By Mulengera Reporters
Customers experiencing intermittent water supply across Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono could begin seeing improvements in supply hours, water pressure and service reliability as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) rolls out a six-month intervention programme targeting weaknesses in the water distribution system.
The Kampala Water Forward-Looking and Optimization of Water Supply (K-FLOWS) programme, running from November 2026 to April 2027, is designed to improve the daily water supply experience, particularly for households and businesses that currently receive water for fewer than 12 hours a day.
Under the programme, NWSC aims to ensure that all customers currently receiving less than 12 hours of water supply are upgraded to at least 12 hours daily.
Where infrastructure and technical conditions permit, the Corporation intends to extend supply to between 18 and 24 hours, with continuous supply as the ultimate aspiration.
The programme also seeks to ensure that customers already enjoying longer supply hours do not experience a deterioration in service as water is redistributed to underserved areas.
NWSC Managing Director Eng. Dr Silver Mugisha said the Corporation was changing how it defines success, with greater emphasis on the actual benefits customers receive rather than the number of projects implemented.
He explained that reliable water supply has a direct impact on household welfare, business productivity, public health and the cost of living.
“When you give people water, you reduce the distance they travel to access it. When you reduce that distance, people spend less time getting water and have more time for productive activities,” Mugisha said.
He noted that reliable water at household level particularly benefits women and children, who often shoulder the responsibility of fetching water when supplies are interrupted.
The Managing Director added that improved access reduces the need for households to purchase expensive water from alternative sources during supply interruptions.
The six-month programme is expected to deliver improvements through targeted pipeline works, additional pumping capacity, network interconnections, new boreholes and repairs to distribution infrastructure.
The first quick-win projects, including the Katosi–Mutungo Water Supply Stabilization Project and the Ggaba III–Muyenga Bypass, are expected to be completed by December 2026.
These interventions are projected to stabilize supply for about 26,842 customer accounts in areas including Rubaga, Lungujja, Makindye, Nateete, Busega, Bulenga, Kakiri and Nansana.
Other communities, including Kikokiro, Kitagobwa, Bukasa, Mengo, Kasenge, Kazinga, Maya, Namungoona and Nalumunye, are expected to benefit from new boreholes and local supply schemes.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, NWSC has promised stronger communication with customers throughout the implementation period.
According to Kampala Water General Manager Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, customers will be informed before works begin, updated during implementation and consulted afterwards to establish whether their water supply has improved.
Communication will be conducted through branch outreach, stakeholder clubs, community barazas, NWSC digital platforms and the Corporation’s call centre.
Lutaaya said complaints would be logged and only closed after a service check had been conducted.
This means customers should expect advance information about planned works and possible temporary interruptions, as well as opportunities to report persistent supply challenges.
NWSC will also rely on customer feedback and physical inspections to verify whether the interventions are delivering the promised improvements.
The programme is part of a broader shift towards customer-centred service delivery, with Mugisha emphasizing that the Corporation must focus on supply reliability, customer satisfaction, transparency and accountability.
For customers, the ultimate measure of success will not simply be the completion of new pipelines or infrastructure projects, but whether water flows more consistently, at adequate pressure and for longer hours. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
