Government Pushes Ahead With Hoima Water Project to Support Oil City’s Rapid Growth
The Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), is advancing the Hoima Water Supply Improvement Project as part of efforts to strengthen water services in the rapidly growing city and the wider Albertine Region.The project is one of the government’s strategic investments in critical infrastructure as Hoima continues to develop into Uganda’s oil and gas hub.
It is also expected to support the region’s preparations for major international events, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while improving services for residents, businesses and industries.Under the project, water will be drawn from River Kafu in Kikuube District and taken to a new conventional water treatment plant. After treatment, the water will be transported to Hoima City through a bulk water transfer system before being distributed to different parts of the city.The new treatment plant is expected to produce up to 2 million litres of water per day.
The project will also include about 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines, as well as a 300-cubic-metre elevated steel water reservoir to be constructed at Musaijamukulu Hill.Other supporting infrastructure, including pumping facilities, electrical systems and storage facilities, will also be developed to ensure that the water supply system operates efficiently and reliably.
The Hoima 2 project is expected to strengthen and complement the existing Hoima 1 water supply system, which has served the city for many years. However, the increasing population, rapid urbanisation and growing industrial activities connected to the oil and gas sector have placed greater pressure on the existing system.With Hoima undergoing major economic transformation, reliable access to clean and safe water is becoming increasingly important.
The new project is therefore expected to play a key role in supporting households, businesses, industries and other developments in the region.Meanwhile, NWSC and the Government of Uganda are finalising designs for the longer-term Hoima 3 Water Supply System. The planned system is expected to significantly increase water production, transmission and storage capacity.
In the long run, Hoima 2 and Hoima 3 are expected to be integrated with the existing network to create a stronger and more efficient water supply system. The investment is expected to help Hoima meet its growing water needs as the city continues to expand and the Albertine Region takes on an even bigger role in Uganda’s economy.
