A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by its Technical Advisor Toru Tomioka, recently visited Uganda to gain deeper insights into the operations of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Over the years, JICA has supported several initiatives aimed at enhancing administrative and management excellence, water service delivery, and specialized trainings for NWSC staff. Therefore, this visit was a combined assessment & benchmarking tour of NWSC operations and served as a follow-up to prior training programs.
Dr. Rose Kaggwa, NWSC’s Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services lauded JICA’s longstanding partnership, particularly in capacity-building and skills development while emphasing the effectual impact of JICA’s training programs on NWSC staff, noting that the knowledge and skills acquired have contributed significantly to the Corporation’s service delivery. She however did not shy away from echoing ongoing operational challenges, hinting on the rising costs of energy and chemicals exacerbated by the deteriorating quality of water sourced from Lake Victoria, as well as the persistent issue of water theft.
Dr. Kaggwa therefore appealed for continued support from JICA, particularly in the form of scholarships and advanced training programs in critical areas such as water supply management, water quality improvement, non-revenue water (NRW) reduction, and wastewater management. She also expressed optimism that with enhanced collaboration, NWSC could further strengthen its ability to meet the growing demands of the communities it serves.
Still during their visit, the JICA delegation toured several key sites, including: A District Metered Area (DMA) at Sunset Apartments, a depiction of innovative water distribution management and NRW reduction strategies in the greater Kampala Metropolitan. The Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP), where they observed operations, environmental conservation efforts, workplace safety measures, and the employment opportunities created by NWSC, was also one of the stop overs for the delegation, as well as a Susteq prepaid meter in Namuwongo’s Yooka Zone, an advanced solution under the Urban Pro Poor initiative designed to enhance access to clean water by improving payment convenience, accessibility, and affordability.
The delegation also toured the NWSC Call Center, which operates 24/7 with a dedicated team of approximately 84 staff who handle an average of 1,200 customer complaints daily. The center ensures timely engagement with responsible staff to resolve issues efficiently. Additionally, the JICA team visited the NWSC Water Quality Laboratory, where they were introduced to rigorous procedures for maintaining high-quality water delivery. This includes extensive testing for pesticides, organic compounds, and other potential contaminants.
The partnership between JICA and NWSC continues to drive innovation, build capacity, and address critical challenges in service delivery, ensuring sustainable growth for the Corporation and the communities it serves.
