By Western Focus Team
KAMPALA — A new Board of directors for the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) was on Friday (30th. Jan. 2026) inaugurated with a call on the members/leadership to prioritize innovation and climate resilience to meet national development goals.
At the inauguration ceremony, in a charge delivered to the board, the Minister of State for Water and Environment Betty Anywar who represented the Water and Environment Minister Sam Cheptoris emphasized that the corporation must embrace new technologies and cost-effective solutions to reach more people affordably.
She noted that the board’s primary mission is to drive the country toward the goals set in Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals, which mandate universal access to safe water and sanitation for all Ugandans.
The ceremony, held at the International Resource Centre (IRC) in Bugolobi, marked a strategic transition for the utility as it navigates the pressures of rapid urbanization and climate change.
The new board members include; Prof. Eng. Dr. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe, Ms. Annette Akiror, Ms. Jane Aciro, Mr. Robert Wambedde, Mr. Peter Rwakifaari Kibondo, Mrs. Mariam Mutalaga and Eng. John Twinomujuni. They join Prof. Eng Dr. Badru Kiggundu, Rt. Hon Daniel Kidega and Lay Canon. Kasya Josephine.
The outgoing board members are; Racheal Kiconco Mbabazi, Sarah Onyiru, Rtd Col Stephen Basaliza and Mr. George Runge.
Anywar emphasized that the appointments come at a critical juncture for Uganda’s development.
“This is not merely an honor; it is a call to serve our nation at a critical time when access to safe water and sanitation remains central to health, economic growth, and sustainable development,” Anywar said.
The minister underscored the need for strict governance urging the board to adhere to government performance standards and ensure efficient financial management.
She also called for a strategic focus on expanding infrastructure to underserved areas while intensifying the protection of water sources from pollution and degradation.
The minister also highlighted the growing threat of climate change — tasking the board to champion environmental stewardship by integrating resilience and wetland protection into the corporation’s infrastructure strategies.
Anywar praised the outgoing board members — Racheal Kiconco Mbabazi, Sarah Onyiru, Rtd. Col. Stephen Basaliza, and Mr. George Runge — for establishing a solid foundation.
She noted that while the corporation’s geographical footprint has grown significantly, the pace of urbanization continues to outstrip current water coverage.
The minister’s directives to the board included a sharp focus on protecting water sources from pollution and encroachment while ensuring strict adherence to government financial accountability.
Board chairman Eng. Kiggundu presented a performance brief covering 2020 to 2025, detailing a period of robust expansion despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that under his leadership, the utility’s asset base increased tremendously. Kiggundu reported that total water connections grew by 39 percent to reach over 1 million customers, while the number of villages served surged by 54 percent, increasing from 7,192 to 11,088.
Financial indicators also showed growth during Eng. Kiggundu’s tenure, with annual revenue collections rising 59 percent to 620 billion shillings and profit before depreciation closing the period at 161 billion shillings.
He attributed these gains to the mobilization of 160 billion shillings in financing for major infrastructure, such as the Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant and the Nakivubo Wastewater Treatment Plant.
However, he warned that non-revenue water remains high at 34.4 percent due to illegal use, vandalism, and an aging distribution network.
NWSC Managing Director Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha revealed that the utility achieved its highest-ever operating surplus of 162 billion shillings during the 2024/25 financial year, up from 142 billion the previous year.
He highlighted several engineering feats, including the 70-kilometer Karuma-Gulu project that brought River Nile water to Gulu City, and the Kagera Water Project serving the cattle corridor, among many other projects.
Dr. Mugisha also announced a planned 660 billion shilling investment initiative by the GoU and NWSC to extend services further across the country.
The MD credited much of the corporation’s success to a shift toward institutional growth and human capital development.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Water and Environment for its strategic guidance, noting that NWSC is now placing a core emphasis on improving staff welfare through specifically designed medical and provident funds intended to motivate the workforce.
To sustain this momentum, the utility is prioritizing competence-based training and increasing investment in service delivery research and development. Mugisha emphasized that these internal improvements, coupled with strengthened collaboration with international and local partners, are essential for accelerating the goal of universal water access.
The inauguration was witnessed by High Court Justice Paul Gadenya Wolimbwa.
During the event, Dr. Alfred Okot Okiidi, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Water and Environment, addressed a major hurdle regarding unpaid government water bills.
“It is unfair to see a performing organization like NWSC grappling with unpaid government arrears,” Okiidi said, noting that the ministry has submitted recommendations to Parliament to resolve the issue.
The in-coming board chairman, Prof. Dr. Eng. Henry Alinaitwe Mwanaki, pledged to build on the existing foundation to achieve the “water for all” agenda.
Prof. Alinaitwe stated that his team will work hand in hand with management to achieve the utility’s service for all agenda, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service and staff welfare. End.
