The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has long been committed to providing top-notch water and sewerage services in Uganda. To achieve this, NWSC understands that balancing its mandate with the needs of its diverse stakeholders, ranging from consumers, government branches, and development partners to suppliers, employees, and the broader community, is crucial.
The corporation constantly engages with its stakeholders to understand their dynamic expectations and strive to meet them. Therefore, the corporation leveraged multiple avenues in the form of programmes to engage with, and manage its stakeholders both internally and externally. These programmes include but are not limited to; Water Community Sensitization (WACOSE), Barraza, School Water and Sanitation Clubs, Akatale Ka’amazzi, and more.
These programmes are aimed at creating platforms via which NWSC can spread word about the corporation’s services, accelerate rapport with stakeholders, nurture the younger generation to champion a better tomorrow, and have open dialogue about issues affiliated to water, sanitation and the environment while advancing its mandate as defined in the NWSC Act 2000, Cap.317 Laws of Uganda section 5(1); “To operate and provide water and sewerage services in areas entrusted to it, on a sound commercial and viable basis.
Enter the Water Community Sensitization (WACOSE) Clubs, a programme launched in 2016, through which local area leaders such as councilors encourage residents to aid NWSC in arriving at its promise of “Water for All” and achieving all its objectives by reporting cases of burst pipes, illegal connections and vandalism to reduce water losses.
Then there is the Barraza; an event during which NWSC gives an overview and accountability to the public represented by members of parliament, the media, and security forces, summing up completed, ongoing and future plans/projects for better service delivery. The event is often characterized by; Water and Sanitation Intervention discussions, field tours of both the water and wastewater treatment plants, Panel discussions, keynote speakers and customer/stakeholder weigh-ins.
School Water and Sanitation (SWAS) Clubs; an initiative launched in October 2024 upon the realization that School children are the most vulnerable and yet a critical segment of the population, aims to impart life skills to school going children and the mobilization of caregivers, communities, governments, and institutions to work together to improve sanitation, as the future of a society depends considerably on the health of its children
The latest development is the Kampala Capital City Division Barrazas, an initiative championed by the Kampala Water Region’s Public Relations team led by the Manager, Ms. Vivien Newumbe. The Barrazas are designed to foster collaboration, improve service delivery, and address operational challenges faced by both external and internal stakeholders. To date, the team has convened Barrazas in the Rubaga and Kampala Central Divisions, with plans to extend these forums to Kawempe, Makindye, and Nakawa Divisions. These gatherings provide a platform for the corporation to build trust, ensure accountability, and tailor services to meet the specific needs of the various communities they serve.
Notably, the Barrazas are attended by a diverse group of participants, including NWSC staff, mayors, deputy mayors, local council members, and other administrative personnel. This wide representation ensures that the discussions are comprehensive and inclusive, addressing a broad spectrum of issues and perspective.
Through continuous engagement and innovative programs, NWSC is not just providing the water and sewerage services, but also building very significant bridges with the communities it serves.
