By Vicent Emong
The Minister for Local Government, Rafael Magezi , has declined to commission the Kanapa water facility in Kumi District under the LEGS Project, citing concerns over incomplete water treatment processes and potential risks to public health.
While commissioning LEGS projects in the district, Magezi expressed strong reservations about the safety and quality of the water, emphasizing that approving a facility that has not undergone full treatment and testing would be irresponsible.
❝ “I’m not the technical officer, but my mind tells me that if I am supposed to drink something—like beer, for example—it must pass through all the necessary processes before it reaches the final stage. If an essential stage is missing, why should I consume it?” ❞
— Rafael Magezi
He used the analogy to underscore his concern that the water facility had not yet completed all required treatment stages.
❝ “You cannot clearly see a defect and still proceed. You cannot say you will come back later when you already know something is missing. As of now, there is a gap in the quality of the water.” ❞
— Rafael Magezi
Magezi stressed that public safety must come first, warning against rushing the commissioning process.
❝ “Suppose something goes wrong—a child drinks this water and falls sick—and we are the leaders responsible. Can’t we wait just one more month? Let the work be completed and properly tested.” ❞
— Rafael Magezi
Despite declining to commission the facility, the minister acknowledged the progress made on the project.
❝ “Otherwise, the place is good. You have done a commendable job compared to what we found last time. This is a critical investment.” ❞
— Rafael Magezi
The Kanapa Water and Sanitation Project is part of broader efforts to improve access to safe water in Kumi District. According to Peter Mawanda , the project is approximately 93 percent complete, with an estimated cost of 1.2 billion Ugandan shillings.
❝ “Our main objective is to increase safe water coverage in the district. For Kanapa, we have not commissioned the facility because we still need to complete the water treatment mechanism.” ❞
— Peter Mawanda
He explained that the remaining work involves installing a critical treatment component.
❝ “What is left are final fittings, including a dosing machine called a ‘dozatrone,’ which is essential for treating the water. The order has already been placed through the National Transportation Corporation, and we are ensuring all necessary tests are conducted.” ❞
— Peter Mawanda
Mawanda expressed optimism that the project would soon be ready for commissioning.
❝ “By the 24th of April 2026, we expect everything to be complete. The contractor has assured us that the machine will be delivered and installed in time.” ❞
— Peter Mawanda
The Resident District Commissioner of Kumi,John Bosco Mubito , also welcomed the minister’s visit while acknowledging the remaining gaps in the project.
❝ “We are happy to have hosted the minister to commission legacy projects in Kanapa. However, the water treatment facility is not yet fully installed, which is why the commissioning has been postponed.” ❞
— John Bosco Mubito
He confirmed that the minister has given stakeholders an additional month to complete the work and ensure safety standards are met.
❝ “He will return after one month, once the treatment unit is fully installed, to ensure the water is safe for human consumption.” ❞
— John Bosco Mubito
Mubito also addressed concerns about delays by the contractor, noting that while challenges were encountered, the district leadership remains supportive.
❝ “We did our best, although the contractor faced some difficulties. We are not here to punish or pressure him excessively—we will continue to offer support. However, within this one month, the treatment facility must be completed so that we can proceed with commissioning.” ❞
— John Bosco Mubito
The postponement highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring that essential public services, particularly water supply systems, meet required safety standards before being handed over to the community.
