By KT Reporter
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has opened discussions with the Ministry of Works and Transport to install guard rails along the Karuma-Gulu highway to protect water pipelines from recurrent damage caused by motorists. The move follows repeated incidents of vehicles crashing into sections of the transmission pipes laid under the multi-billion Karuma-Gulu Water Project.
At least three separate accidents have been reported since last year, the latest occurring on August 26, when a lorry rammed into a pipeline at Apworocero Swamp in Oyam District, causing cracks.
Fred Businge, NWSC Area Manager for Gulu Station, said repair works are ongoing while talks continue with the Ministry of Works to erect guard rails along the highway. He added that discussions on protective measures began last year with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) before it merged under the Ministry of Works.
Businge noted that pipeline damages are costly, with an average replacement costing 26 million shillings per pipe. The contractor, Denys NV, installed DN500 ductile iron water pipes along the 69.5-kilometre transmission line. The contractor has returned on site to handle repairs on the latest damaged section.
As a temporary measure, Businge said the contractor has started reinforcing exposed pipes with concrete to minimise further damage.
Ivan Tekakwo, NWSC Communications Officer for the Northern Region, said the latest incident was minor and did not disrupt the water supply, but highlighted recurring leakages along the line. Tekakwo also revealed a new challenge: vandals have been targeting metallic clamps on pipe joints. Over 100 clamps have already been stolen and sold to scrap dealers. To address this, the contractor has reinforced 150 joints with concrete, aiming to secure up to 1,000 more, though he noted that the process is costly.
The Karuma-Gulu Water Project transmits water from the main treatment plant in Nora Village, Oyam District, through the 69.5-kilometre pipeline to Gulu City. The line passes through six peri-urban centres: Karuma, Kamdini, Minakulu, Bobi, Palenga, and Koro Abili. Jointly funded by the Government of Uganda, KfW, and the World Bank, the project will increase Gulu City’s water supply by an additional 10 million litres per day. Currently, the city relies on 6 to 7 million litres of water drawn from Oyitino Dam.
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