By Richard Onapatum
Kampala, Uganda – Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), emphasized the importance of collaboration within the water sector, highlighting the critical role of partnerships in achieving water and sanitation for all. Speaking at the AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition 2025 in Kampala, Dr. Mugisha outlined NWSC’s strategic approach to partnerships and its ambitious goals for the coming years.
“Partnerships are not just beneficial, they are essential,” Dr. Mugisha stated. “They enable us to share expertise, foster innovation, and increase our impact exponentially. We can achieve so much more together than we ever could alone.” Dr. Mugisha emphasized the diverse forms of collaboration, including strategic alliances, open innovation, and ecosystem partnerships, citing the importance of cross-industry dialogue between the water, energy, and environment sectors .
NWSC serves 19 million people across 276 urban centers in Uganda, with a network spanning 23,500 kilometers. The utility is committed to the “Water for All” agenda, focusing on development, capital expenditure, and in-house innovation. NWSC’s strategic plan includes ambitious targets, such as increasing turnover and asset base by 2030, reducing non-revenue water from 34% to 30%, and maintaining a customer satisfaction index of 80% .
Dr. Mugisha showcased NWSC’s extensive international engagement, partnering with organizations in 35 countries. He identified capacity development, targeted capacity development, and staff incentives as key components of successful partnerships. NWSC pursues a multi-faceted business strategy, encompassing continuous re-engineering, asset management, and sustainable financial resources .
The corporation has successfully accessed funding from financial markets, highlighting its self-reliance. “We appreciate aid, but we are not dependent on it,” Mugisha asserted. “We are resourceful and can find ways to thrive even without it.” Dr. Mugisha emphasized the crucial role of in-house IT solutions, noting that NWSC has developed its own billing, procurement, and human resource management systems.
The MD reiterated that partnerships and collaboration are essential for achieving water and sanitation for all. He urged all stakeholders to work together, emphasizing the potential for shared learning and mutual benefit.
