NWSC Explores Strategic Local Pump Manufacturing with Grundfos and Concessional Infrastructure Financing at World Water Congress

GLASGOW, Scotland — In a major step toward long-term utility sustainability and regional self-reliance, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has initiated high-level talks to localize the production of water pumps and components in Uganda.

On the sidelines of the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition in Glasgow, NWSC Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha met with executives from leading Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos. Dr. Mugisha proposed a strategic joint venture between Grundfos and Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to manufacture and assemble water pumps and critical spare parts locally.

Eliminating Supply Chain Delays:

Currently, NWSC relies on international shipping for electromechanical parts, leading to prolonged maintenance timelines. Establishing an in-country assembly plant will eliminate these delays and position Uganda as a central supply hub for water utilities across the African continent.

"For sustainability, if I work with you, I should be able to get your parts locally and not endure long waits to get parts from abroad," said Dr. Mugisha. "With NEC producing these spares, we can have a network supplying Africa."

The proposed framework outlines a comprehensive technological and capacity-building partnership including:

* Energy-Efficient Engineering where Grundfos will analyze NWSC’s hydraulic systems to design intelligent, energy-saving pumps, using a financing model where investment costs are recovered directly from energy savings.

* Smart Grid Technology through Implementation of automated fault-detection systems and prepaid water meters to reduce non-revenue water.

* Skills Development with Joint support for competence-based engineering training and the African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWSA) to upskill African water practitioners.

Supporting the management's push, NWSC Board Chairman Prof. Eng. Dr. Henry Alinaitwe pledged the Board’s full backing, while Dr. Rose Kaggwa, Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services, invited Grundfos to serve as the principal sponsor for the upcoming IWA Water and Development Congress, which Uganda will host in November 2027.

Securing Concessional Financing and Innovation Support:

In separate bilateral meetings, the NWSC delegation engaged with global development partners to secure flexible, low-cost capital for infrastructure expansion:

Dr. Mugisha presented NWSC’s audited financial statements to demonstrate the corporation's creditworthiness. He called for long-term, low-cost financing channeled through local African banks to fund infrastructure, climate resilience, and sanitation. Dr. Mugisha urged the World Bank to allow flexible financing structures so NWSC can execute its own cost-effective engineering designs and community-based deployment models. Bank officials commended NWSC’s strong performance and confirmed they would begin due diligence to assess direct framework support.

 NWSC requested targeted grants to back its internal Research and Development department as a regional innovation incubator. The partnership will focus on sludge management and the 50 Towns Water Supply Improvement Project, which addresses urgent water scarcity and on-site sanitation challenges in rapidly urbanizing towns. Gates Foundation officials lauded NWSC as a continent-wide "pace setter" and pledged active support for Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 IWA Congress.

NWSC Deputy Managing Director of Finance and Corporate Strategy, Francis Owot, reiterated that the utility maintains the strict institutional capacity required to manage these diverse global funds transparently alongside the Ministry of Finance.

These combined initiatives mark a aggressive leap forward in aligning Uganda’s water sector with national socio-economic transformation goals—cutting utility operating costs, reducing water-borne diseases, and expanding access to clean, affordable water.

NWSC:

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is a wholly government-owned utility providing water and sewerage services across designated urban centers in Uganda. Recognized globally as a model public utility, NWSC is dedicated to continuous innovation, financial self-sustainability, and clean water access for socio-economic growth