The French Ambassador to Uganda, Virginie Leroy, has applauded the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) for its technical efficiency and commitment to service delivery during a visit to the utility’s headquarters in Nakasero.
Ambassador Leroy met with NWSC Managing Director, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, to review ongoing water and sanitation projects supported by the French government through the French Development Agency (AFD).
A central focus of the collaboration is the Katosi Water Works and its distribution network. Under the AFD-backed Package 2B project, 70 kilometers of primary transmission pipelines are being installed, alongside the construction of large reservoirs in Kanyanya, Kabulengwa, and Mutungo.
These enhancements aim to stabilize water pressure and extend supply to northern and western parts of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The partnership has also supported the rehabilitation of the Ggaba Water Treatment Complex and the SCAP 100 project, which expanded water services to 12,000 villages nationwide.
Pro-poor initiatives have included 1,400 prepaid public standpipes and 64 sanitation facilities in informal settlements, benefiting approximately 450,000 residents.
Ambassador Leroy commended NWSC’s operational standards, describing the collaboration as a model for successful infrastructure development.
She reaffirmed France’s commitment to investing in Uganda and highlighted the utility’s track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
During the meeting, Dr. Mugisha outlined plans for a new initiative to extend water services to 35 additional towns, proposing a partnership that would leverage French expertise in technology, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
“We are exploring innovations to reduce project costs, enabling us to deliver safe, clean water efficiently while ensuring value for money,” Dr. Mugisha said.
The managing director also emphasized NWSC’s approach to gender equality through programs such as She Leads and Empower Her, which focus on skills development and capacity building.
“Our approach is not just about numbers; it’s about creating competent women and men capable of driving change,” he noted.
Dr Mugisha credited the French government for its sustained investment, with AFD contributing roughly 480 million euros to date. He described the partnership as pivotal to Uganda’s Vision 2040 infrastructure goals.
Since assuming leadership in 2013, Dr. Mugisha has overseen NWSC’s expansion from 23 towns to more than 280 urban centers.
The utility’s asset base has grown from Shs650 billion to over Shs5 trillion, while customer connections have surpassed one million, serving a population of 22 million.
Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Johnson Amayo, highlighted NWSC’s approach to financing, prioritizing flexible investment models that support cost-effective project implementation.
As part of its 2024–2027 corporate plan, NWSC is focusing on digital transformation and climate stewardship.
Upcoming milestones include increasing Katosi plant output to its full capacity of 240 million liters per day to meet the rising demand from Uganda’s growing urban population.