In an extensive endeavor to enhance the effectiveness of water supply and stimulate local innovations in engineering, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has partnered with Luwero Industries Limited. The partnership, signed in Kampala, aims at reducing operational costs, expediting technical progress, and enhancing the dependability of water supply in Uganda. The partnership is a crucial step towards becoming autonomous and addressing the growing demand for clean water in the country.

NWSC Managing Director, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, highlighted the importance of the partnership, particularly in optimizing the use of government-funded equipment. “This partnership is very important to us. We are replacing pumps to increase capacity at Ggaba and other plants but it takes six months to buy a new pump,” Dr. Mugisha said. “By working with Luwero Industries, we are able to recondition, recalibrate, and extend the life of our existing equipment, having standby pumps in place in case of breakdowns.”

The partnership is coming at a time when NWSC is experiencing water supply shortages that have been exacerbated by unfavorable weather conditions. Dr. Mugisha further stated that prolonged dry spells have increased the demand for water while simultaneously drying up major water sources. To address these challenges, NWSC has adopted short-term measures, such as the installation of more-capacity pumps and the implementation of bulk water rationing in water-stress areas. In the long term, the Kampala Water Supply Network Rationalisation and Expansion Project will significantly improve water supply distribution in the city. One of the key benefits of the partnership is the ability to build in-house troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance capacity.

This will reduce NWSC’s dependence on foreign spare parts and avoid lengthy delays in procurement. “We have previously had to buy and replace equipment regularly, but now, with the help of Luwero, we will focus on maintenance, rehabilitating, and refurbishing,” Dr. Mugisha said. “The collaboration will not only reduce redundancy and save costs but also allow for research and development to ensure Uganda produces and develops its own engineering solutions.” Luwero Industries is donating expert workshop machinery and precision equipment to the partnership that will significantly boost NWSC’s efficiency. As a network that has over 1,000 pumps, NWSC will be able to enjoy the ability to locally produce spare parts, conserving time and improving water production timetables. “The partnership will enable us to extend the life of our equipment, reduce maintenance expenditure, and improve overall efficiency,” said NWSC’s Eng. Andrew Muhwezi.

The collaboration also highlights research and development as the way forward. Dr. Mugisha cited the potential of the collaboration in driving the exchange of ideas and indigenous engineering solutions. “With advancing research and development between NWSC and Luwero, we can construct knowledge and start constructing our own pumps locally,” he said. That is part of the broader vision of cultivating self-reliance and less foreign technology dependency.

Luwero Industries General Manager Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeeyi pledged the company’s commitment to helping NWSC improve water and sanitation services in an effort to improve water supply challenges facing the country. “We are pledged to supporting NWSC in a move to combat the water supply problems our country is experiencing,” Maj. Gen. Muzeeyi said. “We have confidence that the collaboration will improve the efficiency of water supply as well as boost research and development, so Uganda can develop its own engineering products and even manufacture them in-country.”

Maj. Gen. Muzeeyi also commended Dr. Mugisha’s leadership and collaboration in delivering water supply solutions. He commended NWSC’s efforts in spreading water services to less developed regions, including Kotido, Moroto, and Matany. “NWSC has achieved a great strides in increasing water services to different parts of the country. We are committed to supporting NWSC in its efforts to provide clean and safe water to all Ugandans,” he went on.

The cooperation will initially run for three years, with the two institutions focusing on a number of priority areas. These include the production of spare parts, improvement of municipal wastewater treatment, material testing, and heat and surface treatment services. The cooperation will also focus on capacity development and research and development programmes to drive long-term innovation.

The Kampala Water Supply Network Rationalisation and Expansion Project signed in January 2025 is among the cornerstones of NWSC’s projects to improve water supply distribution. The project involves constructing 72 kilometers of networks of various capacities of pipes, reservoirs, and booster pumping stations. Since the Katosi Water Plant is already commissioned, NWSC will now evacuate water to reach more people across the city.

The partnership between Luwero Industries and NWSC is a groundbreaking step towards improving water supply efficiency in Uganda. By leveraging local expertise and resources, the partnership aims to reduce the operation cost, enhance technical capability, and achieve self-reliance. With NWSC still struggling with water supply and distribution challenges, the partnership points to the necessity of innovation and collaboration in the quest for sustainable solutions. With a shared dream of providing clean and safe water to every Ugandan, NWSC and Luwero Industries are paving the way to a brighter, more secure future.