NWSC moves to save and harness R. Kagera.

By Chris Mugasha

In a move to address the growing demand for water, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is constructing a new intake on river Kagera at Nshungezi, Kikagati Sub County in Isingiro district.

 This is part of the wider plan to improve the current water network and sanitation systems for Mbarara city, Lyantonde and parts of Isingiro district.

It is expected that once the project is completed, R. Kagera will end the issue of water stress in the above areas and the several parts of the Western region and Central.

The River Kagera is however experiencing challenges in regards to water quality and quantity due to a number of activities which are silently degrading it.

 Also, as the population along the river banks is expected to increase, there is found to be an impact on water access and supply resulting into human activity.

As a result, National Water and Sewerage Corporation has therefore developed a strategy of protecting the water sources upstream in the delineated area.

“Water source protection reduces health and environmental risks preventing exposure to contaminated water,” explains Paul Kahiigi, the NWSC Principal Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Western region. He also notes that water source protection protects the habitat of aquatic life, and ensures availability and quality of water supply.

According to Kahiigi, protecting the source from contamination will also help reduce treatment costs and may avoid or defer the need for complex treatment.

Some of the mitigation controls identified include; construction of alternative safe water sources for animals (Including troughs and valley dams), improvement of sanitary services, reforestation with indigenous trees in identified suitable   areas  within the catchment, improvement in agricultural technology and farmers access to markets, stop establishment of plantation forests in wetlands along river banks and naturally grassy hills, restoration of degraded areas within the catchment, maintaining naturally grassy hills within the catchment among others.  

Kahiigi said stakeholder identification was undertaken and reported freely as part of the stakeholder engagement planning component.  Stakeholders consulted include: the directorate of water resources management including the Team Leader, Victoria Water management zone, chairpersons of water source protection teams, District Environment Officers, District water Officers, other stakeholders consulted were National Environment management Authority Regional office in Mbarara.

About R.Kagera

The water source lies in a basin of River Kagyera the largest tributary flowing into Lake Victoria. The river is formed by the confluence of Ruvuba and Nyabarongo rivers which are fed by streams originating in the high lands of Burundi and Rwanda. In Uganda it traverses six districts that include Kabale, Ntungamo, Isingiro, Kiruhura and Rakai.

The proposed Kagyera intake facility is located in Rubizi parish Ruyanga Sub county Isingiro District in south western Uganda. The district borders Tanzania in the north ward is separated by River Kagyera. It also borders by Mbarara and Rwampara district in the North west, Kiruhura district in the North and Ntungamo district in the West.

The site is located in an open area consisting less vegetation slight gradiate and closer to the proposed water treatment area. Watering of farmlands and cultivation are the only evident land use activities practiced close to the proposed intake point.  Communities navigate with boats up stream of the proposed site.

Water Users in Kagera Catchement-Isingiro

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