Uganda’s Water Utility Calls for Crackdown on Illegal Connections and Vandalism
Kampala, April 17, 2024 – Uganda’s push for universal water access is facing setbacks due to illegal connections, vandalism, and outdated metering systems, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has warned.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum in Kampala, NWSC Managing Director Silver Mugisha urged stronger collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and communities to tackle these challenges.
Illegal Connections and Vandalism Strain System
Mugisha revealed that illegal water tapping is not limited to low-income households but includes individuals deliberately bypassing payment systems. “Some people who can afford to pay still connect illegally, which distorts revenue collection and penalizes honest customers,” he said.
Vandalism of infrastructure has also worsened, prompting NWSC to work with security agencies. However, Mugisha stressed that community involvement is crucial. “Local leaders must help protect these assets—water theft affects everyone,” he added.
Metering Flaws Lead to Revenue Losses
A major technical issue is the inability of current meters to accurately measure low-flow water usage, such as overnight flushing. “Our meters don’t capture all consumption, leading to unaccounted losses,” Mugisha explained.
The problem extends to multi-unit buildings, where inconsistent metering results in significant non-revenue water—a financial drain on the utility. NWSC is conducting research to quantify these losses, with findings expected by June.
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite these hurdles, Uganda’s water access has improved under the 100% Water Service Coverage Acceleration Project (SCAP 100), launched in 2017. Key achievements include:
- Doubled connections (from 512,271 in 2017 to over 1 million by 2025).
- Expanded pipeline network (from 12,264 km to nearly 24,000 km).
- Tripled public standpipes (now 32,139), aiding low-income areas.
- Village coverage up from 18% to 65%, though 5,900 villages still lack access.
The government and NWSC have invested Shs 585 billion ($154 million) in the initiative, expanding services to 282 towns.
Next Steps: Policy Reforms and Public Awareness
Mugisha assured customers that automated billing alerts—sometimes delayed—do not cut off supply. “An SMS notification is just a reminder, not a disconnection notice,” he clarified.
NWSC plans to propose policy adjustments after its June study, aiming for fairer billing and reduced losses. “The goal is a system where no one is cheated—neither customers nor the utility,” Mugisha said.
As Uganda strives for full water coverage, the fight against illegal usage and infrastructure damage remains critical to sustaining progress.
— Reported by Nexio News
