Kampala’s rapid urban growth is transforming not only the city’s skyline and population, but also the demands placed on its water and sanitation infrastructure.
As new residential areas, commercial developments and high-rise buildings continue to emerge across the metropolitan area, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) says it is investing heavily in new infrastructure to ensure water and sewage services keep pace with the changing city.
Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, General Manager of Kampala Water at NWSC, described the expansion of Kampala’s water system as a moving target, with the corporation constantly having to extend its network to reach newly developed areas.
Lutaaya said Kampala’s water infrastructure has roots dating back nearly a century. The Ggaba 1 treatment plant, constructed in 1930, remains part of the city’s water production system, despite the enormous changes Kampala has undergone since then.
“Some of the infrastructure in the city dates as far back as when the population was between 30,000 and 50,000,” Lutaaya explained, noting that Kampala’s population and physical footprint have grown dramatically, particularly over the past 20 years.
Today, the main production systems are centred around Ggaba, which has three plants, and Katosi. The Katosi Water Treatment Plant, which became operational in July 2021, has been described by NWSC as a game changer for Kampala’s water supply.
According to Lutaaya, Katosi currently produces approximately 160,000 cubic metres of water per day, equivalent to 160 million litres. Combined with Ggaba’s production, Kampala has an estimated production capacity of about 390,000 cubic metres, or 390 million litres, per day.
Daily demand, meanwhile, is estimated at approximately 300 million litres.
The expansion is reflected in the number of customers connected to the system. Lutaaya said NWSC had about 75,000 customers in Kampala around two decades ago, compared with nearly 500,000 customers today.
The network itself has also expanded significantly, while revenue generated from Kampala’s water operations has risen from about Shs3.8 billion two decades ago to approximately Shs34 billion today.
But despite the progress, access to water remains uneven across the metropolitan area.
Lutaaya identified several areas in western Kampala and surrounding parts of Wakiso as continuing to experience intermittent supply. These include Matugga, Nansana, parts of Kawempe, Wakiso, Kira, Kachiri and Budo.
To address these challenges, NWSC is implementing a major infrastructure project involving nearly 70 kilometres of new water transmission pipelines and several large reservoirs.
The project, which began in 2025 after being signed in September 2024, is expected to be completed in August 2027. However, NWSC says some sections will be commissioned before the overall project is completed.
The corporation is also using short-term measures, including boreholes, to support communities experiencing unreliable supply. Lutaaya said NWSC currently has about 15 boreholes serving as temporary interventions while major infrastructure projects are developed.
He explained that the system is particularly sensitive to power interruptions. When pumping stations lose power and parts of the network drain, restoring stable supply can take several days.
Storage is therefore another critical component of the system. NWSC currently has approximately 140,000 cubic metres, equivalent to 140 million litres, of water storage capacity across its Kampala network.
While water production has expanded significantly, Lutaaya acknowledged that sanitation and sewerage services have not grown at the same pace.
NWSC operates several wastewater treatment facilities, including the Nakivubo, Bugolobi and Kinawataka systems, alongside smaller treatment facilities and ponds. These facilities are designed to collect and treat wastewater generated across different catchment areas.
At the Nakivubo wastewater treatment facility, NWSC is able to treat tens of thousands of cubic metres of wastewater daily, while also generating electricity from waste. Lutaaya said approximately 80 per cent of the electricity used at the facility is generated from its own waste treatment processes.
The corporation has also invested in sewer extensions, wastewater treatment upgrades and specialised treatment systems for institutions such as hospitals.
However, much of Kampala continues to rely on on-site sanitation, highlighting the need for further investment in sewer networks.
Lutaaya said NWSC has several projects planned or underway to address these challenges, including sewer upgrades and sanitation interventions in different parts of the city.
The corporation is also preparing for another phase of expansion at Katosi. Although the plant was designed to eventually produce about 240,000 cubic metres per day, it currently produces around 160,000. An additional 80,000 cubic metres of capacity is expected to be added.
Once that expansion is completed, Kampala’s overall production capacity could approach 480,000 cubic metres per day.
Further plans include projects targeting Wakiso West and rapidly growing areas around Kajjansi, Wakiso and other parts of the metropolitan area.
Lutaaya said the corporation is also upgrading water infrastructure in areas such as Kololo, where high-density developments are replacing older low-density properties.
A pipe network originally designed to supply a single bungalow, he explained, may now be required to serve dozens of apartments or housing units.
This changing pattern of development is creating a constant need to upgrade existing infrastructure.
“Where it used to have a bungalow, then you end up with 50 units,” Lutaaya said, highlighting the pressure created by Kampala’s vertical growth.
Climate change is adding another layer of difficulty. During dry spells, demand rises while water systems face additional pressure. NWSC also continues to deal with vandalism, illegal connections, water theft and the increasing theft of water meters.
Despite these challenges, Lutaaya said the corporation is confident that ongoing and planned projects will significantly improve reliability, particularly in areas currently experiencing intermittent supply.
For Kampala, the challenge is no longer simply producing enough water. It is building and maintaining a system capable of following a city that continues to expand in every direction.
As the metropolitan area grows, NWSC’s task, Lutaaya suggested, will remain a race to stay ahead of demand — one pipeline, reservoir and treatment plant at a time.
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