In a bold stride toward strengthening Uganda’s water sector capacity, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is positioning itself as a regional training powerhouse equipping its workforce and neighboring utilities with cutting-edge skills in non-revenue water management, customer care, and infrastructure maintenance.

A recent field visit by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officials to NWSC’s Mukono and Seeta branches underscored this vision, blending classroom theory with real-world practicality. The tour, a pivotal step in a year-long planning phase, assessed potential training sites where hands-on learning could transform water management strategies across East Africa.

At the heart of the initiative is Mukono’s Mbalala District Metered Area (DMA), a shining example of NWSC’s success in slashing water losses. Here, JICA delegates witnessed firsthand how systematic zoning, leak detection, and community engagement reduced non-revenue water, a model they hope to replicate in training programs.

“You can teach DMA concepts in a classroom, but nothing beats standing in the field where it’s working,” stated Eng. Jaqueline Bagonza, as the group examined meter tampering solutions at Seeta’s service center. “Trainees need to hear from the teams fixing leaks, engaging customers, and seeing what fails and why.”

The collaboration isn’t just about knowledge transfer. JICA’s due diligence also identified gaps in NWSC’s training facilities and field equipment as an opportunity for targeted Japanese support. From missing pipeline tools to outdated demonstration materials, the agency may supplement NWSC’s hardware, ensuring training is as robust as the curriculum.