By Uganda and Kenya have jointly launched the $137 million Angololo Water Resources Development Project, a transformative cross-border initiative aimed at improving food security, energy generation, and access to clean water for over 300,000 people in the two countries.
The launch ceremony, held at Busia Breeze Hotel in Kenya, was marked by renewed commitments from both governments to deepen regional cooperation and deliver sustainable development to communities living along the shared border. The project will benefit districts in Busia and Bungoma (Kenya) and Tororo, Namisindwa, and Manafwa (Uganda).
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Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), the project will be implemented under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) of the Nile Basin Initiative. It includes the construction of a 40-metre-high dam, a 1.3MW mini-hydropower plant, a 4,000-hectare irrigation scheme, aquaculture facilities, clean water supply systems, and flood protection infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Uganda’s State Minister for Environment, Beatrice Anywar Atim, hailed the project as a symbol of Pan-African cooperation and a beacon of local solutions to regional challenges. “This project warms our relationship with Kenya and reflects the spirit of a united Africa,” she said. “It brings homemade solutions to our people irrigation, fisheries, employment, and sustainable development.”
She emphasized that the project aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and Kenya’s Vision 2030, and has the full backing of President Yoweri Museveni. “This initiative will not only improve livelihoods but also support peacebuilding and regional stability by strengthening joint resource management,” she added.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eng. Erick Muriithi, said the project is a lifeline for border communities and will play a vital role in flood control, aquaculture development, and food production. He praised the collaborative planning process that led to the current phase of implementation.
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NELSAP Regional Coordinator Dr. Isaac Alukwe described the Angololo project as people-centered and transformative. “This project is not just about infrastructure it’s about improving lives, empowering communities, and unlocking economic potential,” he said. He noted that the project integrates climate-smart measures, including watershed restoration and plans for floating solar energy systems that could generate up to 20MW in the future.
MP John Musila of Bubulo East, Namisindwa District, expressed strong support for the project, describing it as a “blood vein” in the lives of the people it will serve. “This is not a promise. This is a tool for transformation,” he said, adding a cultural touch by punctuating his remarks with “irie” and “bless.”
Nile Basin Initiative Executive Director Dr. Florence Adongo welcomed the project as a success story in shared water resource management. “The journey from planning to implementation has not been easy, but today marks a milestone in using shared waters as a catalyst for peace and prosperity,” she said.
The groundwork for the Angololo project began over a decade ago with support from the governments of Sweden and Norway. In 2015, it was formally endorsed by the Nile Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers. Detailed feasibility studies and environmental assessments were carried out between 2020 and 2022, setting the stage for the current implementation phase.
Once completed, the Angololo project is expected to significantly enhance agricultural production, energy supply, and water access, while improving resilience to climate change and strengthening cross-border economic ties. Construction is expected to begin following the conclusion of tendering processes, with project operations anticipated by 2030. Ministries of Water and Environment in both countries will oversee implementation, supported by NELSAP’s technical guidance.
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