At the Kampala Water Headquarters on Jinja Road, the heads of section recently convened, to navigate the labyrinth of challenges surrounding Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and fortify the Kampala Greater Metropolitan’s water infrastructure ahead of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit scheduled for 2024.
Remarkably, Uganda is poised to host the 19th NAM summit under the theme “Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence” in January next year. This global gathering, operating on principles of unity and cooperation among nations, presents a unique platform for the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to showcase its commitment to excellence and contribute to Uganda’s positive international image.
Leading the charge was Eng. Andrew Muhwezi, Senior Manager of Water Production, who chaired discussions focusing on the intricacies of business growth, customer relations, and comprehensive strategies to combat water loss, whether through leaks, unauthorized usage, or malicious pipe cutting.
With His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni steering the summit, NWSC aims not only to maintain an uninterrupted water supply at the Speke Resort Munyonyo but also to capitalize on the significant business opportunities that the event brings. The challenge however lies in ensuring a seamless water supply to a diverse delegation from approximately 120 countries.
To meet this challenge head-on, the teams agreed to conduct a thorough demand analysis, scrutinizing the existing water supply infrastructure to guarantee optimal condition. Pipelines, pumps, and reservoirs were brought under the microscope, ensuring that they were ready to meet the heightened demand during the summit.
The meeting also looked into the importance of skill development, recognizing the impact of leakages, and emphasizing customer service excellence. Unique strategies, such as customer profiling to address non-compliant bill payers, were explored with the aim of optimizing revenue through identifying and placing large consumers on multiple sources, ensuring an uninterrupted supply and enhancing billing and sales.
Under the guidance of Mr. Otto Pacific Methodius, the Acting General Manager of Kampala Water, the importance of teamwork, resilience, and proactive planning took center stage. Mr. Otto stressed the need for a comprehensive plan to manage the shutdowns of Ggaba 1, 2, and 3, outlining step-by-step procedures, timelines, and responsibilities to minimize the risk of supply interruptions.
In essence, NWSC gets the opportunity to position itself at the forefront of water management on a global stage, portraying excellent service delivery.
