KAMPALA/UGANDA: With 283 towns connected at 84% water coverage, millions of cubic meters of water produced and distributed, and hundreds of jobs created over the past year, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has lived fulfilled the dream of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, when it took power, 37 years ago. READ ON:-
On January 26, 1986, the leader of the National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels which ushered in the current National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, promised a fundamental change in the politics of Uganda.
The leader, Gen Yoweri Museveni declared in front of the Parliamentary buildings before a mammoth crowd:
“This is not a mere change of guards, I think this is a fundamental change in the politics of our government.”
Politics in any country means the art and science of delivering services to the satisfaction of the citizens. One such fundamental service is clean and safe water.
By 1986, the state and its public institutions such as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) had nearly collapsed and a handful of citizens and institutions accessing clean water.
However, the new government set out to revamp the state and make key service institutions such as NWSC work. They would work by way of geographical expansion and increased water supply for industrial and domestic use.
National Water and Sewerage Corporation is Uganda’s largest urban water authority providing potable water and sewerage services in 263 towns, with a customer base of more than 900,000 connections serving approximately 19 million people. Established in 1972, the Corporation has evolved from a struggling institution to a thriving organization and has become a beacon of hope to many utilities around the world.
Today, the NRM is celebrating 37 years of great achievements. One of these achievements is the quantitative and qualitative leap in water supply and the geographical reach of the NWSC services.
The year 2023 when NRM is celebrating 37 years, is an important scope in the nearly four-decade journey for the revolution to take stoke of how far Ugandans have traveled in accessing safe and clean water.
Within the context of the NRM’s 2021-2026 Manifesto, NWSC committed to improving urban water supply and sewerage coverage in all cities, towns, trading centers, wards, cells, and zones- at least one source per village.
The corporation further committed to providing sufficient water and sewerage services for the planned industrial parks around the country.
But most importantly, NWSC committed itself to the robust implementation of Capital Development Projects to enhance water and sewerage service delivery.
NWSC’s Wins in the second year of NRM’s 6th Administration
Exactly one year ago, NWSC decided to respond to President Yoweri Museveni’s promise of more safe and clean water. To achieve this, the Corporation set up the Corporate Plan 2021 – 2024 is to ensure water for all, for the social–economic transformation of Ugandans and industrialization growth, through strategic partnerships.
They needed to do this in line with the overarching Government Policy enshrined in the Third National Development Plan (NDP III), Vision 2040, the NRM Manifesto, and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG 6).
From 263 to 283 Towns
The Corporation in liaison with the Ministry of Water and Environment has, in just under 365 days, increased service coverage through a deliberate and systematic takeover of towns. The objective of this initiative is to increase the number of towns under NWSC operations from 263 – 283 towns, and extension of piped water services to unserved townships neighboring the current NWSC Towns. Given that the freshly –elected NRM government’s target is to ensure that all Ugandans have access to safe water and Sanitation by 2040, the NSWC’s pace is on track. However, management admits that the current water infrastructure is unable to meet the needs of the existing population and threatens that of future generations.
“Thus, there is a need for major refurbishments of existing infrastructure and the development of new systems to enhance the capacities of water systems,” reads a recent press release from the water body.
To address this need, NWSC is implementing a number of Capital Development Projects in various Areas.
A number of projects are under implementation, and the Corporation is sourcing funds to implement those that have not yet commenced. The projects are largely financed by the Government of Uganda in collaboration with Development Partners.
NWSC Milestones in line with the NRM Manifesto
As all roads lead to Kakumiro District today, to mark the NRM 37th Anniversary, there are visible milestones in the water sector to be proud of and marked for future reference and media debate. The table below shows turnkey projects that have been completed, ongoing ones, and those being planned.
COMPLETED PROJECTS | ONGOING PROJECTS | PROJECTS AT PLANNING AND INCEPTION |
1. Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant Project 2. Nakivubo Waste Water Treatment Plant Project 3. Katosi – Kampala Transmission Mains 4. Nakivubo and Kinawataka Sewers Network 5. Kinawataka Pre-treatment and Pumping Station 6. Gaba 1&2 Water Treatment Plants Refurbishment 7. Arua Water Management and Development Project 8. Bushenyi Water Management and Development Project 9. Gulu Water Management and Development Project 10. Compact Sewage Treatment Plants for Fort Portal & Kisoro Towns 11. Kapchorwa Water Supply Project 12. Fort Portal Water Production Improvement Project 13. Sembabule Water Supply Improvement Project 14. Kapeeka Water Supply Project 15. Masindi Water Production Improvement Project 16. Buloba Water Supply Project 17. Parombo Water Supply Project | 1. Kampala Network Restructuring & Rehabilitation 2. Improvement of Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Informal Settlements. 3. Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project 4. Karuma Water Treatment Plant 5. Gulu – Karuma Transmission Mains 6. Adjumani Water Supply and Sanitation Project 7. Kagera Water Works 8. Mbarara Water and Sanitation Project 9. Masaka Water and Sanitation Project 10. Wakiso West Water and Sanitation Project 11. Hoima Water Production Improvement Project 12. Lyantonde Water Supply Project 13. Compact Sewage Treatment Plant for Kiruddu Referral Hospital 14. Bushenyi Water Supply Augmentation Project 15. Kyankwanzi Water Supply Project 16. Kalungu Water Supply Project 17. Soroti Water Supply Project 18. Tororo Water Supply Project 19. Kanungu Water Supply Project 20. Moroto Water Supply Project 21. Lira Water Supply Improvement Project 22. Extension of Water Supply Services to EACOP Facilities 23. Refurbishment of Soono Water Works 24. Water Supply Project to Manafwa Town Counsel 25. Water Supply Project to Mukura Town Council 26. Kamuli WTP Modification and Upgrade | 1. Ajono Water Supply Stabilisation Programme 2. Jupamocho III Water Supply System (Paidha) 3. Layibi Techo Water Supply System 4. Parego Water Supply system 5. Pakwach Water Production Augmentation 6. Odubonga Water Supply system 7. Mbele water Supply System 8. Rwemigina WSSP 9. Nyakyera Water Supply System 10. Rugarama Water Extension Project 11. Kihumuro Barracks Water Extension 12. Kamwezi Water Supply Improvement Interventions 13. Muhanga Water Supply Improvement Interventions 14. Gishegera Water Extension Project 15. Nkanka Phase II Water Supply Project 16. Kigabiro Water Extension Project 17. Kakindo Water Extension Project 18. Kati-Kanyabwanga Project 19. Bweranyangye Extension Project 20. Ntungamo Water Supply Stabilization Interventions 21. Kihanda Water Supply Extension Project 22. Katerero-Kengoma Water Extension Project 23. Improvements at Mpanga Water Treatment Plant 24. River Kyanjoki Raw Water Abstraction Project 25. Improvements of Water Supply in Kaabong Branch 26. Improvements of Water Supply in Kotido Main 27. Water Supply Stabilization in Serere Town Council |
Number of Ugandans, Villages with safe water
The table above translates into increased access to safe water, with the population served by NWSC growing from 17.5 million people in 2021 to 19 million people in 2022.
In addition, the Corporation’s village coverage has grown by 18% from 8,811 villages in 2021 to 10,425 villages by the close of 2022. The growth was mainly attributed to the implementation of the 100% Service Coverage Acceleration Project (SCAP100), whose target among others was to install at least two safe water sources in each village covered by NWSC (12,000 villages).
If 82% of villages in Uganda can access clean and safe water, it is safe to say NWSC has been fundamental to the liberation journey of the NRM government and its commitment to improving the quality of life of Ugandan citizens.