By Mulengera Reporters
National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) was recently celebrated for its exemplary role in advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive governance at the work place.
During the Women in Electoral Governance Symposium that was held at Hotel Africana on 26th September 2025, participants applauded NWSC’s track record under the stewardship of Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, who was formally recognised two weeks ago with an award for his outstanding contribution to women’s empowerment in Uganda.
The symposium highlighted this milestone as a shining example of how visionary leadership can transform institutions and communities.
Thanks to Dr. Mugisha’s leadership, women now hold 54 out of 98 leadership positions in Kampala Water and make up 34% of the Corporation’s workforce nationwide.
Yet that isn’t all. NWSC has also invested in gender-responsive service delivery including extending safe water access and constructing gender-sensitive sanitation facilities. This has contributed towards reducing the domestic burden on women and girls and thereby enabling them to pursue education, entrepreneurship and civic leadership.
The symposium featured a rich line-up of distinguished speakers, each addressing unique dimensions of women’s empowerment. These included Hon. Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, Judge of the High Court and President of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA). She delivered a keynote on “The Role of Professionalism, Accountability and Integrity in Leadership – A Judicial Officer’s Perspective.”
Kazaarwe emphasized that integrity and accountability are the foundations of credible governance and inclusivity.
Ms. Catherine Donovan Kyokunda, who is the Commissioner, Legal & Board Affairs at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), spoke on “Women Empowerment and Taxation: What You Need to Know and Maximise Benefits & Opportunities.”
She encouraged women leaders and entrepreneurs to leverage Uganda’s tax framework to unlock opportunities, maximise incentives and expand their economic participation.
Ms. Irene T. Kauma, the Under Secretary and Senior Private Secretary to the First Lady & Minister of Education and Sports, inspired participants with her talk on “Unleashing Potential: Rise Above Challenges and Become Agents of Transformation.”
She challenged fellow women leaders to embrace resilience, harness their talents and position themselves as catalysts for change in their communities and the nation.
Advocate Brownie Ebal, the Principal Legal Officer at NWSC, showcased how the Corporation’s corporate governance practices (from transparent reporting and compliance systems to mentorship initiatives) provide practical blueprints for strengthening women’s voice and participation in electoral governance.
The symposium concluded with resounding recognition of NWSC’s leadership in setting a national precedent. Participants called upon other institutions to emulate NWSC by embedding integrity, accountability and gender inclusivity into their governance and operations and thereby ensuring women’s equal participation in shaping Uganda’s future. 
