Samia launches Sh71bn water project in Mwanza, calls for peace

Mwanza. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has emphasised the central role of peace and political stability in driving Tanzania’s development and preserving its international standing.

Addressing Mwanza residents on Friday, June 20, 2025, President Hassan said the country’s prevailing calm, coupled with strong political will, had enabled the implementation of major development projects.

She urged Tanzanians to remain united and focus on productivity.

“Tanzania is on the right development path. We have the political will, and it will remain strong. I urge all citizens to safeguard peace and stability. Let us preserve our political calm so the country can remain peaceful. We must settle down and work hard to achieve meaningful progress,” she said.

President Hassan noted that peace and stability had been instrumental in attracting development partners and donors, allowing the government to secure grants and concessional loans to support key infrastructure initiatives.

“If we start creating unrest, progress will stall—and that’s exactly what some would like to see. I call on all Tanzanians to uphold our country’s good name. Tanzania is stable—now let’s focus on work,” she said.

Sh71 billion water project launched

The President made the remarks during the official inauguration of the Butimba Water Project—a major infrastructure initiative designed to tackle longstanding water shortages in the region.

She said public outcry over the lack of clean and safe water during her previous visits to the region had prompted the government to fast-track the project.

The new water supply system, built at over Sh71 billion, is expected to benefit over 450,000 Mwanza residents and the surrounding areas.

President Hassan thanked Tanzania’s development partners for supporting the initiative through a mix of grants and concessional financing, and noted that the institutions had already pledged further support for the project’s second phase.

“This project, like many others underway, has required significant financial investment. I urge all citizens to protect and preserve it so that it serves current and future generations,” she said.

In addition to expanding water access, the project has also involved the construction of 107 public toilets in schools, markets, and bus terminals—an initiative aimed at enhancing hygiene and sanitation across the region.

The President also called on residents of the Lake Zone to prioritise environmental conservation, particularly around Lake Victoria, which remains the main water source for Mwanza and neighbouring regions.

“I direct all relevant institutions to intensify environmental protection measures. This lake sustains millions. If we allow it to dry up, we risk undoing all the gains we’ve made,” she said.

She further urged citizens to pay their water bills to ensure continued service delivery, while cautioning water utility officials against issuing fraudulent or inflated bills.

Technical overview and regional impact

Offering a technical overview, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Ms Mwajuma Waziri, said the newly commissioned plant would supply 48 million litres of clean water per day.

The Water Minister Jumaa Aweso expressed public frustration over water from Lake Victoria being channelled to other regions while Mwanza itself continued to face shortages.

“One of the key concerns raised by Mwanza residents was that their lake was being used to supply water elsewhere, yet they still faced challenges. To the people of Mwanza and the Lake Zone: after hardship comes relief,” said Mr Aweso.

Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Said Mtanda, said the region’s current daily water demand stood at 172 million litres, while the existing combined supply from Capripoint and Butimba reached 138 million litres.

The new project, he said, would help narrow the gap significantly.

According to Mr Mtanda, access to clean water in Mwanza had risen sharply—from 57 percent in 2021 to 85 percent in 2025—marking a 27 percentage-point increase in just four years.

He also cited improvements in rural areas, noting that 80 water projects worth Sh81.3 billion had been completed across the region, helping to enhance access and improve livelihoods in outlying communities.

A broader development agenda

The launch of the Butimba Water Project forms part of President Hassan’s broader vision to expand access to essential services and deliver infrastructure that supports inclusive development across all regions.

As part of this agenda, the government continues to mobilise resources through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, focusing on accountability, public participation, and efficient service delivery at the grassroots.

President Hassan concluded her address by reaffirming that meaningful development cannot take place in the absence of peace, urging Tanzanians to reject divisive rhetoric and unite behind the common goal of building a prosperous and inclusive nation.