NWSC at a Turning Point: A Decade of Expansion, Reform and Kampala’s Growing Thirst

What the report says

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) held a roundtable discussion on Friday, August 14, 2026, at its International Resource Centre in Uganda to review the delivery of water and sanitation services, with a strong focus on the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. According to Watchdog Uganda, the meeting used figures and project updates to show how rapid urban growth is stretching a water system built for a much smaller city.

The publisher reported that Kampala’s daily demand is around 300,000 cubic metres, while output from Gaba Water Works and Katosi together is described as substantial but still not enough to eliminate supply gaps in all areas. NWSC Managing Director Dr. Silver Mugisha was cited as highlighting major growth since 2005, including a larger customer base, more connections, an expanded pipe network and higher revenue collection. The article also said the utility’s national coverage has risen sharply over the past two decades, alongside growth in towns served and assets under management.

Watchdog Uganda said NWSC is responding with internal reforms, including greater use of its own technical teams, stronger digital systems for billing, procurement, finance and water-quality monitoring, and expanded in-house project management. The report listed ongoing or planned interventions in Kampala and other towns, including network restructuring, supply stabilisation and new treatment and sanitation facilities. The article presents these changes as part of a wider effort to keep water services reliable and affordable as Kampala expands.

The piece adds that the challenge is becoming more complex because of ageing infrastructure, outward urban development and climate-related pressures. It also notes NWSC’s social-equity tariff approach, which keeps basic public standpipe water relatively low-cost while higher commercial charges help support the system.