Design Phase Begins for Kampala’s Sustainable Sanitation
Kampala, Uganda – A significant milestone in the journey toward sustainable sanitation for the community has entered a new phase of progress, namely the design phase. As part of the “Lake Victoria Basin – Integrated Water Resource Management Programme,” the launch of this phase of the High Priority Investment (HPI) project under the Lake Victoria Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Programme marks a key moment for communities in Kampala.
Following the successful completion of a feasibility study in 2023, the design phase for Kampala’s project began with a Kick-off Meeting on October 23rd of 2024.
During this phase, consultants will develop a design for pumping stations, pressure pipes, and sewer network to transfer wastewater from parts of the South of Luzira Sub-catchment Area (SOLCA) to the Nakivubo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
This plan is aligned with the updated 2022 Kampala Sanitation Report which identifies key investment areas to expand Kampala’s sewer network. The consultant’s approach prioritizes robust, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
Currently, untreated sewage from the SOLCA area is discharged into aging treatment ponds that no longer function effectively, allowing contaminated water to flow directly into Inner Murchison Bay in Lake Victoria. The planned upgrades will route this wastewater to the Nakivubo WWTP, where treatment is expected to remove approximately 1.8 tons of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)—a key measure of organic pollution that depletes oxygen in water—each day. This reduction will contribute to protecting Lake Victoria’s ecosystem and improve the water quality which benefits the local community.
In partnership with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), CES-AKUT and project stakeholders aim to complete the wastewater connection for SOLCA by 2027. This significant milestone will mark a major step forward in safeguarding Lake Victoria and ensuring sustainable water quality for the region.
Kick-off Meeting for the Detailed Design Phase
Team during a field visit along the proposed pressure main route