The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has taken a major step towards formalizing and expanding its vocational training programme following a comprehensive institutional inspection by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council.
The inspection, conducted on 22 June 2026 under the provisions of the TVET Act, 2025, is a key requirement for accreditation and licensing of NWSC’s Vocational Skills Development Facility located at Gaba.
Established in 2013 with support from GIZ, the training facility has evolved into a centre of excellence for skills development within the Corporation, currently operating 11 active faculties that provide vocational training and capacity development for staff across various disciplines.
Speaking at a recent event, the NWSC Senior Manager for Training and Capacity Development, Ms Joyce Bakiire, said the inspection comes at a critical time following reforms in Uganda’s vocational training landscape.
“Last year, the Directorate of Industrial Training merged with the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) to form the Uganda Vocational Training and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB). This transition necessitated the updating of our institutional profile and alignment with the requirements of the new governing body,” she explained.
During the inspection, the TVET team conducted an extensive assessment of the institution’s infrastructure, governance systems and operational capacity. NWSC presented detailed documentation covering institutional governance, training facilities, staff qualifications, proposed training programmes, financial sustainability, strategic partnerships and internal policies.
The Corporation also demonstrated the availability of training materials, equipment, workshop facilities and established training arrangements aimed at ensuring quality vocational education and skills development.
Leading the inspection team from TVET, Eng. Irene Grace Nabagala commended NWSC for the progress made in developing its training infrastructure and institutional systems. During the exit meeting, she encouraged the Corporation to address the remaining requirements ahead of the set deadline of 24 June 2026.
Upon successful accreditation, NWSC will receive a full operating licence from the Uganda Vocational Training and Technical Assessment Board, enabling the Corporation to further strengthen its role as a provider of high-quality vocational skills training.
The accreditation also comes at a time when NWSC is enhancing its Training and Capacity Development (TCD) function. Effective 1 July 2026, vocational skills training operations will be managed under the NWSC Kampala Water, while assessment functions will remain centralised at the Gaba training facility.
Looking ahead, the Corporation plans to establish additional training centres across its regions to expand access to vocational skills development. Staff trainers will also undergo certification by the relevant examining and curriculum-designing bodies to ensure they are fully qualified to deliver industry-standard vocational training programmes.
The move underscores NWSC’s commitment to investing in human capital development and building a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the Corporation’s long-term strategic objectives and delivering sustainable water and sanitation services across Uganda.
