Dr Silver Mugisha

A New Promise to it’s Customers-Nwsc Roles out New Corporate Plan

A New Promise to it's Customers-Nwsc Roles out New Corporate Plan

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation has rolled out a new Corporate Plan 2021-2024.

The plan is anchored on the country’s strategic plans; NDPIII, Government Manifesto, Vision 2040 and will focus on the following Strategic Priority Areas; Industrialisation, Infrastructure Development, Skilling and Work Force Development, Private Sector Involvement and Organisational Health Sustainability.

Speaking at the launch, Min of Water and Environment Hon Sam Cheptoris praised NWSC upon the timely completion of the Katosi water project and within cost.
He urged the corporation to implement the new plan to the delight of its customers and all stakeholders.

Hon Cheptoris expressed his delight on learning that NWSC now has surplus water to address all the water supply gaps in Kampala city.

He implored the water utility to protect the environment by planting trees, join the fight against pollution and implement CSR projects to benefit communities in Katosi

Min of State for water Hon Aisha Sekindi applauded the utility for the vigorous service extensions across the country.
She shared that her Ministry was innovating ways of protecting the final consumer from water vendors who sell water expensively and called on communities to support infrastructure projects and desist from focusing on project land compensation initiatives only.

Mukono South MP Hon Kayondo Fred appreciated NWSC for its excellent customer service, value addition to the water whicbh is usually abstracted dirty, from the heavily polluted lake. He further urged customers to pay for it, protect the environment and reciprocate the excellent service.

Hon Kayondo voted NWSC the best Government public utility and tasked them to extend services to the people of Katosi and the surrounding areas.

According to the Board chairman Eng. Dr. Prof Badru. M. Kiggundu, the completion and operationalisation of the Katosi water treatment plant, the water supply situation in Kampala has turned around service delivery in the city, with the formerly dry zones all eliminated and now saturated with water.
“The supply areas of Mukono, Seeta, Sonde, Namugongo, Kyaliwajjala, Kira, Bulindo, Naguru, Buwate, Kasangati, Gayaza, Namanve, Bweyogere, kirinya among many others which were previously dry zones, are all currently receiving water 24/7 from the Katosi system

Eng Kiggundu added that the new Corporate plan is a framework for a new promise to the people of Uganda, which is in tandem with the 5 year strategic direction

NWSC to boost water supply in the new cities
NWSC MD Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha revealed plans to improve construct water supply improvement projects, using modular designs, for atleast 7million litres/day additional capacity per city to serve for 7-10 years

Dr Silver highlighted Corporate Plan transformation initiatives which include;

1. Resilient Utility, 2. SMART utility model, 3. Innovation and Incubation center, 4. Strengthening NRW Accountability Framework, 5. In-house Meter Testing and Maintenance Labs, 6. Green Technology Adoption and Decentralised waste, 7. Competency- based Career Development, 8. NWSC Captive Insurance Company, 9. NWSC Captive Construction Company, 10. Digitization And Improved Work flow Processes For Agile Work Environment, 11. African Water and Sanitation Academy and, 10. In- House Medical Facility and E-health system

He also shared some of the game changing strategic interventions which include;
1) Mobilising funding for downstream sewerage collection infrastructure for Greater Kampala and design and implementation of low-cost appropriate sewage treatment technologies in other towns
2) Financial support for 6-Cities Water Supply improvement project, using modular designs, for atleast 7,000m3/day additional capacity per city, to serve for 7-10yrs (estimated budget: UGX 300Bn/-)
3) Support to high climate change resilience infrastructure for NWSC towns, through mixed technology options and decentralised WSS systems.
4) Mobilising more support from security agents to mitigate vandalism and theft of NWSC infrastructure assets, leading into financial and revenue losses
5) Strengthening provisions of financing agreements relating to loan financing so that the client has more soverign rights to decide on critical stages of procurements of projects
6) Mobilising financing to cater for funding gaps on settling arrears on completed projects to mitigate costly interest payments.

Dr. Silver added that NWSC is working on innovative systems to evacuate water from Katosi and subsequently address the water supply challenges in the city, work with NFA and NEMA to protect the environment, sensitize customers against pollution and urged customers to pay bills on time which helps the institution meet the water production inputs i.e power, chemicals, pipes, fittings etc

NWSC At a Glance
According to the Deputy Managing Director Technical Services at NWSC Eng Johnson Amayo the corporation has extended its footprint from 23 towns over 7 years back to now over 258 towns of operation, NWSC extends over 25000kms of Water mains across the country per year, connects over 58,000 customers/yr, installs over 3000 public points/yr among many others.

