With a strong strategic plan to increase the population served from 20 million to 26 million people with water,National Water and Sewerage Corporation is slowly extending water services to rural areas.
One such is Construction of the Kanungu Water Supply Improvement Project with 40-kilometre water network already installed.
According to officials ,the project seeks to increase safe water production in Kanungu District by at least two million litres per day while strengthening water transmission, storage and distribution to Kihihi and surrounding communities.
The 18-month construction project commenced on February 27, 2026, and will be followed by a 12-month defects liability period.
The works are being undertaken by GETS Technical Services, with all project sites handed over to the contractor on January 22, 2026. The contractor has since established camps, material stores and workshops at Matanda and Katete/Mpangango.
The project includes development of a new spring source at Matanda capable of producing at least one million litres of water per day, together with a pump station, approximately 13.3 kilometres of pumping main and a 200,000-litre elevated reservoir serving Kihihi.
At Mpangango/Katete, the existing water source will be upgraded from a capacity of one million to two million litres per day. The works will also include a pump station, approximately 5.5 kilometres of pumping main and 12.6 kilometres of gravity main.
Other works include about 7.2 kilometres of gravity pipeline at Kihanda, as well as distribution improvements in Butogota, Kihanda and selected sections of the existing network.
NWSC says pipeline installation has reached 13.2 kilometres, representing about 33 percent of the planned network.
The project has also completed topographical surveys, confirmatory soil investigations and structural designs for the two spring sources.
NWSC and contractor teams are undertaking site inspections as construction progresses, with activities running concurrently across the water sources, transmission lines and associated infrastructure.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide more reliable access to clean and safe water for households, schools, health facilities, businesses and the tourism sector in Kihihi and surrounding areas.
The increased water supply is also expected to reduce dependence on unsafe water sources, improving public health and hygiene while supporting local economic activity and household welfare.
NWSC has called for continued cooperation among the corporation, the contractor, local government authorities, community leaders and residents along the project routes.
The ultimate objective, according to NWSC, is to establish reliable and sustainable water services capable of meeting the growing needs of the people of Kanungu.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation strategic plan is an UGX 8.2 trillion blueprint aimed at accelerating universal access to safe water and improved sanitation across Uganda. Guided by the theme “Water for All for Health and Prosperity”, the strategy focuses on infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, and financial sustainability
