New Rwf20 billion water treatment plant to supply Muhanga and Kamonyi by 2030

The Kagaga Water Supply System is being built in Murama Village, Remera Cell, Muhanga Sector, as authorities seek to address growing water demand driven by population growth and urban expansion.

Preparatory work has included relocating some residents living in the project area, constructing accommodation for workers and preparing the site where water from the Kagaga and Makurungwe rivers will be channelled together.

The combined water flows into the wider Bakokwe River, from which water will be drawn for treatment at the new plant.

Eng. Dr Bagaragaza Romuald, who works for the Chinese company awarded the construction contract, told UMUSEKE that the facility would produce more than 12,000 cubic metres of water daily.

“Once construction of the water treatment plant is complete, we plan to build a large reservoir to distribute water to different sectors of Muhanga town and four additional sectors in Kamonyi District,” he said.

Bagaragaza added that the project would also include equipment to increase the volume of water flowing through existing distribution networks installed by the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC).

For residents whose properties are affected by the project, however, compensation remains a concern.

Mujawamariya Médiatrice, one of the affected residents, said their properties had been assessed but they were still waiting for compensation to enable them to relocate.

“Our request is for WASAC to compensate us so that we can relocate as soon as possible,” she said.

She added that delays in receiving the money were disrupting their agricultural activities.

Other residents have welcomed the project, saying it would bring water closer to communities that have struggled to access reliable supplies.

Iyakaremye Libératha said people who previously lacked access to water or had to fetch it from low-lying areas would benefit from the new infrastructure.

“We used to fetch water from the area around where the plant is being built. Now, water will be brought closer to us,” she said.

Muhanga District Mayor Kayitare Jacqueline said the project came at a critical time, as the town had expanded and its existing water supply had struggled to keep pace with population growth.

“We expect the Kagaga project to provide a much-needed solution to the water shortages affecting residents of Muhanga town and surrounding areas,” she said.

Kayitare stressed the importance of accurately assessing residents’ properties to ensure fair compensation and prevent disputes over the value of affected assets.

She said a government valuer would assess the properties and submit the findings to the District Council for approval.

While some residents are still waiting for compensation, others have already received payments. Some have completed building new homes, while others said they had started mining and livestock-rearing projects using the money they received.

The Kagaga water supply project is expected to cost more than Rwf20 billion, with the plant projected to begin supplying water in 2030.

UMUSEKE.