Paschal B. Bagonza
June 15, 2012
The government of Uganda has allocated Shs. 355 billion to the water sector in the 2012/2013 financial year.
In last year’s budget, the government earmarked Shs 271 billion to the same sector.
The minister of finance, planning and economic development, Maria Kiwanuka said the increase is necessary because “the component for bulk water supply previously under the agricultural sector has now been transferred to the water sector.”
While presenting the national budget in Kampala, Kiwanuka said the government’s priority in the water sector is to avail it for production.
She noted that the government plans to have an emergency rehabilitation and upgrading of Gaba I and II intake to increase water production capacity to 300 million liters per day and construction of a four million liters reservoir at Namasuba-a city suburb.
Kiwanuka revealed that in next financial year, gravity flow schemes supplying Nabweya, Lirima and Kanyampaga and small piped water systems for Luanda, Kabumba and Ongino Rural Growth centers will be constructed, for improved rural water supply.
She added that piped water systems will also be built in Lamwo, Agago and Nwoya, among many others. The ongoing construction of piped water systems in Paidha, Patongo, Opit, Omugo and 25 other township townships will be completed.
The government will also start constructing new systems in Moyo, Ibuye, Kalongo, Purongo and Akujo, she said.
She also revealed plans for further investments in urban water supply and drilling of boreholes.
Through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, she added, the government will undertake a number of projects of constructing a water treatment plant, rehabilitation of Bugolobi Sewage treatment plant and construction of waste water management plant.
In order to address constraints in water for production, the government plans to rehabilitate windmills in Karamoja Region, construct Kitasi-Sanga-Kanyaryeru bulk water scheme in Kiruhura district, design the Rwengaaju irrigation scheme in Kabarole and Kulwodong dam in Abim District.
About a quarter of Uganda’s population lack access to safe water.
