Busia, Kenya — Uganda and Kenya have officially kicked off the $137 million Angololo Water Resources Development Project, a landmark cross-border initiative designed to improve food and energy security, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen regional cooperation.
The high-profile launch took place at Busia Breeze Hotel in Kenya and was attended by key government officials, development partners, and stakeholders from both nations. This marks the implementation phase of a project over a decade in the making.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund, the Angololo project is set to benefit over 300,000 residents in Busia and Bungoma counties in Kenya and in Uganda’s Tororo, Namisindwa, and Manafwa districts.
Uganda’s State Minister for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim, hailed the project as a beacon of African unity.
“This is more than infrastructure. It is about integration, economic empowerment, and shared prosperity,” she said. “President Museveni is fully behind this initiative because it strengthens trade ties and delivers real impact to our people.”
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eng. Erick Muriithi, emphasized the dual purpose of the project: “It tackles food insecurity through irrigation and aquaculture while reducing flood risks with robust watershed management.”
What the Project Entails
Under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme (NELSAP), the Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWRDP) will feature:
- A 40-metre-high dam with a storage capacity of 31.6 million cubic meters
- A 1.3 MW mini-hydropower plant with potential for 20MW in solar additions
- A 4,000-hectare irrigation scheme for year-round agriculture
- Water supply networks for domestic and livestock use, reaching 270,000 people
- A fisheries and aquaculture program
- Restoration of 30% of the 447 km² degraded watershed
- Flood control infrastructure to safeguard communities downstream
Ugandan MP Hon. John Musila called it a “lifeline project” and humorously dubbed it “the blood vein” of transformation for the region.
Known for his Rastafarian greetings of “irie” and “bless,” Musila underscored the spiritual and economic upliftment this initiative represents.
The project supports key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, clean water, affordable energy, and climate action.
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya from Uganda’s Water Ministry noted, “This success stems from strong political will and the trust between our nations.”
Beyond the Dam
NELSAP’s Regional Coordinator, Dr. Isaac Alukwe, stressed the people-first approach: “This project is about unlocking potential.
It’s about giving farmers reliable water, creating jobs for youth, and ensuring our women don’t have to walk miles for clean water.”
Women, youth, and persons with disabilities will benefit through job creation, health improvements, and inclusive development programs under Uganda’s Parish Development Model.
The Angololo project is a flagship of regional unity under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). Dr. Florence Adongo, NBI Executive Director, said: “Shared waters are a catalyst for peace and prosperity.”
What’s Next?
With feasibility studies, designs, and environmental assessments complete, the next phase is project structuring and financial close. Construction will follow, with the operational phase expected by 2030.
As Uganda and Kenya join hands to develop shared water resources, the Angololo Dam stands as a powerful testament to homegrown African solutions, built on cooperation, resilience, and a vision of shared growth.
