Choosing a career is one of the most significant decisions high school students will make, guiding their university majors and ultimately determining their future professional paths. With an array of options and ever-evolving industries, proper guidance is crucial to making this decision strategic and less daunting.
Gayaza High School recognises this need and organises an annual Career Day. This event allows students to engage with some of the country’s leading companies and organisations across various fields, helping them assess their interests, strengths, and values, which aids in guiding them towards a career path where they can truly prosper.
Among the exhibitors at Gayaza High’s Career Day was Africa’s leading water utility, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). The NWSC team showcased a comprehensive array of career options, including chemical engineering, technical engineering, sewerage services, quality control, alternative electricity sources, capacity development, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, innovation, customer service, and administration. They encouraged students to consider careers in the water sector.
The team went beyond mere presentations; they demonstrated why NWSC dominates the sector in the region. Mr. John Mugaga, a biogas expert in the Sewerage Services department, captivated students with a demonstration of biogas generation from the anaerobic digestion of sludge using a prototype.
In the Water Production section, a “woman in STEM” inspired students to consider careers in water treatment management innovations. The Water Quality Control Officer, Ms. Monica Ndagire, explained the water treatment process, including abstraction, pre-chlorination, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, filtration, disinfection, pH correction, and pumping. She also guided the students through the corporation’s water quality labs, demonstrating pilot tests, jar tests, chlorine demand, and marble tests, emphasising water safety through chlorination and boosting.
In the public relations realm, the team effectively addressed queries about NWSC’s mandate, affiliated careers, new connection applications, and the reasons behind the different tarrifs. They also took the opportunity to discuss Non-Revenue Water, its negative implications for the corporation and its stakeholders, and encouraged them to report bursts, leakages, and water theft.
Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuheirwe, NWSC’s Deputy Managing Director of Finance & Corporate Strategy and Patron of the School Water and Sanitation (SWAS) Clubs, which Gayaza High is a member of, appreciated the Gayaza High Administration’s invitation and noted that NWSC’s participation aligns with its goals of stakeholder engagement and long-term capacity development to enhance access to water and sanitation for all Ugandans.
Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, General Manager of Kampala Water, emphasised, “Events like this give the corporation a platform to educate students about sustainable water, sanitation, and environmental conservation practices, instilling important values and habits from a young age.”
Ms. Sarah Namuwenge, the team leader and Senior Manager-Kampala Eastern Zone, affirmed NWSC’s commitment to enhancing community relations and investing in the future workforce that could lead the corporation to becoming the world’s leading customer service-oriented utility.
Other exhibitors included: CAA, UCU, UIPE, Busimeta University, MUBS, Uganda Police, TMC, PSFU, CPA Uganda, ISU, the Electoral Commission, and more.
Engaging directly with students allowed the NWSC team to promote STEM education and its relevance to real-world applications, potentially inspiring the next generation of water and wastewater management professionals.
