Ngono River project set to begin in Kagera

KAGERA: CONSTRUCTION of irrigation schemes in the Ngono River Basin, a crucial agricultural area in the Kagera Region, is set to begin this financial year after completion of detailed studies and ongoing procurement processes for contractors.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde, confirmed this in Parliament yesterday, stating that the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Irrigation Commission, has finalised the feasibility study and detailed design for the project.

The procurement process to secure construction contractors for the schemes is now underway, he said.

Silinde said the Ngono River Basin is one of 22 strategic basins identified for extensive irrigation farming development. This particular basin encompasses irrigation areas across Bukoba, Misenyi and Muleba Districts.

These include various schemes such as Kyabaramba, Katoro, Ngarama, Kyakakera, Kabaijuga, Kaibanja, Kishege, Minazi and Buterankuzi in Bukoba; Nkenge, Kafunjo, Butulage, Buchurago, and Bulembo Kusini in Misenyi; and Ikondo, Buyaga, Buhangaza, Muhutwe, Katoke, Kagoma and Kikuku in Muleba.

The total area suitable for irrigation farming within this basin exceeds 16,000 hectares.

The minister was responding to a question from Charles Mwijage, the Member of Parliament for Muleba North, who sought clarification on the scope of the Ngono River Basin project and its construction timeline.

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The Ngono River Basin, specifically the Misenyi section, has been the subject of a feasibility study conducted through the broader Nile Basin Initiative, underscoring its regional significance.

The government plans to invest in irrigation farming covering 11,700 hectares within the Ngono River Basin over the next five years.

This ambitious project is expected to significantly bolster the country’s food reserves. Kagera, a vital agricultural region, shares borders with four other nations, offering substantial agribusiness potential.

Moreover, the Kagera Region serves as a primary selling centre for various agricultural products destined for South Sudan, enhancing its economic importance.

The Ngono River Basin is not only a major source of water but is also being developed for multiple purposes, including irrigation and electricity generation.

The basin also contributes to the larger Kagera River system, a major tributary of Lake Victoria.