NWSC Unveils UGX 8.2 Trillion Strategy To Expand Water Access To 26 Million Ugandans By 2030
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has launched a new five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming Uganda’s water and sanitation sector through increased investment, infrastructure expansion, and improved service delivery.The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, themed “Water for All for Health and Prosperity,” seeks to expand access to clean and safe water while supporting Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan.
NWSC said the new roadmap builds on achievements recorded between 2020 and 2025, a period during which the corporation expanded its operations from 258 towns to 287 towns across the country.During the same period, the number of active customers increased from 724,000 to more than one million, while the population benefiting from NWSC water services grew from 15 million to 20 million people.The corporation also recorded financial growth, with annual revenue increasing from UGX 385 billion to UGX 649 billion. Customer satisfaction remained close to 80 percent despite rising demand and pressure on existing infrastructure.Under the new strategy, NWSC aims to extend reliable water services to at least 26 million Ugandans by 2030.
The plan includes expanding pipeline networks by more than 500 kilometres and creating about 60,000 new water connections every year in urban and semi-urban areas.A key focus of the strategy will be reducing non-revenue water, which currently stands at about 34 percent. NWSC plans to lower these losses to 28 percent by improving monitoring systems, repairing leakages, fighting illegal connections, and upgrading faulty meters.To implement the ambitious programme, the corporation estimates that it will require approximately UGX 8.2 trillion in investment over the next five years.NWSC management said about 60 percent of the funding is expected to come from internally generated resources, while development partners are projected to contribute 27 percent. Government support and other financing options will also support the implementation of the plan.The corporation noted that challenges such as rapid urbanisation, climate change, ageing infrastructure, and population growth continue to put pressure on water supply systems.
Officials revealed that some areas still experience technical water losses ranging between 10 and 15 percent due to infrastructure weaknesses, pressure variations, and inefficient network systems.To address these challenges, NWSC plans to accelerate digital transformation, rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, strengthen operational efficiency, and intensify efforts against vandalism and illegal water use.The corporation said partnerships with government agencies, development partners, and communities will be essential in achieving its goal of expanding access to clean water while building a more efficient and sustainable water supply system for Uganda.
