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Busia, Uganda – The Governments of Kenya and Uganda, in collaboration with the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) through its Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), have launched the implementation phase of the Angololo Water Resources Development Project, a $137 million transboundary initiative designed to transform lives across the shared Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) River sub-basin.
The project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund, is set to bring direct benefits to more than 300,000 people in Busia and Bungoma Counties (Kenya) and Tororo, Namisindwa, and Manafwa Districts (Uganda).
Project Background
The Angololo Water Resources Development Project was first identified in 2010 by the Republics of Kenya and Uganda through the Sio Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin Management Project, under the coordination of NELSAP. The goal was clear: to promote modernized irrigated agriculture and support both countries’ national development visions Kenya Vision 2030 and Uganda Vision 2040.
With grant support from the Royal Governments of Sweden and Norway, NELSAP undertook initial pre-feasibility studies. These formed the foundation for the project’s inclusion in the African Development Bank (AfDB) Indicative Operations Pipeline in 2018.
Following a formal request by both countries, and with endorsement from the 18th Nile Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers (NELCOM) meeting in 2015, NELSAP secured grant financing from the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund to prepare the project for investment.
Between 2020 and 2022, comprehensive preparatory work was carried out: feasibility studies, detailed designs, environmental and social assessments, and a resettlement framework. This effort brought together international consultants, national technical experts, community stakeholders, and local governments.
Now, with the groundwork complete, Kenya and Uganda are moving forward with joint implementation under the framework of the Nile Basin Initiative, with NELSAP continuing to provide technical coordination and oversight.
Transformative Infrastructure for Shared Prosperity
The Angololo project includes:
- A 40-meter-high composite dam with a 31.6 million cubic meter storage capacity
- A 1.3 MW mini-hydropower plant to boost rural electrification, with the plan to add solar floating pontoons in the reservoir, generating 20 MW.
- A 4,000-hectare irrigation scheme for year-round farming
- A domestic and livestock water supply network to serve over 270,000 people
- Restoration of 30% of the 447 km² degraded watershed upstream of the dam
- A fisheries and aquaculture program to support food security and local enterprise
- Flood control infrastructure to protect farmland and homes downstream
Benefits for Local Communities
The project’s multi-sectoral approach will lead to improved food security, public health, job creation, and resilience to climate change, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Farmers will benefit from access to irrigated land, improved yields, and reduced dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
Households will gain access to clean and reliable water, reducing time spent fetching water and improving health outcomes.
Youth will access new job opportunities in agriculture, construction, aquaculture, and support services.
Women will benefit from reduced water burden, new business opportunities in farming and trading, and inclusive development programs under the Parish Development Model (Uganda).
Schools, health centres, and businesses will benefit from a reliable electricity and water supply, unlocking new potential for community development.
Driving Regional Integration
- Beyond community-level benefits, the Angololo project is a powerful symbol of transboundary cooperation and economic integration. It is expected to:
- Enhance cross-border trade in agricultural products and energy
- Improve climate resilience through watershed management and green growth initiatives
- Support peacebuilding and joint resource management between Kenya and Uganda
- Aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030, Uganda’s Vision 2040, and key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 & 13), the project is a flagship model for sustainable, cooperative development in East Africa.
“This project is not just about infrastructure; it’s about people,” said a NELSAP official. “It will empower communities, unlock economic potential, and build resilience in the face of climate and development challenges.” Regional Coordinator NELSAP-CU Dr. Isaac Alukwe, PhD.
