Uganda Expands Water Plant to Double Capacity to 160M Liters

Engineers in Uganda are working around the clock to complete a major upgrade that will double the water supply for millions of people in Kampala and surrounding areas.

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation temporarily shut down the Katosi Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday to install a massive 1,400-millimeter pipeline. The new pipe is the backbone of a Phase II expansion that will add 80 million liters of clean water per day to the system.

Engineer Andrew Muhweezi, Manager of Water Production at Kampala Water, said the repairs would be finished within 24 hours. Normal water supply will then gradually return to affected neighborhoods in Mukono, Kampala, and Wakiso.

During the shutdown, the Ggaba Water Treatment Plant is providing 69 percent of the city's water needs. Eastern Kampala is drawing on 40 million liters stored in reserves at Nsumba Hill, ensuring no taps run completely dry.

The expansion project represents a major win for Uganda's infrastructure. When complete, the Katosi plant will produce 160 million liters of clean water daily, up from its current 80 million liter capacity.

Engineer Alex Gisagar, Director of Technical Services at NWSC, said teams completed general cleaning at both the Nsumba and Katosi plants before beginning the pipeline installation. Welding, cutting, mechanical work, and concrete casting continued through the night.

The government has already approved 80 million euros in funding for the expansion. Land for the project is secured, and construction is progressing on schedule.

The Ripple Effect

Doubling water production capacity means hundreds of thousands more families will have reliable access to clean water in their homes. The upgrade also builds long-term resilience, reducing the frequency of future shutdowns and improving water pressure across the network.

The maintenance work demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments create lasting benefits. Rather than quick fixes, Uganda is building systems designed to serve growing populations for generations.

By tomorrow evening, water flow will stabilize across affected areas, and the expanded pipeline will be ready to support decades of growth.