By Chris Mugasha
BUSHENYI: President Yoweri Museveni has okayed allocation of Ug.shs81billion to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to extend safe and clean water to more areas.
The disclosure has been made by the NWSC Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha who commended the President and the government for funding the investments in the water sector.
“The president wants us (NWSC) to make sure that water is extended to more areas/villages across the country and that’s why he has approved the fund, ” Mugisha said.
Mugisha was on Sunday addressing residents of Kagari in Ibaare Sub County in Bushenyi district at Kagari church of Uganda where he launched the extension of a number of water projects/lines which will leave a number of villages in the area connected to safe and clean water.
NWSC at National level
NWSC’s mandate is to operate and provide water and sewerage services in areas entrusted to it on a sound commercial and viable basis. The Corporation’s Strategic Focus as enshrined in the Corporate Plan 2021 – 2024 is to ensure water for all, for the social – economic transformation of Ugandans and industrialization growth, through strategic partnerships. This is in line with the overarching Government Policy Direction enshrined in the Third National Development Plan (NDP III), Vision 2040, NRM Manifesto, and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG 6).
NWSC developed a number of strategic undertakings in the Corporate Plan 2021 – 2025, to enable the Corporation realize its commitments of making sure that all Cities, Towns, Trading Centers, Wards, Cells and Zones get water.
This is being done by increasing service coverage through a deliberate and systematic takeover of towns in liaison with the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Corporation’s geographical coverage has since grown by 3% from 258 towns as at June 2020 to 270 towns. These towns are located across all districts across the country and constitute 11 cities, 257 urban centers (towns and sub-counties), and 16,687 villages. As at 31st March 2023, the village service coverage stood at 65% (10,799 villages with at least one safe water point). On the other hand, the Corporation’s village coverage has increased by 50%, from 7,192 villages in 2020 to 10,799 villages served as at March 2023.
Addressing the same gathering (residents of Ibaare sub county), the Bushenyi district woman MP Annet Katusiime Mugisha hailed the water agency and the government for bridging the water gap in Bushenyi and other districts.
Silver Byabashaija the Ibaare sub county LCIII chairperson said, “it is unfortunate that our people have been seeing pipes just passing but finally they are going to tap from them (pipes),” Byabashaija said as he commended NWSC and government.
Mugisha cautioned people against degrading the major sources of water especially the wetlands. “The pipes will dry if you continue encroaching on the wetlands. We appeal to you to leave them (wetlands) to serve their purpose of feeding our pipes with water,” Mugisha appealed.
The MD used the same opportunity to caution the youth against misusing the social media.
Mugisha told the youth that it’s high time they change and begin to use social media to connect to opportunities and create networks that can help them to do something that supports their well-being.
According to Mugisha, it is very unfortunate that most of the youth spend much of their time on social media abusing and blackmailing each other-especially abusing their leaders.
Mugisha said in this modern era, the youth should instead use social media to search for knowledge, opportunities, build networks/bridges which can connect them.
Mugisha also noted that, “yes, social media is a platform to engage with your leaders….but engage them productively.”
Mugisha’s concerns come at a time when Ugandans especially the youth have resorted to the social media to critic government and their leaders. End.
