The African Water and Sanitation Academy to be established at the AFWASA congress is set to be global utility model institution

Following the launch of the 22^nd African Water and Sanitation Association International Congress & Exhibition (AfWASA) in March 2024 in Kampala, preparations are in high gear led by the host National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) for the event set to be held in Kampala on February 16 to 20, 2025 at the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo.

The theme of the event is “Water and Sanitation for All: A Secure Future for Africa” attracting over 3,000 water and sanitation stakeholders from various regions of the world to share experiences, exchange ideas, and collaborate on best practices and policies for the growth of the sector.

During the launch at the NWSC resource center in Bugolobi, Dr. Silver Mugisha, the NWSC MD, said the self-sustaining event will provide opportunities for networking for delegates to leverage and build business partnerships.

“We are going to talk about issues affecting the water sector in Africa. The issues are very clear. We know we are lagging behind as a continent as far as water and sanitation coverage is concerned. Very few people have water and safe sanitation on the continent, and there are many more who need to be served,” said Dr. Mugisha who is also the president of the African Water and Sanitation Association.

He said that the conference, which will be hosted in Uganda for the 3rd time, will also discuss leadership and governance misalignment, including how the water and sanitation sector is managed in Africa.

“In that congress, that’s when we shall be celebrating the establishment of the African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWASA) which is going to be a subsidiary of AfWASA, but it’s Headquarters will be based here in Uganda and it is going to be a model institution for other utilities in the world,” added Dr. Mugisha.

Dr. Mugisha said the center hopes to encourage their growth in the various aspects of leadership and change management. This goal will be achieved by innovatively combining the scientific, technical, and governance structures of the water and sanitation sector as part of a specific African identity. “The official launch of the AWASA will be one of the Congress’ key activities,” he said.

According to NWSC, the academy to be hosted by NWSC, Uganda, will be a center of excellence aimed at improving the water and sanitation sector’s performance in Africa. Its primary purpose is to build the capacity of water and sanitation utility managers and African decision-makers in the sector.

He tasked stakeholders to earnestly consider the effects of climate change. The heat waves and changes in weather patterns were never like today, highlighting environmental degradation as one of the key catalysts. He further urged sector players to adapt a dynamic mindset to address emerging challenges. “The mindset of yesterday cannot resolve the challenges of today,” he said.

Hon. Sam Mangusho Cheptoris, the Minister of Water and Environment, said that hosting the 22nd AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition aligns with Uganda’s vision of achieving SDG 6.

“This is timely, as Africa grapples with the various challenges facing the water and sanitation sector. Most African countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, are off track to meet SDG 6 by 2030 I’m sure that bringing together experts to share knowledge experiences, and new breakthroughs during the Congress will provide the necessary impetus to accelerate the attainment of SDG 6 and also ensure a secure future for Africa,” the Minister said.

Hon Cheptoris said that the government of Uganda recognizes that access to safe drinking water and sanitation services is a basic human right and that it has put water and sanitation at the forefront and an enabler to sustainable development.

“As a country, we have made strides in enhancing water and sanitation services, which we are proud of but we are also cognizant that more still needs to be done to achieve the SDGs,” he said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring water and sanitation for all.

Emmanuel Otiam Otala, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, said water is an essential commodity that needs to be given the priority that it deserves in terms of sector funding. “When our people don’t get clean and safe water, many things come in including diseases, malnutrition, and of course, the overall agricultural productivity in a country like this one will be affected,” he said.