By Mulengera Reporters
The Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, has outlined an ambitious nationwide expansion of water infrastructure, urging closer coordination between the utility and local governments to address persistent supply challenges across Uganda.
Speaking at the opening of the corporation’s Biannual Performance Evaluation Workshop and Stakeholder Engagement in Kampala on Friday, Dr Mugisha emphasized that while the engagement was important, participants needed to balance competing national priorities, including a parallel high-level government function in Munyoonyo attended by the President.
He encouraged participants to make efficient use of the workshop while allowing flexibility for those required at the other engagement, noting the importance of aligning institutional activities with national priorities. Despite the scheduling overlap, he maintained that the workshop remained a key platform for accountability and planning within the water sector.
Dr Mugisha used the opportunity to provide an overview of ongoing and completed projects aimed at stabilizing water supply in multiple regions. He pointed to interventions in Mbarara, where water has been drawn from River Kagera to address recurring shortages during dry seasons. Similar efforts have been implemented in Gulu City, where supply has been boosted through extraction from the River Nile.
In Arua City, he acknowledged persistent challenges due to seasonal drying of River Enyau and limited groundwater capacity, noting that ongoing projects are intended to improve reliability. Meanwhile, Soroti City is benefiting from a new system at Awoja designed to increase supply, with further large-scale investments planned.
Dr Mugisha also highlighted a pipeline project targeting Bukedea District, involving water transfer from Ngora through Kanyum to a reservoir at Atutur. He described the project as being at an advanced stage and expected to significantly improve access in the area.
Closer to the central region, he pointed to ongoing planning efforts to address water shortages along the Entebbe Road corridor, particularly in rapidly growing areas such as Sisa and Akright. Short-term solutions involve abstraction from Lake Victoria at Nakahuka, while long-term plans include a major pipeline running along the expressway to serve wider parts of Wakiso District. Discussions are already underway with international financiers to support the project.
Beyond infrastructure, Dr Mugisha called for a shift in how local governments invest in water access. He proposed a collaborative model in which districts allocate part of their budgets to procure pipes, while the corporation provides technical expertise and labor to install and extend piped water systems. This approach, he said, has already shown results in several districts and could help reduce overreliance on boreholes, many of which become non-functional over time.
He stressed that the growing demand for piped water requires a balanced approach, combining traditional water sources with expanded network systems. Participants at the workshop were encouraged to engage directly with regional managers to better understand ongoing projects and translate national plans into district-level action.
The engagement also served as a platform for newly elected and returning local leaders to align with the corporation’s priorities. Dr Mugisha congratulated both groups, noting the importance of continuity and fresh perspectives in improving service delivery.
Also addressing participants was NWSC Board Member Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu, who emphasized the importance of stakeholder feedback in shaping the corporation’s performance agenda. He underscored the need for a shared understanding between the utility and local leaders, saying such alignment would ensure consistent messaging and implementation at district and municipal levels.
Dr Kiggundu welcomed participants and reiterated that the corporation values collaboration with stakeholders, describing the engagement as an opportunity to refine strategies and strengthen partnerships.
The workshop is expected to conclude with district-specific discussions, enabling leaders to return to their jurisdictions with a clearer understanding of planned interventions and their role in supporting water service expansion. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
