KAMPALA –
Three million people are expected to benefit from the shillings two billion Katosi water expansion project by 2030, significantly increasing access to safe drinking water in northern parts of Kampala.
The Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has launched the major distribution network upgrade in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under French Embassy in Uganda.
The project is designed to ensure that water produced at the Katosi Water Treatment Plant reaches rapidly growing and previously underserved communities across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
French Ambassador to Uganda Virginie Leroy, who toured the project sites on February 13, 2026, described the French-funded works as a strategic investment that bridges the gap between production and distribution.
She commended NWSC for its efficiency and focus on value for money, noting that the project has been designed with an inclusive approach to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.
“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 infrastructure for the benefit of the population. This relationship of trust is the foundation of flagship projects that bring tangible improvements to people’s daily lives,” Leroy said.
Leroy said France has invested Euros 480 million (about shillings two billion) in Uganda’s water and sanitation sector through AFD, underscoring its long-term commitment to strengthening essential infrastructure. The project is also supported by the European Union, the European Investment Bank and KfW.
Currently, about one million residents benefit from water supplied by the Katosi plant. However, gaps in the primary distribution network had limited supply to several areas in northern and western Kampala.
Following the successful utilisation of initial funds, the AFD board in December 2025 approved additional financing to increase Katosi’s production capacity by 80,000 cubic metres per day and extend the water network by an additional 50 kilometres.
Alex Gisagara, senior adviser for engineering services at NWSC, described the expansion as the missing link that ensures the massive investment at Katosi translates into water flowing directly from household taps.
He said the works will guarantee that the high volumes produced at Katosi effectively serve North and West Kampala, particularly underserved and fast-growing communities.
The expansion, which began in February 2025, involved laying 70 kilometres of primary pipelines and constructing major reservoirs at Kanyanya, Kabulengwa and Mutungo.
Booster stations at Kungu and Kabulengwa are also being established to strengthen water pressure and improve distribution.
Pipe-laying is already underway along the Mpererwe–Kawempe–Nansana corridor, with substantial completion of the entire network expected by August 2027.
Once completed, the project will significantly improve water supply to fast-growing neighbourhoods, including Kira, Kasangati, Gayaza, Matugga, Kawempe, Nansana and Wakiso.
The expansion comes at a time of rapid growth for NWSC. Since 2013, the utility has expanded its operational footprint from 23 towns to 287 towns across Uganda by early 2026, while its asset base has grown from Shs650 billion to Shs5 trillion.