By Mulengera News
Kampala residents are now getting clean water at the official price after the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) installed around 3,000 prepaid water meters across the city. The meters allow households to pay only Shs25 per 20-litre jerrycan, replacing private middlemen who used to charge between Shs300 and 500.
The details were revealed on Spotlight Uganda, hosted by Mildred Tuhaise on NBS TV at 10 PM on 15th December 2025. During the show, NWSC officials discussed the success of the water sector, challenges, and plans for the future.
NWSC Managing Director, Eng. Silver Mugisha, explained that the prepaid meters were installed to eliminate middlemen selling water at inflated prices. He noted that the completion of the Kiruddu Water Treatment Plant had improved water quality and solved major problems in the local sewerage system.
He also said that NWSC plans to source water from Lake Victoria to improve supply in Masaka City. Mugisha emphasized that NWSC operates under the regulation of the Ministry of Water, serving officially gazetted areas and ensuring customers pay for the services according to the approved tariff.
The prepaid meters, launched recently in Kampala with support from the German government, serve over 100 people each and give households full control over how much water they buy. NWSC Public Relations Manager Sam Apedel described the meters as a “game-changing technology” that helps reduce household expenses and ensures residents pay only the regulated price.
Eng. Lamu Olweny, Acting Commissioner of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department, who was also part of the guests on NBSTV on that day urged communities to protect water sources by keeping them clean, avoiding dumping waste, and clearing stagnant water.
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner of Water Resources Planning and Regulation, also highlighted the importance of water for industries, pointing out that 96% of beer is water and without it, even beverage companies could not operate.
The discussions from the show were also shared on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), where NWSC’s key messages continue to reach the public. With prepaid meters now in place, Kampala residents can access safe, affordable water, ending the long-standing exploitation by private water vendors. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