NWSC is also implementing water supply stabilization projects in Arua, Gulu, Bushenyi, Kapenguria, Fort Portal, Kalungu, Sembabule, Kapeeka, Lyantonde, Parombo among many other areas.

The Corporate Plan (2021-2024) will be implemented under the theme ” Transformative Accountable and Sustainable Service Delivery with the Mission to Sustainably and equitably provide cost effective quality water and sewerage services while conserving the environment and enhancing stakeholder trust.

Administration services department is energised and ready to work harder to achieve great milestones while protecting the image of the Corporation.

Compiled by John Fisher Sekabira

Dr. Silver Gives Opening Remarks at the NWSC Administrative Workshop

Dr. Silver Gives Opening Remarks at the NWSC Administrators Workshop

This morning, a team from the administration services department met to review the department Action Plan.

The two day workshop was graced by the NWSC MD, Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Silver was pleased with deliberations at the evaluation workshop, aimed at improving performance in the department.

In his address, he discussed;
• Trust relates to performance improvement.
• People with good intentions are the biggest asset of any company.
• Staff should always have a positive mindset.
• Staff should always adapt to any system they are assigned to work in.
• Consistency is important, be known for doing good things.
• Staff should all focus on building careers, trust and authenticity.
“Your deliverable today should be to come up with a revised action plan with an overall objective to improve performance.” he said

Dr. Mugisha also advised the team to interest themselves in the *House-to-house* exercise that is currently ongoing in KW and Areas of operation aimed at investigating anomalies in the field

He urged them to Interest themselves in the findings of the exercise; as some of the problems are being done by staff.
He tasked security to take them up, plan strategies and get solutions to the problems discovered.

On the issue of washing bays, Dr. Silver tasked the security department to link up with ISO to curb NRW. Alot is done in the night at washing bays.

In conclusion, MD thanked the team for the good work being done and urged them to take security of the reputation, staff and assets of the Corporation very seriously.

In the vote of thanks, CAS – Sarah Mwesigwa Mpabwa, thanked the M.D for the good counsel and sparing time to meet the Administrative Services team.

She promised to have all security matters addressed to the core, keeping in mind the NWSC brand.

Various presentations were made, some of which included;
Key Result Areas – Office Administration & Support Unit presentation by Principal Officer, Office Support Service – Ms Irene Birungi.

The Action Plan for the Office Support Services (OSS) Unit is drawn in line with the Annual Plans and Action Plans Framework for Administrative Services Department and NWSC. The Structure includes among other things, the streamlining and enhancing of the Administrative Services Department under the Board Secretariat & Management Services Business Stream. This unit has a self-motivated, experienced, disciplined, and well committed workforce that exhibits high levels of integrity and professionalism.
• Good ambiance and cleanliness of premises that are acceptable and compatible with the Corporations image.
• Maintenance of premises; careful handling & timely defects identification & reporting.
• Proper maintenance and custody of corporation equipment.
• Document drafting, control and management.
• Management and organization of appointments and meetings.
• Exhibit good customer care towards NWSC stakeholders.

Key Result Areas – Security unit, presentation by Manager Security – Mr. Stephen Tumwine.
• Ensure security of the corporation staff and assets
• Ensure that a cases where NWSC has interest are thoroughly investigated and concluded in accordance with the law.
• Ensure reduction of NRW through NRW reduction programs like WALOPU
• Training of security and other NWSC personnel.
• Information flow, feedback and communication.

Administration services department is energised and ready to work harder to achieve great milestones while protecting the image of the Corporation.

Compiled by Faith Aine Mpande

NWSC to Extend water to Kalungu

NWSC TO EXTEND WATER TO KALUNGU

With a population of over 177,000 people grappling with lack of access to clean and safe water, Kalungu residents were overjoyed after NWSC launched the ground breaking ceremony to extend water especially to Lugazi, Lusango, Mwota, Buyikizi, Bukulula, Bulindo and Kyamulibwa.

Scope
At the event, NWSC committed to address the short and medium term water supply challenges of towns and rural growth centers within Kalungu district that fall under NWSC’s jurisdiction.

The short time aimed at addressing immediate needs of Kalungu Town Council and Lusango Town including the neighboring rural growth centers through upgrading and expansion of existing water production and distribution infrastructure.

