BUHWEJU,UGANDA – Buhweju District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama, has updated the people of Buhweju on steps being taken to address the serious water and sanitation challenges affecting Town Councils and emerging growth centres in the district.
In an update dated 27th September 2026, Hon. Nnamara revealed that on 8th June 2026 she formally wrote to the Ministry of Water and Environment requesting the inclusion of Buhweju’s urban centres and emerging growth centres in the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Resilience Project (WSIRP) for FY2026/27 to FY2030/31.
She has now received a formal response dated 14th September 2026, Ref. No. WURD/96/250/01, from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi.
According to the PS, the Ministry has taken note of her advocacy and the evidence presented.
He acknowledged her advocacy, stating: *”I acknowledge your advocacy on behalf of the people of Buhweju District and the comprehensive evidence presented regarding the water and sanitation challenges in the district. The Ministry’s technical assessment is consistent with the situation presented in your submission.”*
He further acknowledged the severity of the service gap in Buhweju, noting: *”In particular, effective per capita water consumption of 15 to 20 litres per day against the Ministry’s design standard of 64 litres per capita per day, piped water access below 10 percent of the urban population, and the reported dependence of approximately 70 percent of households on unprotected springs and other unsafe sources demonstrate a significant service delivery gap. The limited sanitation infrastructure further presents public health and economic development concerns.”*
According to the PS, the Ministry shares the urgency of addressing the gap. He appreciated the need for action, writing: *”The Ministry therefore shares the urgency of addressing this gap and remains committed to working with your office and Buhweju District Local Government towards a sustainable solution.”*
He however explained why Buhweju cannot be immediately added to the current WSIRP. According to the PS, *”the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Resilience Project has already been structured, appraised and financed in accordance with the DC Guidelines and the Public Investment Management System/Framework. Its approved scope, service area boundaries, components and budget allocations were established following demand modelling, prioritization and due diligence, and the current financing envelope is fully committed to the defined project area and activities.”*
Hon. Nnamara said this clarification is important because it means Buhweju’s case has been technically recognised, and the issue is about resource mobilisation and project approval, not rejection.
To move forward, the Ministry has proposed a comprehensive technical assessment of Buhweju’s selected urban and growth centres covering existing water systems, population and demand, infrastructure gaps, Non-Revenue Water, sanitation requirements, climate vulnerability, renewable-energy options and the appropriate site for a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) for Town Councils and surrounding growth centres. The assessment is expected to be completed within 60 working days after mobilisation of the technical team.
The findings will then provide the evidence required to advocate for resources under the FY2027/28 budget and to support a subsequent extension of the WSIRP scope to Buhweju.
Hon. Nnamara said the process has now moved beyond letters to technical work and appealed to Buhweju District Local Government, Town Councils, Sub-counties, Water User Committees, private operators and community leaders to cooperate fully by providing accurate information on water sources, making available infrastructure reports and revenue records, facilitating access to facilities and proposed sites, participating in consultations and validation, supporting identification of land for sanitation infrastructure, and strengthening community ownership and sensitisation on responsible water use, metering, tariffs and payment discipline.
She pledged to continue engaging the Ministry and district leadership to ensure Buhweju is ready when the investment opportunity comes, thanking the Ministry for responding and providing a clear pathway forward.
End.
