Uganda has unveiled a US$1.8 billion national strategy aimed at expanding access to clean water and sanitation services over the next five years, as authorities seek to address persistent infrastructure gaps and rising climate-related pressures.
The plan, announced by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), covers the period 2025–2030 and is valued at 6.79 trillion Ugandan shillings.
Officials said the programme will be financed through a mix of domestic resources, government allocations and support from development partners.
The initiative is designed to improve access to safe drinking water, strengthen sanitation systems, create jobs and support broader economic development across the country.
A key focus of the strategy is improving operational efficiency by reducing non-revenue water losses from 34% to 28%, a move expected to boost the financial sustainability of the utility and enhance service delivery.
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The NWSC also plans to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to protect water systems from droughts, floods and other climate-related shocks that have increasingly disrupted supply in recent years.
Uganda faces significant water and sanitation challenges, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas where infrastructure development has struggled to keep pace with population growth.
In the capital, Kampala, only about 10% of residents are connected to the public sewer network, leaving the majority dependent on alternative sanitation systems.
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While access to basic sanitation facilities is relatively widespread, waste treatment infrastructure remains limited, especially in informal settlements and low-income neighbourhoods.
Authorities estimate that households spend approximately $5 million annually treating diseases linked to poor sanitation, particularly diarrhoeal infections.
The Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Water Security Action and Investment Plan, valued at $4.3 billion, complements the new NWSC strategy and aims to improve water resource management, expand infrastructure and support long-term urban resilience through 2040.
Under the new five-year plan, NWSC aims to increase the number of people served to 26.2 million by 2030, up from 19.5 million currently.
It also targets expansion of water connections to 1.29 million households, businesses and institutions nationwide.
Officials say the strategy is part of a broader effort to modernise Uganda’s water sector and align infrastructure development with population growth, urbanisation and climate adaptation needs.
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The government argues that improved access to clean water and sanitation will have wide-ranging benefits, including better public health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs and stronger economic productivity.
However, analysts note that achieving these targets will depend heavily on sustained financing, efficient project execution and the ability to maintain infrastructure in the face of climate variability.
If successfully implemented, the programme could significantly narrow Uganda’s water access gap and strengthen the country’s long-term development trajectory.
