NWSC Pushes Ahead With Hoima Water Project As City Enters New Era Of Growth

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is moving forward with the Hoima Water Supply Improvement Project, a major infrastructure investment expected to strengthen water services in one of Uganda’s fastest-growing urban areas. The project is being implemented by the government as Hoima continues to expand economically and physically.

The development comes at a time when Hoima is gaining greater importance because of Uganda’s oil and gas activities in the Albertine Region. The government is also investing in infrastructure to support AFCON-related needs, while preparing the city to handle the growing population, businesses and industrial activities expected in the coming years.

The Hoima 2 project will obtain its raw water from River Kafu in Kikuube District. The water will be taken to a new conventional treatment plant where it will be processed before being pumped and transmitted to Hoima City through a bulk water supply system.

The treatment facility will have the capacity to produce three million litres of water every day. The project will also involve construction of approximately 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines, creating additional infrastructure for moving treated water to areas across the city.
Another key component will be a 300-cubic-metre elevated steel reservoir to be constructed at Musaijamukulu Hill. The project will also provide pumping, electrical and storage infrastructure required to support the treatment, transportation and distribution of water.

The new system is designed to supplement Hoima 1, the existing water supply system that has served the city for several years. However, the continued expansion of Hoima has increased pressure on the current system, particularly as population growth and industrial activity linked to the oil and gas sector accelerate.

NWSC and the Government of Uganda are also looking beyond the immediate project through plans for Hoima 3. Designs for the longer-term water supply system are being finalised, with the proposed project expected to substantially increase the city’s water production, transmission and storage capacity.
Once the different systems are integrated, Hoima is expected to have a stronger and more coordinated water supply network capable of supporting its continued transformation. The investment reflects the growing need to develop basic services alongside the oil and gas industry, urban expansion and other economic activities taking shape in the Albertine Region.