The construction of Shs125 billion Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project is 97 per cent complete, with testing and commissioning expected to pave the way for improved water supply in Mbale City and neighbouring districts.
The project, implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), is funded by the World Bank under the Integrated Water Management and Development Project (IWMDP).
Eng. Gilbert Mukago, NWSC general manager for Eastern Uganda, said residents should expect a major improvement in water supply within the next month.
“The project is over 97 per cent complete. In about a month, water supply in Mbale City will be better. We are looking at supplying an average of 10 million litres a day,” Mr Mukago said.
He said completion of all the main water plants would raise the city’s production capacity to more than 30 million litres a day, easing persistent shortages.
The project is also expected to extend reliable water supply to underserved areas in Mbale city, including Mooni, Nabweya, Nakaloke, Kireka, Kabwangasi and Kolonyi and neighbouring areas.
Eng. Denis Agea, the NWSC project manager, said the expansion would increase the area’s daily water production capacity from 18 million litres to 30 million litres.
Residents and local leaders in Sironko District, where the project is being implemented, welcomed the development but raised concerns about community engagement.
Sadam Magombe, LC1 chairman of Kisoyi Cell in Bumadibira Ward, said the project would improve access to clean water and could also support the extension of electricity and road works in the area.
Christopher Wodidi, LC2 chairman of Bumadibira, noted that, residents have been struggling to access safe water but now expect the project to ease the burden.
Hakim Magombe, LC1 chairman of Maku Cell, said women and children currently walk long distances to fetch water.
However, he urged project managers to improve communication with local leaders, saying poor engagement had created tensions with residents.
