Kenya and Uganda have signed a major bilateral agreement to kick-start the long-awaited Angololo Water Project, a transboundary initiative aimed at improving water access and food security in the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi river sub-basin.
The two countries, represented by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eric Mugaa, and Uganda’s Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth Sh500 billion to formally operationalize the project.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, CS Mugaa emphasized the significance of the Angololo project in addressing the pressing water needs of communities living along the shared basin. “This project is a game-changer. It will provide sustainable water solutions for over 300,000 households, enhance agricultural productivity, and ultimately improve food security for both nations,” he stated.
Minister Atim echoed the sentiments, underlining the project’s potential to not only transform livelihoods but also foster regional cooperation. She stressed the importance of integrating environmental conservation efforts into the development, ensuring that natural resources in the area are protected as the initiative rolls out.
The Angololo project is designed to harness the waters of the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi river basin to support irrigation, livestock, and domestic water supply. It is one of the flagship transboundary projects under the Nile Basin Initiative, which seeks to promote equitable utilization of shared water resources.
Both countries pledged to uphold environmental integrity throughout the project’s implementation, calling for the preservation of ecosystems that support biodiversity and community livelihoods. The ministers urged stakeholders to prioritize sustainable practices, ensure community engagement, and build climate resilience in the region.
The project is expected to begin rolling out in phases, with funding and technical support from regional and international development partners. Once fully implemented, it will serve as a model for cross-border cooperation in water management and regional development across East Africa.
