HOIMA
Construction of a Sh14.24 billion water supply project in Hoima City is progressing as the Government moves to address rising demand resulting from rapid urbanisation, population growth, oil and gas activities and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The project, being implemented by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), will draw raw water from River Kafu in Kikuube District, treat it at a new conventional water treatment plant and transmit it to Hoima City through a bulk water transfer system.
Dubbed the Hoima 2 Water Supply System, the project is designed to add 2,000 cubic metres, equivalent to two million litres, of treated water per day to the city’s network.
It is intended to supplement the existing Hoima 1 system, which NWSC says can no longer adequately meet the city’s growing water needs.
Project components
According to NWSC, the project will include a conventional water treatment plant with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres per day, about 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines and a 300-cubic-metre elevated steel reservoir at Musaijamukulu Hill.
It will also include raw-water abstraction infrastructure on River Kafu, pumping facilities, electrical installations, treatment facilities and water storage infrastructure.
NWSC Managing Director Dr Silver Mugisha said the project is an urgent intervention to bridge the water supply gap in Hoima in the short and medium term.
He said the existing system has been serving the city for years but is under increasing pressure due to rapid urbanisation, population growth and expanding industrial activity associated with the oil and gas sector.
Works underway
The project has moved from the planning stage to major civil works.
The latest progress assessment indicates that the contractor had reached about 28 per cent completion, with works expected to accelerate in the coming weeks.
The project is scheduled for completion and commissioning in March 2027, according to the latest progress report.
The contractor, ZhongHao Overseas Construction Company, is working with NWSC to implement the project.
Recent works have included construction activities at the treatment plant and the development of water abstraction and transmission infrastructure.
The latest assessment also highlighted pending procurements, proposed modifications and other technical issues being handled by NWSC and the contractor as construction continues.
AFCON preparations
The investment comes as Hoima prepares to host matches during the 2027 AFCON tournament, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
NWSC has also developed a separate water supply arrangement for Hoima City Stadium using two boreholes at Mparo and Kyarwiru.
The two boreholes reportedly produce about 25 and 15 cubic metres of water per hour, respectively, and have been connected and commissioned to provide the stadium with an independent water source.
NWSC says the wider investment is intended to strengthen water supply in the host city and support the expected increase in visitors, economic activity and demand for services during the tournament.
Oil and gas growth
Beyond AFCON, the project is being implemented against the backdrop of Hoima’s growing importance as the centre of Uganda’s oil and gas industry.
The expansion of commercial, residential and industrial activities in the Albertine region is expected to increase demand for reliable water services.
NWSC has therefore positioned Hoima 2 as an additional source of supply rather than a replacement for the existing system.
The Government and NWSC are also finalising designs for the longer-term Hoima 3 Water Supply System, which is expected to expand water production, transmission and storage capacity.
According to NWSC, Hoima 2 and Hoima 3 will eventually be integrated with the existing network to improve efficiency and resilience.
The project is consequently expected to serve both the immediate needs associated with AFCON and the longer-term requirements of a city whose population and economic activity are expanding rapidly.
For households, businesses, hotels, health facilities and industries, increased water production will be critical as Hoima continues to develop into one of Uganda’s major economic centres.
