By Fidel Boy Leon
For years, Uganda’s water sector has struggled with outdated billing systems, illegal connections, and non-revenue water. But that’s about to change.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially endorsed the establishment of Uganda’s first prepaid water meter manufacturing plant, a project that promises to enhance access, reduce waste, and boost revenue collection for utility providers.
During a meeting at State House, President Museveni met with a delegation from Helcraw Electrical Pvt Ltd, a Zimbabwean firm with proven expertise in prepaid water systems, partnered with Liaison Technologies, a Chinese tech provider. The team, led by Mr. Brendon Jere, presented their proposal to build a local prepaid water meter factory to serve Uganda and the broader East African region.
“The same model has worked in Zimbabwe. We believe Uganda will benefit even more with localised production,” said Mr. Jere.
President Museveni welcomed the initiative, citing its alignment with Uganda’s goals for industrialisation, Job creation and Affordable and reliable access to clean water.
“This is a good idea. It will help our people access clean water while also creating jobs and supporting our industrial growth,” said Museveni.
To fast-track the project, he directed the Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, to coordinate land allocation and licensing with relevant authorities.
Prepaid water meters are digitally enabled systems that allow users to pay for water before consumption, eliminating reliance on estimates and manual billing.
Unlike the traditional postpaid system, where households are billed monthly based on estimated or manually recorded usage, prepaid water meters require users to pay before they consume water, similar to Yaka.
A consumer buys a set amount of water units using mobile money, bank payments, or authorised agents, and these units are digitally loaded onto a smart water card or token.
Once activated, the meter allows water to flow until the paid units run out. The system automatically shuts off when the units are depleted, helping households monitor and manage their usage.
Consumers receive alerts when water is running low, and topping up is instant and remote. This model encourages responsible water use, fair billing, and eliminates disputes over unpaid water bills or inaccurate readings.
Uganda loses nearly 36% of its piped water through leakages, illegal usage, and unpaid bills, according to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
Inconsistent billing, outdated meters, and limited rural infrastructure have hampered water service delivery, especially in low-income and underserved communities.
Prepaid metering offers a scalable solution that empowers consumers while improving the sustainability of water utilities.
Uganda joins a growing list of African nations turning to smart metering. Kenya for instance, has piloted prepaid meters in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru, with reported improvements in collection and reduced illegal connections.
Tanzania and Zambia have also embraced the model in selected municipalities. Uganda’s planned factory positions it as a regional hub for prepaid water metering, potentially exporting to neighbouring countries and contributing to Africa’s water resilience goals.
In the same meeting, Museveni also backed a proposal by Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Ltd to establish a bulk water supply system for irrigation in the Teso sub-region.
“For me, irrigation is a top priority, and I shall support it,” the President said, reinforcing the centrality of water in Uganda’s agricultural and food security agenda.