By Mulengera Reporters
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation has set ambitious performance targets, including reducing non-revenue water from 34 percent to 28 percent and increasing annual turnover to 768 billion shillings, as part of its newly unveiled Strategic Plan for 2025–2030.
The plan was presented in Kampala by Anna Abe from NWSC Corporate Strategy and Planning Department, during the corporation’s biannual performance evaluation workshop and stakeholder engagement in Kampala. It outlines a five-year roadmap aimed at expanding water access, strengthening operational efficiency, and improving financial sustainability.
At the core of the strategy is the corporation’s vision of “water for all, for health and prosperity,” which aligns with Uganda’s broader development frameworks, including Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV. The plan emphasizes universal access to safe water, with a specific aspiration that every village within NWSC’s service areas should have at least one reliable water source.
A key performance target under the plan is the reduction of non-revenue water—water lost through leakages, illegal connections, and faulty metering—which currently stands at 34 percent. By lowering this to 28 percent, the corporation aims to improve efficiency and recover lost revenue that can be reinvested into infrastructure expansion.
Financial growth is another central pillar of the strategy. NWSC projects an increase in annual turnover from 649 billion shillings recorded in 2025 to 768 billion by 2030. The corporation also plans to grow its asset base to 6.8 trillion shillings, up from 4.8 trillion, reflecting significant planned investments in water systems and infrastructure.
To support these targets, the utility intends to expand its customer base from one million to 1.3 million connections, while increasing the population served from 20 million to 26 million people. This will be driven by the installation of at least 60,000 new connections annually and the expansion of the water distribution network by 500 kilometers each year.
The strategic plan also introduces measures to improve operational efficiency, including reducing the operating ratio from 77 percent to 75 percent and cutting staff costs from 44 percent to 39 percent. Energy efficiency is another priority, given that power remains one of the largest cost drivers in water production and distribution.
To finance its ambitious agenda, NWSC has outlined a budget framework of approximately 8 trillion shillings, with 60 percent expected to come from internal revenues. Development partners are projected to contribute 27 percent, while government funding will account for 6 percent. The remaining portion is expected from market-based financing, including plans to explore bond issuance. However, the corporation acknowledged a funding gap of about 1.5 trillion shillings, which it hopes to mobilize over the plan period.
The strategy also prioritizes customer experience, with targets such as a 30-day turnaround time for new connections, full response to customer complaints, and the establishment of a modern contact center. Additionally, the corporation plans to implement 15 corporate social investment projects to strengthen community engagement.
Environmental sustainability features prominently in the plan, with commitments to expand renewable energy use across water facilities and construct seven new wastewater treatment plants to improve compliance levels. The corporation also aims to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to enhance environmental protection and water source sustainability.
Implementation of the plan will be monitored through structured performance frameworks, including quarterly and annual reviews, as well as individual staff performance targets. NWSC management indicated that success will depend not only on internal execution but also on collaboration with local leaders, government agencies, and development partners.
With rising urbanization, climate pressures, and increasing demand for water services, the new strategic plan positions NWSC to address both operational challenges and growth opportunities, while working toward universal access to safe and reliable water. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
