Piped water project targeting 40,000 people commissioned in Kamuli
Close to 20 years now, dwellers in Kamuli Town and the neighbourhoods had grappled with water shortages due to old, poor-performing technologies, leaving consumers in a week-long crisis.
Sections of the water system. (PHOTOS BY TOM GWEBAYANGA)
By Tom Gwebayanga
Journalists @New Vision
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The Ministry of Water and Environment has commissioned a multi-billion piped water project to serve communities with water along a 17km grid from the River Nile to Kamuli town in Kamuli Municipality, Kamuli District.
On Friday, the Ministry received the sh34.8 billion piped water complex and system at Bugondha village in Mbulamuti Town Council from the contractors, M/S Vidas Engineering Services in JV with Jos Hansen & Soehen (EA).
Ministry officials also handed over the system to Kamuli District Local Government and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), to serve the target population of 40,0000 people.
The development casts a dawn of better livelihoods and business upbeat in the beneficiaries, both rural and urbanite.
Officiated by the Ministry’s Urban Water & Sewerage Commissioner, Eng. Dr Felix Twinomucunguzi, the handover was witnessed by the Parliamentary Committee for National Economy, headed by Bukedea MP, John Bosco Ikojo. 
The Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, John Bosco Ikoju (centre), cuts the tape at the launch of the water system at Bugondha. (PHOTOS BY TOM GWEBAYANGA)
Other legislators included Henry Maurice Kibalya (Bugabula South), Mary Goretti Kitutu (Manafwa –Woman), Charles Tebandeke (Bbaale), Allen Alitugonza (Buliisa –Woman), Jane Aporu (Pakwach), Juliet Lodou Achayo (Ngora County), among others.
MPs inspect the water treatment plant in Bugondha. (PHOTOS BY TOM GWEBAYANGA)
The MPs were on a fact-finding tour of the sh34.8 billion loan (Phase 1), which the committee had approved for the Government to secure from the African Development Bank (ADB) to provide safe water to communities.
According to Dr Twinomucunguzi, construction of similar projects is undergoing in Kayunga, Busaana, Kyenjojo, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Bulambuli, among others.
Cumbersome water journey, public appreciates
Close to 20 years now, dwellers in Kamuli Town and the neighbourhoods had grappled with water shortages due to old, poor-performing technologies, leaving consumers in a week-long crisis.
Then, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) supplied water from Namalemba dam in Nabwigulu sub-county and deep wells (boreholes), which became insufficient due to the increased urban population.
The insufficiency forced communities to source water from the springs downtown and boreholes, which many times malfunctioned or collapsed.
In such incidents, 20-litre jerry cans cost sh.600/- and 1,000/-.
Denis Kagabo, the Kamuli Municipality Deputy Mayor, thanked the NRM Government for adding value to lives in the growing urban centre.
“Regular water supply translates to active businesses, thus reducing poverty and anxiety in the communities,” Kagabo said.
Sitting on 8 acres, the plant features the treatment complex and the high-tech system that snakes from Bugondha village in Mbulamuti Town Council to Kamuli town, 17 km away.
Previously, NWSC extended its network to 20 villages in the sub-counties of Kisozi, Nabwigulu, Kitayunjwa and Magogo, targeting 13,0000 consumers.
Eng. Stephen Walakira, NWSC Kamuli branch Manager, said that the extensions aim at public demand due to the galloping urbanisation.