SEMBABULE — The government has handed over a Shs10 billion piped water project to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), marking a major milestone in efforts to address Sembabule District's long-standing water challenges.
The project, implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment with financial support from the Government of India, is expected to significantly improve access to clean and safe water for thousands of residents in one of Uganda's most water-stressed districts.
The commissioning comes at a critical time when Sembabule is battling a prolonged dry spell that has left many communities grappling with severe water shortages. However, government officials said the project is intended as a long-term solution to the district's chronic water scarcity rather than a temporary response to the current drought.
According to Eng David Bateganya from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the first phase of the project will benefit 62,049 households in more than 50 villages across the sub-counties of Lugusulu, Mitima and Mijwala in Mawogola North Constituency.
"This project uses solar-powered pumps to deliver water into storage tanks. It will greatly reduce water shortages while also eliminating interruptions caused by unreliable electricity supply," Bateganya said.
The project has now been handed over to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, which will oversee its operation and maintenance.
NWSC Area Manager for Sembabule, Eng Joshua Ruhweeza, said the utility is committed to ensuring residents receive reliable water despite seasonal challenges.
"During prolonged dry seasons, water levels in River Kyoja, our main source, reduce considerably. Even so, we are committed to ensuring that residents continue receiving water throughout the year," Ruhweeza said.
He added that water supplied through government-installed public standpipes will cost Shs100 per 20-litre jerrycan, making it significantly more affordable than prices currently charged by private water vendors.
"If you find our water attendant selling a jerrycan of water at Shs1,000, please alert us and we shall take action because the water itself costs Shs25, while Shs75 is paid to the attendant for every jerrycan sold," Ruhweeza said.
Residents welcomed the project, saying it would provide much-needed relief after years of struggling to access clean water.
Many said the current drought has forced them to walk long distances in search of water, while the price of a 20-litre jerrycan has risen to as much as Shs1,000 in some areas because of scarcity.
"And the water they sell at that amount is from dams where even animals drink. We thank the government and President Museveni for bringing us piped water. We will no longer face disease outbreaks caused by unsafe water," some residents said.
Although the new project is expected to ease domestic water shortages, farmers and livestock keepers noted that the ongoing dry spell has already damaged crops, dried up traditional water sources and increased pressure on the few available supplies.
"We are now requesting the government to help us by providing water for irrigation so that our crops do not suffer during this dry season," the farmers said.
Sembabule District Chairperson Patrick Nkalubo said water scarcity remains one of the district's biggest development challenges because underground water is difficult to access in many areas.
Mawogola North Member of Parliament Aine Sodo Kaguta urged residents to support government infrastructure projects instead of frustrating their implementation.
"Government projects are intended to benefit wananchi. Allowing water pipelines to pass through your land does not stop you from farming because you can simply cover them with soil and continue using your land," Kaguta said.
State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Shartsi Musherure Kutesa, who championed the project, called for additional government funding to expand the water network to the rest of the district.
"The designs have already been completed. We have engaged National Water, and once the new financial year begins, we hope more funding will be released so that this water network can be extended to cover the entire district," Musherure said.
Residents expressed optimism that the investment will transform livelihoods by reducing the time spent searching for water, improving sanitation, supporting livestock production and boosting economic activity.
While the current drought continues to expose the vulnerability of communities that depend on seasonal water sources, local leaders believe the new piped water system is a significant milestone towards securing reliable access to clean water for thousands of households across Sembabule District.
