The Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, has unveiled five strategic leadership pillars aimed at accelerating women’s advancement into senior roles within the water and sanitation sector.
Dr. Mugisha made the remarks during the launch of the Empower Her Mentorship and Leadership Program, an initiative spearheaded by Professional Women for Water and Sanitation (P4WATSAN) to strengthen leadership capacity among women professionals in the sector.
The program seeks to move beyond representation by nurturing women leaders defined by technical competence, mentorship, and institutional influence.
Addressing participants, Dr. Mugisha emphasized that institutional sustainability depends on equitable opportunity, noting that organizations must deliberately create pathways that allow capable individuals to thrive.
“Equity goes beyond equal treatment. When institutions create equitable environments, they unlock potential that strengthens performance and sustainability,” he said.
Dr. Mugisha outlined five core pillars that will guide the Empower Her initiative, including equity in opportunity, mentorship, people-centered leadership, moral stewardship, and digital competence.
He stressed that leadership must involve building others and creating systems that enable future leaders to emerge.
“If you cannot be a mentor, you cannot be a leader,” Dr. Mugisha told participants, noting that the program is designed to cultivate a cycle of mentorship that multiplies leadership capacity across the organization.
He also underscored the importance of people-centered management, explaining that employee performance is closely tied to trust, recognition, and meaningful engagement from leadership.
“When people trust their leaders, they perform at their best,” he said.
Beyond technical leadership, Dr. Mugisha encouraged professionals to maintain a strong moral and spiritual grounding, describing it as a source of humility and purpose in public service. He further urged women in the sector to embrace digital literacy and innovation, highlighting the growing role of technology in utility management and service delivery.
“Do what makes you a capable leader. Competence will always open doors,” he advised.
Dr. Rose Christine Kaggwa, Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services at NWSC and Patron of P4WATSAN, described the initiative as a catalyst for transformational change within the sector.
She noted that the network was established to ensure that women professionals are equipped with the skills, mentorship, and support systems necessary to excel at every level of responsibility.
Other senior leaders also emphasized the importance of moving beyond participation toward meaningful leadership.
Charles Okuonzi, Senior Director of Finance and Corporate Strategy, and Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, General Manager of Kampala Water, called for greater involvement of women in strategic decision-making processes within utilities.
Eng. Lutaaya further encouraged male leaders to actively support women’s leadership advancement by creating opportunities for capable professionals ready to take on greater responsibility.
Meanwhile, Proscovia Akech, Director of Internal Audit, observed that although more women are entering senior management roles, structured institutional support and practical leadership tools are essential for sustaining this progress.
Organizers said the launch of the Empower Her Mentorship and Leadership Program marks a deliberate effort to build a pipeline of values-driven leaders who will help shape the future of Uganda’s water and sanitation services.
By strengthening mentorship, leadership capacity, and technical competence, the program aims to position women as key drivers of innovation and institutional transformation across the sector.
