Kenya, Uganda Sign $137M Deal for Angololo Water Project
In a landmark move to boost regional cooperation and sustainable development, Kenya and Uganda sign $137M water project agreement to implement the Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWRDP). The initiative aims to enhance food security, water supply, energy access, and regional integration for over 300,000 people living along the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Sub-basin.
A Historic Bilateral Partnership
The agreement was signed in Busia County by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Muga, and Uganda’s Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim Anywar. The project, first identified in 2010 and developed in 2015, is now being brought to life under the Nile Basin Initiative’s Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP).
It is co-funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF).
“This project will create employment for our people here and our neighbor Uganda, and supply clean water to more than 300,000 people,” said CS Muga.
Key Infrastructure and Development Components
The project includes the construction of:
- A 40-metre-high dam with a capacity of 31.6 million cubic metres
- A 1.3 MW mini hydropower plant
- A proposed 20 MW floating solar power system
- A 4,000-hectare irrigation scheme (47% in Kenya, 53% in Uganda)
- Restoration of *30% of a 447 km² degraded catchment area
These components are expected to deliver clean energy, climate resilience, and increased agricultural productivity on both sides of the border.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The AWRDP is set to begin construction in the 2026/2027 financial year, with full operations anticipated by 2030. Youth in areas like Teso North will benefit from jobs, training, and service contracts throughout the construction and implementation phases.
Uganda’s Minister Anywar emphasized the project’s alignment with local empowerment and sustainability:
“We have the capability of doing great things if we work together. We need home solutions with fewer conditions without relying much on others.”
Alignment with National Development Visions
The Kenya Uganda Sign $137M Water Project agreement supports broader national development frameworks:
- Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform Kenya into a middle-income country
- Uganda’s Vision 2040, focusing on inclusive and sustainable economic growth
Both governments see AWRDP as a blueprint for cross-border collaboration that prioritizes shared resources, clean energy, and livelihood improvements.
Conclusion
The Angololo Water Resources Development Project marks a turning point in East Africa’s approach to transboundary resource management. As Kenya and Uganda sign $137M water project agreement, the initiative underscores a shared vision: empowering communities, strengthening resilience, and building a sustainable future for generations across the region.
