A Special Series
Kampala, Uganda: For a decade now, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Uganda has been a beacon of progress, leading the charge in delivering clean water and sanitation services to millions of Ugandans.
As the largest urban public water utility in the nation, NWSC’s mandate is clear: provide reliable and sustainable water and sewerage services to areas entrusted to it by the Government.
With operations extending across 273 towns and a reach encompassing over 18 million individuals, NWSC’s influence is undeniable and the corporation is looking to a water-abundant future in many ways. To this story later.
Mandate
Its core mission, as defined in the NWSC Act Cap 317, centers around delivering water and sewerage services in a commercially viable manner while focusing on financial sustainability.
Despite intermittent hiccups here in there, the Corporation’s strategic vision has remained uncompromising in its commitment to achieving 100% water service coverage and a minimum of 30% sewerage coverage.
“This audacious endeavor is intricately linked with the broader national development policies outlined in the Government Manifesto (2021 – 2026), National Development Plan (NDPIII), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Vision 2040,” says the Managing Director Dr. Silver Mugisha.
To translate this vision into action, Dr. Mugisha says NWSC has charted its course through the Corporate Plan (2021 – 2024) which focuses on five Strategic Priority Areas (SPAs) to provide the framework for transforming its aspirations into tangible results.
The Five Areas:
The first strategic focus area is the provision of support for industrialization. Recognizing the pivotal role of industrialization in economic development, NWSC has actively collaborated with industries, providing water and sewerage services that fuel Uganda’s growth. To this, and in alignment with the Ugandan government’s focus on industrialization for economic growth and job creation, the NWSC was recently entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the provision of safe and dependable water services for the newly established Nshaara Industrial Park and its adjacent areas. As a response to this directive, NWSC initiated the process of detailed designs and the procurement of a contractor to upgrade and expand the Lyantonde Water Supply System.
The project is expected to deliver a 5,000,000-liter-per-day water treatment plant located at Lake Kacyera and water treated at this plant will be pumped to the nearest reservoir situated in Nshaara Ranch, facilitating its distribution to both the Nshaara Industrial Park and the broader Lyantonde Water Supply Area.
The second priority area is the development of water infrastructure. The expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure is not just a means to an end; it’s a critical path to reaching more Ugandans and fostering increased production and productivity. “These combined efforts are geared towards advancing water supply infrastructure to meet the growing demands of areas like Lyantonde and facilitate the industrialization aspirations of the nation,” says the MD.
The third priority area has been workforce enhancement. To NWSC, a motivated and skilled workforce is the backbone of exceptional service delivery. NWSC has committed to developing its employees ensuring the provision of high-quality services and opening doors to career growth.
For instance, last year, NWSC introduced a new performance management system with a primary focus on individual performance and accountability. This initiative follows the successful launch and implementation of NWSC’s Corporate Plan 2021-2024, aligned with Uganda’s strategic plans, including NDPIII, the Government Manifesto, and Vision 2040.
During the launch, Dr. Mugisha emphasized that this new performance monitoring and evaluation system was designed to strengthen performance in accordance with the utility’s Corporate Plan.
“While NWSC had previously concentrated on various aspects of the Corporate Plan, the organization is now giving paramount importance to its staff members, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving strategic priorities,” he told the press.
NWSC is now taking steps to quantify the contributions of each individual toward the Corporation’s goals and objectives. The new system will assess targets and performance on a quarterly basis and provide a framework for categorizing staff performance into four groups: A, B, C, and D, with exceptional performers ranked at A+. This approach will be used to promote high-performing employees while also offering guidance and support to those in the lower categories.
The fourth focus area is the empowerment of the private sector. In line with the shift towards a private sector-led economy, NWSC actively supports and partners with private enterprises, contributing to economic vitality.
Lastly, there has been a deliberate focus on corporate health and sustainability. In this focus area, the Corporation’s long-term health and stability are paramount. The NWSC now maintains a robust and sustainable operational structure which ensures that the corporation remains an effective and enduring entity.
‘Water for All’: A 10–Year Programme Journey
The NWSC’s journey over the last decade (2013 – 2023) under the guidance of its Board and Managing Director is a testament to resilience and adaptability. The “Water for All” program, a cornerstone of NWSC’s vision, is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to achieving universal water service coverage throughout Uganda.
The roadmap to this ambitious goal has involved geographical expansion, extensive infrastructure development, and the implementation of innovative water supply stabilization projects such as the SCAP 100 initiative, which strives to provide every Ugandan village with access to safe water sources.
In achieving the ‘water for all’ agenda, environmental protection has not been an afterthought but an integral part of NWSC’s core mission. Responsible water and sewerage management has been aligned with the Corporation’s commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s natural resources, ensuring the sustainability of its services, and the conservation of the environment.
The story of NWSC is not just a tale of accomplishment, but one of purposeful dedication to improving the lives of Ugandans. The Corporation’s unwavering commitment to its mission paints NWSC as a trailblazer, driving the nation’s development goals and enhancing the quality of life for millions across Uganda.
In Uganda, and indeed across the continent, NWSC stands as a symbol of progress, showcasing what can be achieved when visionary leadership, sound management, and a dedicated team join forces to provide essential services and empower a nation’s growth.
NWSC’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of water and sewerage services in the pursuit of prosperity and well-being.
To be continued…….
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