The recent coronavirus outbreak does not change the fact that water shortage is the next big global crisis. Uganda is currently going through a dry spell and Ugandans are not having any of it. From social media campaigns and stakeholder engagements to television talk shows, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) teams are trying to calm the public as both short term solutions have been arrived at and long term solutions are in the pipeline.

The raving sun and electricity surges are not making the situation and easier. Water levels and production are low and with little water, supply in many parts of the country is affected. Don’t get me started on the sanitation challenges that come with that. If this keeps up, the biblical plagues will be nothing.

National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) coupled with its belief in “water for all” continues to come up with various ways to ensure that as many people as possible get water every day. For one, the corporation engages in rationing which sees some homes get water for half the day and the rest get supply for the other half. That way, everyone gets a bit of something and that way, a balanced water supply across the country is achieved.

NWSC is still stepping up the fight against the water shortages and is doing everything possible to see that the country is not consumed by it. The corporation has various on-going projects that will see to vast supply of water, holding on to the “100% coverage” dream despite the challenges at hand.  

Now in 256 towns, NWSC brags of a water service coverage of approximately; 84% within the municipality boundaries, 54% outside the municipality boundaries and 74% within and outside the municipality boundaries (overall).

 The Corporation has been expanding its water pipe networks by over 2,000 Km annually under the SCAP 100 Project.  Specifically, the Corporation laid 2,021 Km in the FY 2017/18 and 2,727 Km in the FY 2018/19.

In addition, the Corporation implements a number of Water Supply Improvement Plans in the Areas (quick-wins) aimed at boosting water production and improving water supply reliability. These included among others; installation of water pumps, drilling of boreholes, and laying of transmission lines. 

So this shortage may be quite the challenge, but it isn’t something that National Water and Sewerage Corporation cannot handle because it is all about water for all for a delighted customer by a delighted workforce.