The medium term plan entailing major infrastructure development needed for longer term sustainability of water service privision in Kalungu based on surface water source from River Katonga-to take about a year and a half.

The event was presided over by the Managing Director of NWSC Dr.Eng. Silver Mugisha and Hon. Aisha Sekindi who doubled as the chief guest.

The Managing Director of NWSC Dr.Eng Silver Mugisha noted that NWSC will within 2years increase PSPs in Kalungu from 60 to 200, increase the network from 50kms to 90kms.

He emplored the residents and leadership of Kalungu to be corperative to ensure the success of the projects.

“We applaud the residents for the warm reception and hope that we shall cooperate while we worked to extend the services,” Eng Mugisha said.

Asked about the cost of water, he revealed that NWSC sells a jerry can of water at UGX25 only.

“We recommend that water vendors sell a jerry can of water at only UGX50. Please report vendors who over price water,” he said.

She also pledged her support towards NWSC’s projects.

The Hon Minister of State For Water Hon.Aisha Sekindi appreciated NWSC for the commitment to extend water to Kalungu and for implementing government programmes by extending water to the municipality and other places.
She also pledged her support towards NWSC’s projects.

The General Manager Masaka, Eng. Emmanuel Mujuni presenting a blueprint of the water supply project implementation plans.

The Area Manager Kalungu, Ms.Sharon Athieno thanked NWSC management for the vote of confidence and pledged to establish a good working relationship with the residents.

Written by: Allan Mwesiga

Dr. Silver Mugisha nominated in African continental awards

Dr. Silver Mugisha nominated in African continental awards

The NWSC MD Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha has been nominated in the African Leadership Business Awards 2021.

The awards recognize companies that have made a mark in their industry sectors through uncommon customer service, innovative products offering, community impact or technological offering, and concrete societal impact.

The Africa Regulator of the year award recognizes a government regulatory agency for it’s effective regulatory framework or policy initiatives and programs, implemented across national or regional levels 

The award also recognizes a team entity that encourages action beyond compliance with applicable laws, enhances stakeholders engagement and contributes to the growth of the nation or region. 

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) from Uganda has also been nominated in the prestigious continental awards under the category of Africa Company of the year.

IMG-20210807-WA0012

Under the Regulator of the year award, Dr. Silver faces off with;

1.Simbi Wabote (CEO, Nigeria Content  Development and Monitoring Board)

2. Prima Baluwa Koroma (Executive chairman, Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Sierra Leone)

3. Ishmael Stan Chioko (Ag CEO Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority)

4. Poppy Khoza (CEO South Africa Aviation Authority)

CLICK LINK BELOW TO VOTE NOW

Dr. Silver Mugisha Kickstart Leadership Training Sessions at NWSC

Dr. Silver Mugisha Kickstart Leadership Training Sessions at NWSC

Leadership development is one of the most pressing issues facing organizations today and great eaders have undying commitment to inspiring and developing new Leaders in their organisations.

To that regard, NWSC MD Dr Eng Silver Mugisha launched weekly online training sessions dubbed Super Leadership Development Series aimed at inspiring and developing Leaders within the organisation.

The sessions, to be held at the end of the every week are anticipated to add an aroma in the performance trends and employee skills at the Leading Customer centered utility, NWSC.

Giving reference to Micheal Porter,  a strategy expert and professor at Harvard Business School, Dr. Silver stressed the need for strategy to define and communicate an organisation’s resources, skills and competence to create a competitive business advantage.

According to Dr. Silver, leading with strategic clarity and focus is central in driving an entity’s performance. He added that the essence of a strategy is choosing what not to do and when the vision is clear,implementing strategy is easy.

“One is the leader’s jobs is to teach others in the organisation about strategy and also to say no if the strategy doesn’t suit the performance.” he said

He discussed NWSC’s strategic focus areas which include;

  • Service coverage expansion
  • Water supply stabilization and reality.
  • Improving technical efficiency
  • Maintenance and Consolidation

Concluding the discussion, he discussed the pitfalls of disregarding strategic focus and clarity.

He cautioned staff against mixing up priorities, lack of managerial, addressing complications in change management, addressing communication ineffectiveness, over sight conflicts, hardship in staff engagement, difficulty in harmonisation with shareholder interest and resource allocation ineffectiveness

“Leading with strategic clarify and focus is central in driving the entity’s performance” he said

Lead discussant and NWSC Deputy MD Eng Johnson Amayo shared insights into the different scholastic strategies and how they relate to operations at NWSC.

