More towns in Uganda to access clean water supply

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

More towns in Uganda will access to improved water supply as Government plans to get concession loan from the African development Bank to Finance water supply projects in 10 towns across the country.

The concession loan worth a US$ 62-million which has been approved by the Continental Bank will support water projects under the  Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (STWSSP).The project will be implemented in five years period and it aims to  enable the government’s achieve sustainable provision of safe water and sanitation for the urban population by 2030. This in turn will help improved health and productivity in the targeted towns.

The STWSSP will help to tackle these challenges through its three components:  which are Urban Water Supply for the development of water supply systems for the selected towns/districts; and support regional water and sanitation authorities for effective utility management.

Improved Water supply in Bududa more towns will benefit from the African Development Bank Loan

Other component is the Improved Urban Sanitation and Environmental Management for the development of three regional faecal sludge treatment facilities supported by six desludging units; construction of 40 gender-segregated and disabled-friendly public sanitation facilities; and feasibility designs for climate change resilience.

And lastly the third component is the Sector Program Support for the regulatory framework and update of tariff policy; preparation of a framework for implementation of bulk water supply; and strengthening sector co-ordination and monitoring systems.

The primary towns to benefit from the concession loan are Kyenjojo-Katooke (Kyenjojo District), Nakasongola (Nakasongola District), Kayunga-Busana (Kayunga District), Kamuli (Kamuli District), Kapchworwa (Kapchorwa District), Dokolo (Dokolo District), Bundibugyo (Bundibugyo District) and Buikwe (Buikwe District.

On completion, the project will provide access to water and sanitation to 390,000 people by 2023.

The project will contribute to the goals of the Government’s Vision 2040 and the Second National Development Plan (NDP II), which aim to increase access to clean water and sanitation services in the major urban centres and their suburbs to 100% by 2030.

The STWSSP complements the Bank’s previous engagements such as the Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project, Kampala Sanitation Project, Kampala Urban Poor Project, Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation Program, and Water Supply and Sanitation Program phase I and II.

The project, aligned to the Bank’s Uganda Country Strategy for 2017-2021, will accelerate the implementation of its Ten-Year Strategy, 2013-2022 as well as the High5 priority of Improving the Quality of life for the people of Africa.

The STWSSP is estimated to cost US$ 69.34 million, of which African Development Fund (ADF), will provide US$ 62.33 million, and US$ 6.94 million counterpart contribution from the Government of Uganda.