The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, has launched the construction of two separate piped water supply and sanitation systems worth Shs 47 billion to improve access to safe water and sanitation in Kabale and Rubanda districts.
In Kabale District, the Bugarama–Karweru Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System will cover nine parishes and 117 villages in the sub-counties of Maziba, Buhara and Kyanamira in Ndorwa East, serving an estimated population of 43,164 people upon completion.
The system will use a combination of pumping and gravity flow, drawing water from Kahama, Kashija, Kacuro springs and Lake Bunyonyi.
Key infrastructure under the Bugarama–Karweru project includes:
A modern water treatment plant
200m³ concrete reservoirs at Mishundo Catholic Church and Keirungu Church of Uganda
A 50m³ concrete tank at Bugarama Primary School
A 15m³ concrete tank at Hamubuga
A 40m³ steel tank mounted on a 10-metre tower at Omukagana
The project also provides for the construction of an office block and chemical houses, extension of three-phase power lines, 30 public standpipes, 500 promotional yard taps in Bugarama and 800 in Karweru, as well as two institutional VIP latrines (five stances each) for Bugarama and Karweru.
In Rubanda District, the Rwere–Kateretere Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System will serve 51 villages in six parishes, benefiting over 20,000 residents in Bubare Sub-county, Bubare Town Council and Nyamweru Sub-county in Rubanda East.
Key components of the Rwere–Kateretere project include:
A modern water treatment plant
Booster surface pumps at Lake Bunyonyi, St Peter’s Cathedral Rugarama and the existing NWSC tank at Rwere
A 300m³ ground concrete tank at Rwere
Construction of a new office block
Five public standposts
800 promotional yard tap connections
An institutional waterborne toilet with six stances
Both projects are being implemented under the Climate Smart Water and Sanitation Investment Project (CWIP), designed to expand access to clean water, improve household and institutional sanitation, and reduce community vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
The contract has been awarded to M/S Vidas Engineering Services Company Limited under Contract No. MoWE/WRKS/2024-2025/00102. According to Eng. Enoch Mwanje, the South-western and Rwenzori Branch Manager of the Water and Sanitation Development Programme, the Bugarama–Karweru and Rwere–Kateretere systems form part of a broader multi-component national initiative.
Speaking at the launch held at Kateretere Primary School, Kashenyi Parish on Friday, Rubanda District LC5 Chairman, Stephen Ampaire Kasyaba said the project will address chronic water shortages and transform service delivery in the region. He also urged close community cooperation and strict adherence to quality standards.
Rubanda Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Muhuta Mathias Ankitore warned the contractor against doing substandard work, stressing that government expects value for money.
He also appealed to residents to safeguard government infrastructure and support ongoing development projects.
Eng. Dr Robert Kakiza, Manager of VIDAS Engineering Services, pledged to complete the works within the 12-month contract period and to deliver quality infrastructure.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Assistant Commissioner Eng. Dr Felix Twinomucunguzi underscored the importance of protecting the investment. He cautioned residents against vandalizing water infrastructure for scrap, saying such acts undermine government efforts and delay community progress.
He also encouraged households to construct improved latrines to reduce cases of diarrhoea and other sanitation-related diseases.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Minister of Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi said the project will expand access to safe and clean water, reduce the distance people walk in search of water, ease pressure on overcrowded and unsafe sources, and promote equity in service delivery between rural and urban areas.
He reaffirmed his commitment to improving service delivery in Rubanda East through better access to water, electricity, healthcare and education and urged residents to cooperate with contractors and district leaders to ensure timely completion of the projects.
