Shs 8bln R. Kagera Water Project stalls for eight months

MBARARA CITY, April 11, 2025 – The Shs 8 billion Kagera Water Project, intended to improve water access in Mbarara City, Isingiro, and neighbouring areas, has stalled for eight months due to compensation disputes and local resistance, particularly over pipeline routes.

The Government of Uganda initiated the project on July 1, 2017, aiming to pump water from River Kagera to replace River Rwizi, which has drastically dried up due to climate change and human activity. River Rwizi currently yields only 18 million litres daily, insufficient to meet demand.

The new water project features a drinking water treatment plant, irrigation water production capacity, dual water intake, and 60 kilometres of pipelines.

According to Denis Muramuzi, General Manager of National Water and Sewerage Corporation [NWSC] Mbarara, Government secured a €68 million loan from the French Development Agency to bring water from River Kagera shared between Uganda and Tanzania.

‘‘During May to September, River Rwizi dries up, and we struggle to pump water. The Kagera project is expected to deliver 30,000 cubic metres of water daily, equivalent to 30 million litres,” he said

Although Mbarara currently needs 22 million litres per day, progress has been blocked by residents of Katete Ward, who refuse to allow pipeline construction through their land. This has left NWSC unable to connect Bihunya, where the water is treated, to Boma tanks that supply the city.

At an extraordinary City Council meeting, Muramuzi appealed for permission to install the pipelines through the carriageway on Katete Road. “All road reserves in Katete have been encroached upon, leaving us no alternative but to lay the pipes beneath the main road,” he said, adding that city leaders have been reluctant to approve this, fearing it may interfere with future road upgrades.

Muramuzi reassured the council that the pipelines would be buried deep enough to avoid disruption to roadworks, and clarified that the pipes are for water transmission only, requiring no inspection chambers that might damage the road.

Pascal, Regional Engineer at Cabinet Merlin, confirmed that project completion is stuck at 80 per cent due to the unresolved pipeline route. “We expect to commission the project by June, with water reaching Kabingo Town Council and Bihunya reservoir. The contract includes reinstating any damage caused during excavation,” he stated.

Local resistance, however, remains strong. Councillor Muhammad Byansi [Kakoba Ward] criticised the Central Government for launching projects without consulting local councils. He warned that allowing NWSC to dig through Katete Road could lead to demonstrations: “We want water, but not at the expense of our roads.”

Resident Mary Kankunda voiced similar concerns: “We thank the government for the water project, but we won’t allow the destruction of Katete Road. We’ve already suffered enough.”

In contrast, some councillors supported the project. Betty Tigefera [Female Councillor representing Kakoba Ward] urged colleagues to separate politics from service delivery. “Institutions buy water at Shs 150,000 per truck during dry months. We urgently need this water,” she said, urging cooperation where road reserves have already been encroached upon.

Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi appealed for unity among local leaders and MPs. “We need both water and roads. Let us not be seen to sabotage government programmes,” he said.

Mbarara Resident City Commissioner Catherine Hellen Kamwine advised Mbarara City Council to seek technical guidance from the ministries of Works and Transport, and Water and Environment before approving road cuts. “Katete is earmarked for upgrading, but we also urgently need water. Let’s be guided technically,” she stated. She also raised concerns about potential pipe leakages: “National Water pipelines often burst. Just look at the Mbarara-Lyantonde road.”

Mbarara City Council Speaker Bonny Tashobya Karutsya summarised the council’s position, recommending that NWSC be allowed to lay the pipes beneath Katete Road at a depth of 2.5 metres. “We’ve not approved cutting straight through the road centre. We’ve only guided NWSC and the Ministry to proceed cautiously and technically.”

While the Kagera project remains a crucial solution to Mbarara’s persistent water shortages, local tensions over infrastructure preservation, lack of early consultation, and fears of road damage continue to delay its completion. Unless consensus is reached soon, the region may miss its target commissioning date of June 2025.

https://thecooperator.news/water-shortage-hits-three-subcounties-in-nebbi-district/

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