Minister Engola Commissions UGX 1.5 Billion Solar-Powered Water Plant at Nakivale Refugee Settlement
Minister Sam Engola has commissioned the UGX 1.5 billion Misyera Water Treatment Plant at Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District. Built by the Uganda Red Cross with Austrian support, the facility raises daily water access to 7 liters per person for refugees and host communities. The integrated project also promotes hygiene, gender inclusion, and livelihoods through seed distribution, directly advancing SDGs 1, 6, and 10, as well as Uganda's NDP IV.
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Isingiro District, Uganda – The Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, has officially commissioned the UGX 1.5 billion Misyera Water Treatment Plant at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement. The facility is set to significantly improve access to clean water for both refugees and the surrounding host communities .
Constructed by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) with financial and technical support from the Austrian Red Cross and the Austrian Development Agency, the new plant is designed to provide a reliable supply of safe water. It increases water availability to 7 liters per person per day, a critical improvement in a settlement that has faced immense strain due to ongoing influxes of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo .
The project extends beyond infrastructure, integrating comprehensive hygiene promotion, gender inclusion, and livelihood support initiatives. This includes the distribution of seeds and seedlings to support local agriculture and food security, addressing the broader needs of the community .
During the commissioning ceremony, Minister Engola highlighted the project's alignment with Uganda's national development agenda and international commitments. "This initiative directly aligns with Uganda’s national priorities and international commitments advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 6 (Clean Water), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while driving the goals of our National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) for inclusive growth and sustainable service delivery" .
The Nakivale settlement, one of the oldest and largest refugee settlements in Africa, has historically struggled with water access, often falling below emergency survival thresholds . The new plant is a key part of the broader Water and Environment Sector Refugee Response Plan, which aims to provide sustainable solutions for the over 1.7 million refugees hosted in Uganda . The plant incorporates advanced technology, including a solar panel system ensuring uninterrupted operation and a 1,000-meter absorption pipe drawing water from Lake Nakivale .
Minister Engola extended the government’s profound gratitude to the Uganda Red Cross Society, UNHCR, and international donors. He emphasized the strategic role of the Red Cross, stating, "Investing in the Red Cross—the Government's trusted auxiliary—is an investment in Uganda’s future" . He concluded by calling upon all stakeholders, development partners, and local communities to safeguard this vital water source and replicate this model of sustainable, community-centered innovation across Uganda .
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