NWSC Senior Manager Public Relations Samuel Apedel moderated the session which included a Q&A session.

The weekly sessions are highly recommended and appreciated by NWSC staff as a performance game changer.

Make it a date to log in for the next session next week, Friday 23 July, 2021.

COMPILED BY JOHN FISHER SEKABIRA

Katosi water works complete, project handed over to NWSC

Katosi water works complete, project handed over to NWSC

This morning, Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant contractors and consultants handed over the newly completed 240million litres per day capacity Plant to NWSC.

The function was witnessed by the corporation’s Board Chairman Eng. Dr. Prof Badru.M.Kiggundu, chairman technical committee of the board George Runge, NWSC MD Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha and NWSC project engineers.

Speaking at the hand over ceremony, NWSC Board Chairman Eng.Dr. Prof Baddru.M. Kiggundu appreciated the management of NWSC for the excellent supervisory role of the project.

“This project was like a dream that has now come true. With it, we are going to resolve all the water supply challenges in Kampala City. “

“We are happy to note that some customers, previously in dry zone areas are already getting water. We are now working to serve other customers.” he said

Eng Kiggundu said that the project works have inculcated new innovative engineering skills among NWSC engineers which will subsequently improve services to the people.

He assured city dwellers of excellent water quality, excellent customer service and urged them to report all supply challenges to NWSC.

The chairman technical committee of the Board Mr. George Runge applauded the contractor and consultant for transformational works at Katosi. He reiterated NWSC’s commitment towards water for all across the country.

NWSC MD Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha congratulated the Government of Uganda and its people on this big milestone.

“This is an important day in our history as we receive the second water treatment plant for Kampala. With the additional water from Katosi, the combined water production from Ggaba and Katosi will help us address all dry zones in the city.” he said

According to Dr. Silver, customers in Seeta-Mukono, Mutungo, Sonde, Kyaliwajjala, Mbalwa, Namugongo, Kireka, Kyaliwajjala, Kungu, Nsasa, Kasangati, Gayaza, Najjera, Kiwatule, Naalya among many others are already connected to the new system.

“NWSC engineers have embarked on laying distribution mains to send the water to the entire Kampala Metropolitan service area. Plans are also underway to serve customers along Katosi road, Kisoga, Lugazi, Buikwe and the surrounding areas using the same system.” he added

He extended gratitude to the Government of Uganda, Ministry of Water and Environment and the development partners for the importance they place on the Water and Environment sector which has a fundamental role in ensuring the socio economic transformation and fulfilment of Government’s mission towards the development and Economic growth in the Country.

The Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant and Katosi-Kampala Transmission Mains Projects are part of the wider KW-LVWATSAN Project, whose objective is: To improve the living conditions of the residents in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area through provision of safe and reliable water supply services.

The Projects were funded by the Government of Uganda (GoU), National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-ITF), European Investment Bank (EIB), Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), and Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW).

The plant has a design capacity of 160,000m³/day (80,000m3/day + 80,000m3/day), with provision for future expansion to 240,000m³/day. The Katosi-Kampala Transmission Mains on the other hand was designed to evacuate and convey all 160,000m3/day produced in Katosi into the Kampala Water supply network.

Main Project Components

Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant;
  • 500m of DN1500 Off-shore Water Abstraction Pipeline into Lake Victoria (laid on the lake bed at a depth of 11m)
  • Intake Structure and Raw Water Pump station on the shore of Lake Victoria
  • Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) and Drinking Water Pumping Station (80,000m3/d + 80,000m3/d)
  • Ductile Iron Pumping Transmission Main (10km, DN1400)
  • Four (04) No. Storage Tanks at Nsumba hill, each with a capacity of 10,000m3
  • 33kV Power line extension from the new Mukono Industrial Estate Substation to the Katosi DWTP (over 40km)
  • Administration Office Block, Laboratory, Workshop, Staff Houses
  • Installation of SCADA and automation of the Plant operations

Katosi-Kampala Transmission Mains

  • 39km of DN 1400 ductile iron clear water transmission main from Nsumba reservoir to Namugongo
  • 2.3 km of DN 500/600 to existing reservoirs at Mukono and Seeta
  • Reinforced concrete water storage reservoir of capacity 15,000 m3 at Sonde
  • Booster station at Namugongo with two duty and one standby water pumps
  • 10 km of DN 700 ductile iron clear water pumping main, from Namugongo booster station to the existing Naguru reservoir
  • Staff houses at Sonde reservoir site and Namugongo booster station site.
  • Installation of SCADA system 

Katosi Water Treatment Plant at a Glance

The Katosi Water Treatment Plant uses the “Dissolved Air Floatation” Technology which is more suitable for raw water predominant with algae and low turbidity. Once the impurities and algae have been removed through the floatation process, the clarified water is filtered through Sand Filters before being disinfected and supplied to the distribution network. The Plant as such has a very low foot print, uses less chemicals in the treatment process, and uses less power because of the highly efficient process and equipment.  

