By Mulengera Reporters
In a wide-ranging Big Interview, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), painted a stark picture of water challenges in Uganda, revealing that millions of citizens are still struggling with inconsistent supply despite national efforts to expand infrastructure.
Dr. Mugisha said that while the Katosi Water Treatment Plant produces adequate water, some neighborhoods in north-eastern Kampala continue to experience shortages because the existing pipe network is unable to handle the growing urban population. He explained that the pipelines currently installed lack sufficient capacity to distribute water effectively, leaving parts of the city with dry taps.
To tackle these challenges, Dr. Mugisha said NWSC has started constructing new reservoirs and installing larger transmission pipelines to strengthen the network. He revealed that land has already been secured for a new reservoir in Kanyanya, and residents may have noticed large pipelines being laid across the city. He said these improvements are expected to take about two years before full benefits are realized, noting that the work is complex because it affects communities and infrastructure along the routes.
Dr. Mugisha also acknowledged the financial hurdles facing the utility, explaining that while most non-government customers pay on time, government institutions often delay payments for over ten months, resulting in a backlog exceeding 350 billion shillings. He said that the government has recently allocated about 81 billion shillings in the current budget to reduce these arrears and that discussions with the Ministry of Finance are ongoing to clear the remaining domestic debt.
The NWSC boss also highlighted that vandalism and illegal water connections have continued to disrupt supply. He said criminals frequently steal water meters, steel pipes, and PVC pipes because these materials can be sold on the market. NWSC is working closely with police and other security agencies to combat these crimes, while also engaging communities to protect public infrastructure.
Dr. Mugisha acknowledged that some residents experience water rationing due to ongoing construction, admitting that it is not ideal but sometimes necessary to ensure long-term improvements. He clarified that pipe bursts are rarely caused by aging infrastructure, but rather by human interference, construction activity, or environmental changes. He said the utility has programs to bury pipes deeper for protection against such disruptions.
He provided a detailed picture of NWSC’s national reach, saying the corporation currently serves 284 towns with about 1 million connections that include households, institutions, schools, hospitals, and businesses. He explained that these connections serve roughly 20 million Ugandans, highlighting that NWSC is now truly a national institution, unlike in the past when services were concentrated in a few urban centers.
Dr. Mugisha also revealed plans to address long-standing shortages in towns like Hoima, where underground water sources cannot meet demand. He said NWSC had tried to source water from the River Kafu, but the yield was insufficient. He added that a major regional expansion project has been designed to supply Hoima City and surrounding areas, with feasibility studies completed and investments carefully planned. He said stakeholder barazas were held to explain why water supply reduces during the dry season, and that over the next five years, these shortages will be addressed.
On sewer services, Dr. Mugisha explained that while NWSC aims to expand coverage, rural communities still rely on septic systems, which are safe if managed properly. He said the strategic plan focuses on sustainable infrastructure, environmental protection, human capital development, and social sustainability through community engagement.
Over the next five years, he said NWSC aims to increase the number of people served from 20 million to 26 million, expand connections from 1 million to 1.2 million, and grow the corporation’s asset base from 5 trillion to over 6 trillion shillings.
He addressed public concerns about billing, saying tariffs are affordable: low-income users pay about 25 shillings per jerrycan, industries pay 58 shillings per unit, and standard household consumers pay 100 shillings per unit.
Those without piped water often pay between 500 and 1,000 shillings per jerrycan. He said that billing issues usually arise from leaks after the meter rather than deliberate inflation, and that NWSC’s automated systems make it difficult for staff to manipulate bills.
Dr. Mugisha said that while illegal connections remain a major challenge across Africa, NWSC works with police and the Water Loss Protection Unit to detect and prosecute offenders. He explained that the corporation continues to rely on government support and development partners for capital investments, as tariffs alone cannot cover all operating and infrastructure costs. He emphasized that efficiency; cost-effective construction, reduced water losses, and staff productivity are key priorities to ensure financial sustainability.
Finally, Dr. Mugisha highlighted the two biggest challenges that could prevent NWSC from achieving its vision of water for all by 2030: government commitment and climate change. He said that without effective management of water resources and continued budgetary support, even the best infrastructure plans could be compromised.
He stressed that public trust is essential, and that NWSC is investing heavily in stakeholder engagement, technology, and community empowerment to improve service delivery, communication, and transparency across the country. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
