The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Luweero Industries Limited to strengthen engineering capabilities and improve water supply efficiency across Uganda.
The collaboration, formalized in Kampala, is designed to reduce operational costs, promote self-reliance, and foster technical innovation in water and sanitation service delivery.
NWSC Managing Director, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha underscored the importance of optimizing government-funded equipment to enhance service efficiency.
“This collaboration is critical for us. We are currently in the process of replacing pumps to increase capacity at Ggaba and other installations, but importing a new pump takes up to six months,” Dr. Mugisha explained. “By working with Luweero Industries, we can recondition, recalibrate, and extend the lifespan of our existing equipment, ensuring that standby pumps are always available in case of breakdowns.”
Dr Mugisha attributed the current water supply challenges in Kampala to extreme weather conditions, which have heightened demand while simultaneously depleting water sources.
As a short-term measure, NWSC is installing higher-capacity pumps and implementing bulk water rationing to stabilize supply in water-stressed areas. In the long term, the Kampala Water Supply Network Rationalization and Expansion Project is expected to improve water distribution across the city.
The partnership with Luweero Industries is expected to build in-house troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance capacity at NWSC, reducing reliance on imported spare parts and avoiding lengthy procurement delays.
“We have previously been forced to buy and replace equipment frequently, but now, with Luweero’s support, we will focus on maintenance, rehabilitation, and reuse,” Dr Mugisha noted. “The collaboration will not only reduce redundancy and lower costs but also promote research and development, allowing Uganda to manufacture and develop its engineering solutions.”
He further highlighted the technical advantages of the partnership, citing Luweero Industries’ specialized workshop machinery and precision equipment.
“We have over 1,000 pumps across our network, and by building local capacity to produce some of the spare parts, we will improve our water production schedules and reduce the time it takes to restore broken-down equipment,” Dr Mugisha said.
The partnership will also support the recently launched Kampala Network Rationalisation and Expansion Project (Package 2B), signed in January 2025, which aims to expand the city’s water supply infrastructure. This project involves the installation of 72 kilometres of pipelines, the construction of reservoirs, and the establishment of booster pumping stations to meet the growing water demands of Kampala’s population.
Luweero Industries, General Manager, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeeyi reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting NWSC’s efforts to enhance water and sanitation services.
“We are proud to partner with NWSC to address the water supply challenges facing our country,” Maj. Gen. Muzeeyi said. “We believe that this partnership will not only improve water supply efficiency but also promote research and development, allowing Uganda to manufacture and develop its engineering solutions.”
He also linked the initiative to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s vision of self-reliance through homegrown solutions. Maj. Gen. Muzeeyi commended Dr. Mugisha’s collaborative approach to addressing challenges and his commitment to expanding water access.
“NWSC has made significant strides in extending water services to many parts of the country, including Kotido, Moroto, and Matany. “We are committed to supporting NWSC in its efforts to provide safe and clean water to all Ugandans,” he added.
Eng. Andrew Muhwezi of NWSC emphasized the technical benefits of the collaboration, explaining that while NWSC has refurbishment capabilities, Luweero Industries’ advanced workshop facilities will significantly improve efficiency. “The partnership will enable us to extend the lifespan of our equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall efficiency,” Muhwezi said.
The collaborative framework, established for an initial period of three years, is designed to drive progress across several key areas. It will prioritize the manufacturing of spare parts, aiming to strengthen supply chains and ensure the availability of essential components. A significant focus will also be placed on improving municipal wastewater management, contributing to more efficient and sustainable environmental practices.
In addition, the framework will support advanced material testing, ensuring quality and reliability in various industrial applications. Efforts to enhance heat and surface treatment services will play a crucial role in improving product durability and performance. Capacity development initiatives will foster skill-building and knowledge transfer, while dedicated research and development activities will drive innovation and technological advancement.