National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Managing Director Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha has announced an ambitious plan to significantly reduce water shortages in Kampala and the surrounding metropolitan areas by July 2027, with new water pipes expected to boost supply to some of the city’s most affected communities.
Dr. Mugisha said areas including Najjera, Kyanja, Namugongo and Kira are expected to receive improved water supply once ongoing pipe-laying works are completed by NWSC technical teams and contractors. He apologised to residents who have endured persistent interruptions, explaining that the problem is not a shortage of water at the production plants but limited capacity in the distribution network.
Speaking during the Public Sector Institutions Leadership Retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, Dr. Mugisha explained that NWSC currently has sufficient water in its production facilities and reservoirs. However, he said the existing network cannot transport enough water to the northeastern parts of Kampala, creating shortages despite adequate production.According to the NWSC boss, completion of the new pipeline network will allow the corporation to redistribute water more efficiently across the capital. He said the area currently supplied by the Ggaba water system would become smaller, allowing more of its available supply to be directed towards communities in southwestern Kampala.
Dr. Mugisha also addressed concerns raised over roads being dug up during the ongoing pipeline projects. He acknowledged that the works have caused inconvenience to motorists and residents but explained that some road cuts are unavoidable, particularly when underground pipes have to be installed or repaired. He, however, admitted that NWSC needs to improve the way it restores roads after completing such works.On the threat of El Niño rains, Dr. Mugisha said he had instructed NWSC branch areas to prepare detailed resilience plans to protect water and sanitation services from extreme weather conditions. He also appealed to customers to respond positively to payment reminders, noting that timely bill payments are essential for the corporation to continue operating and expanding its services.
Dr. Mugisha revealed that NWSC’s asset base has grown to more than Shs5.2 trillion and is projected to reach about Shs6.8 trillion within the next five years and Shs8.2 trillion by 2035. The corporation now operates in 293 towns, compared to only 28 in 2015/16, while the number of people served has increased from about five million to 22 million and water connections from 366,200 to more than 1.06 million.
He said NWSC’s annual turnover has also risen to about Shs680 billion from Shs180 billion in 2015/16, while operating profit has increased to approximately Shs200 billion from Shs40 billion. The corporation currently records non-revenue water at 33.9 per cent and plans to reduce the losses to 28 per cent by 2029/30 and below 25 per cent by 2035 through automation and smart metering. By 2035, NWSC expects to serve about 35 million people in more than 400 towns across Uganda.
