The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has embarked on a strategic partnership with Luweero Industries Limited (LIL) aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and fostering economic growth. Yesterday, June 5th, 2024, a high-level delegation from NWSC, led by Deputy Managing Director-Technical Services, Eng. Johnson Amayo, visited LIL to explore collaboration opportunities.
Major General Sabiiti Muzeyi, the General Manager of LIL, welcomed the NWSC delegation and provided a comprehensive overview of the various operations managed by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC). These operations include NEC Engineering, NEC Uzima, NEC Pharmaceuticals, NEC Security, NEC Farms, and NEC Watu, among others.
NEC, established in 1989, is the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and aims to redeploy military personnel and provide employment opportunities. LIL, a subsidiary of NEC, focuses on defense manufacturing and engages in joint ventures to produce armored cars, service parts, carpentry machines, masks, liquid soap, sanitizer, oxygen for the air force, and more. Major General Muzeyi highlighted LIL’s commitment to environmental protection through the management of electrical, pharmaceutical, and hazardous waste.
During the visit, the NWSC delegation which also comprised of Eng. Alex Gisagara, Senior Director of Engineering Services and the General Manager Kampala Water, Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, discussed potential areas of partnership with LIL. Eng. Amayo emphasized the need for domestic manufacturing of water meters to reduce costs and delays associated with imports, thus improving NWSC’s service delivery. Eng. Gisagara, stressed the importance of using high-quality materials and collaborating with reliable partners like the UPDF to procure top-notch materials.
The discussions also covered the development of package plants for municipal water and waste, material testing, capacity building, manufacturing of spare parts, heat treatment, and the production of mortars, foundry, and textiles. Both parties underscored the significance of technical assistance and highlighted successful collaborations with companies such as Streit for the UPDF and VEI for NWSC.
The NWSC team was then given a tour of LIL’s facilities, including a ride in a Kayoola electric bus manufactured by LIL. They visited the aircraft assembly area, motor assembly, welding and fabrication units, heat treatment facilities, and workshops where vehicles are manufactured. Eng. Amayo expressed admiration for the extensive and high-quality work being done at LIL and commended Maj. Gen. Muzeyi and his team for their contributions to national development through local manufacturing, job creation, and economic transformation.
The meeting concluded with discussions on specific areas for future collaboration. This partnership aims to enhance skills development, optimize operations, improve service delivery, and bolster the nation’s economy.