The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is stepping up efforts to improve water supply in Hoima City as Uganda prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with its emergency water supply project now 37% complete. The initiative is aimed at increasing water production and ensuring that key facilities, including Hoima City Stadium and Kabalega International Airport, have access to reliable water services ahead of the continental football tournament.
The NWSC Board recently inspected ongoing construction works, assessed completed water connections to Hoima City Stadium and reviewed plans to extend water supply to Kabalega International Airport. The inspection forms part of efforts to monitor progress and ensure that critical water infrastructure is developed in time to support the expected increase in visitors, sporting activities and other services during AFCON 2027.Project Manager Eng. Denis Taremwa said the Hoima Emergency Water Supply Project is designed to increase production capacity and improve the reliability of water supply to the city.
He explained that construction teams had made progress on several components and were working towards completing the project for commissioning in February 2027. The project is expected to strengthen Hoima’s water supply system while supporting the city’s continued growth.The project includes the construction of a raw water intake on River Kafu and a treatment plant at Rwoga with a daily capacity of 2,000 cubic metres. It also involves laying a 2.9-kilometre raw water pipeline, constructing a 300-cubic-metre storage and balancing reservoir, and installing a 22-kilometre treated water pipeline from Kikuube to Hoima City. These facilities are intended to improve the movement, treatment and storage of water before it reaches consumers.During the Board’s inspection, excavation and concrete blinding for the treatment plant units had been completed, while excavation at the water intake site had reached 90%. Steel reinforcement and concrete works at the treatment plant stood at 15%, pipeline surveys were complete, and electricity extension works had reached 50%. The progress highlights the work still required to bring the project to completion before the planned commissioning date.
Meanwhile, NWSC has already completed and commissioned water supply connections to Hoima City Stadium, one of the key facilities expected to support AFCON 2027. The works involved developing two boreholes at Mparo and Kyarwiru, with production capacities of 25 cubic metres per hour and 15 cubic metres per hour, respectively. Both boreholes have been connected to the stadium, providing a dedicated water source to support its operations ahead of the tournament.Beyond the stadium, NWSC is planning a major water supply extension to Kabalega International Airport, which is expected to play an important role in handling increased travel during the tournament. The proposed works include upgrading the Kafu Water Treatment Plant from 2,000 to 3,000 cubic metres per day, laying a 36-kilometre bulk transfer pipeline made of DN200 uPVC and steel, and constructing a 200-cubic-metre water storage reservoir at the airport.
The planned expansion is intended to increase production and extend reliable water services to the airport.The ongoing and proposed projects form part of NWSC’s broader efforts to strengthen Hoima’s water infrastructure as the city prepares for increased demand associated with AFCON 2027. While the stadium’s water connections have been completed, the emergency supply project remains under construction and the airport extension is still at the planning stage. Their timely implementation will be important in supporting tournament preparations, improving access to water for essential facilities and meeting Hoima’s long-term urban development needs.
