawempe, Nansana, Wakiso and surrounding communities.
Beyond addressing immediate supply challenges, the expanded network is designed to accommodate growing water demand through 2040, reducing pressure on existing infrastructure as Greater Kampala continues to expand.
NWSC says some communities will begin experiencing improvements before the entire project is completed, with the Namugongo-Kasangati pipeline scheduled for commissioning in January 2027.
The overall project is expected to be completed in August 2027.
Meanwhile, the Corporation has moved to address concerns among residents over the condition of roads and access routes affected by excavation and pipe-laying activities.
Several communities have experienced disruption as contractors dig trenches to install new pipelines, prompting complaints about damaged roads, walkways, road verges and access to residential properties.
NWSC has acknowledged the inconvenience and assured residents that reinstatement of affected infrastructure is included in the project contract.
“Contractors have been directed to ensure that all affected roads, verges, walkways and other infrastructure are properly reinstated. Our commitment is to restore the affected areas to their original condition or better,” the Corporation said.
The road restoration exercise is expected to begin this month, with some gravel road sections already undergoing reinstatement following the completion of pipe installation and testing.
The exercise will continue progressively as contractors complete work in different sections.
To ensure proper coordination, NWSC is engaging municipal authorities and the Ministry of Works and Transport while prioritising utility corridors to prevent repeated excavation and unnecessary damage to public infrastructure.
The Corporation says the coordination is intended to minimise disruption to motorists, businesses, pedestrians and residents during the remaining construction period.
The project comes amid rising demand for water services across Greater Kampala, driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth and the expansion of residential and commercial developments.
NWSC says strengthening the distribution network will improve the utilisation of existing water production capacity while extending services to communities that have remained underserved.
The Corporation has appealed to residents to remain patient and cooperate with contractors as construction and restoration activities continue.
Upon completion, the project is expected to improve water supply reliability, reduce frequent shortages and expand access to safe water for households, institutions and businesses across Greater Kampala and neighbouring areas.