Hoima Gets Shs14.2 Billion Water Project Ahead Of AFCON 2027

The Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has unveiled a Shs14.24 billion water project for Hoima City to boost supply ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

NWSC Managing Director Dr Mugisha announced the project on Tuesday during a media briefing at the corporation’s headquarters in Nakasero. He said it forms part of the government’s investment in key infrastructure ahead of the tournament and will support the growth of the Albertine Region as Uganda’s oil and gas hub.

Hoima is among the Ugandan cities selected to host matches, alongside Kampala and Lira, as Uganda co-hosts the continental tournament with Kenya and Tanzania from June to July 2027.

Dr Mugisha said the project will draw raw water from River Kafu in Kikuube District, treat it at a new conventional water treatment plant, and transmit it to Hoima City through a bulk water transfer system.

The project will deliver a plant with capacity to produce 2,000 cubic metres of water daily, about 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines, and a 300-cubic-metre elevated steel reservoir at Musaijamukulu Hill. It will also include pumping, electrical and storage infrastructure.

Dr Mugisha said the project, named Hoima 2, will support the existing Hoima 1 system, which has served the city for years but can no longer meet demand because of urbanisation, population growth and industrial activity linked to the oil and gas sector.

"The current system is no longer sufficient to adequately meet the water needs of Hoima City and its surrounding areas," he said, calling Hoima 2 an urgent intervention to close the supply gap in the short to medium term.

He said the government and NWSC are also finalising designs for the longer-term Hoima 3 Water Supply System, which will expand water production, transmission and storage capacity. The two systems will later be integrated into one network to improve efficiency and resilience.

"NWSC, therefore, appeals to government to make available the required funding for implementation of the Hoima 3 Water Supply System immediately upon completion of the designs," Dr Mugisha said. "Timely investment in Hoima 3 will secure the long-term water future of Hoima City and support Uganda's broader economic transformation agenda."

The current project is jointly funded by the Government of Uganda and NWSC. It is expected to take eight months to complete.

Zhonghao Overseas Construction Engineering Company Limited is carrying out the works. Dr Mugisha asked the contractor to deliver the project within time and cost, warning that delays would not be accepted.

"Time delays will not be acceptable," he said.

Zhonghao Overseas Construction Engineering Company Limited was represented at the briefing by Managing Director Ma Yongqian and Deputy Managing Director Wang Feifei. The contractor committed to delivering the project within cost and time and pledged to maintain quality standards throughout construction.

The firm also pledged to comply with local content requirements. It said it will employ local workers during implementation to support communities in Hoima.

Dr Mugisha said the project will improve the reliability and quality of Hoima’s water supply, reduce shortages in parts of the city, support urban growth and industrialisation, and strengthen the region’s readiness for AFCON 2027.