Project Implementation Process

Financing for the Project was secured in 2011. This was followed by the preparation of the Kampala Water Supply Master Plan between 2012 and 2014, and the Project Feasibility Study from 2013 to 2014. The Consultant to prepare Conceptual designs and Project Supervision was procured in 2015.

Subsequently, Conceptual Designs and Yellow Book Tender Documents for the Project were prepared between 2016 and 2017.  The works contractor was procured between 2017 and 2018. Construction works for the Katosi Water Project commenced in August 2018 were substantially completed in March 2021.

The Plant has undergone a successful commissioning over the last three (03) months, and is currently supplying treated water to the Eastern, Northern, and Central parts of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Contract Details

Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Employer: National Water and Sewerage Corporation

Consultant:  GkW Tractebel in association with Alliance Consultants Ltd

Contractor:    Sogea-Satom in joint venture with Suez International

Contract Value:    82.2 million Euros

Date of Commencement: August 2018

Completion Date for Physical Works: March 2021

Plant Taking Over:  July 2021

End of Defects Notification Period: March 2022

Katosi-Kampala Transmission Mains

Employer: National Water and Sewerage Corporation

Consultant:  H. P. Gauff Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG –JBG–association with Mott MacDonald Ltd, Mott MacDonald (U) Ltd & Gauff Consultants (U) Ltd

Contractor:    Sogea-Satom

Contract Value:    81.9 million Euros

Date of Commencement:  September 2017

Completion Date for Physical Works: March 2021

End of Defects Notification Period: March 2022

Why Katosi?

Feasibility Studies prepared in 2003 had earlier suggested the option of constructing another treatment Plant in Gaba i.e. Gaba IV. This proposal was however later dropped in the 2009 Feasibility Study update, largely because of the following;

Deteriorating water quality challenges in the Inner Murchison Bay at Gaba, which would further increase the water treatment costs at Gaba

Mitigate the risk of relying on only one Plant in a singular location i.e. Gaba

The expanding water supply coverage area especially towards the Eastern part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area; need to zone the water supply and distribution network for proper management

As such, the Master Plan carried out in 2009 and later updated in 2014 recommended the construction of a Water Treatment Plant in the East (Katosi) and another South of Kampala (Wakiso West). It was on this basis that the Katosi Water Treatment Plant and Transmission Mains has been constructed. Important to note is that the Katosi site is located in a forest conservation reserve, which offers a long-term protection from encroachment and pollution, thereby guaranteeing good quality water.

Project Achievements

With the completion and operationalisation of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant and Katosi-Kampala Transmission Mains, the water supply situation in Mukono and Kampala has been turned around, with the formerly dry zones all eliminated and now saturated with water. The supply areas of Mukono, Seeta, Sonde, Namugongo, Kyaliwajala, Kira, Bulindo, Naguru, Buwate, Kasangati, Gayaza, Namanve, Bweyogere, Kirinya, etc which were previously dry and had perpetual water supply challenges are all currently receiving water 24/7 from the Katosi system.

Secondly, the overstretched Gaba System has been relieved of the extra demand, and is currently being used to supply the Southern, Western and Central parts of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. This has resulted into improved water supply reliability in that geographical area.

Future Outlook

The current water demand within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area is estimated to be between 280,000 to 300,000m3/day, while the Gaba Water Treatment Plant was only able to produce about 240,000m3/day. This is why there were numerous dry areas and water rationing within the City.

With the completion of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant (160,000m3/day), however, the total water production has increased to 400,000m3/day, and this is considered sufficient to meet the water supply needs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area over the next 10-15 years.

Focus shall be put on restructuring and expanding the water supply and distribution network to reach all the potential customers in the unserved areas. Furthermore, there is need to conserve the Katosi Catchment from encroachment and pollution if the quality of water is to be maintained undisturbed.

COMPILED BY JOHN FISHER SEKABIRA