The Managing Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha has called on the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board to accredit the NWSC skills Institute in Gaba to better beef up practical vocational skills training in the county.
Officiating at the 6th graduation ceremony in Kampala Mugisha further asked the authority to reconsider technical assessment charges to ensure a higher number of trainees can be admitted at the center.
NWSC Ggaba Vocational Training Facility (VSDF) is a specialized training institute located in Ggaba, Kampala, operated by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to train staff in water and sewerage services. It aims to develop technical capacity, improve service delivery, and enhance operational efficiency through accredited training programs
Mugisha further re-echoed his call to the technical graduates to prioritize customer satisfaction, emphasizing that the utility’s success relies on the quality of service delivered to the public.
He noted that technical proficiency must be paired with a commitment to meeting client needs promptly. He explained that the new charter is a formal promise to the public, setting strict accountability standards including response times for leaks and windows for resolving technical complaints.
Uganda Vocational Technical Assessment Board Executive Secretary Onesmus Oyesigye praised the utility’s model, calling on both government and private sector entities to emulate the NWSC approach to technical training.
Dr. Rose Kaggwa, the NWSC Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services, highlighted the corporation’s commitment to environmental sustainability through a proposed ICT waste bank.
Dr. Kaggwa also noted a significant milestone in gender inclusion, with female graduates increasing from 15% in previous cohorts to 24% this year.
NWSC Board Chairperson Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu described the milestone as a transition from preparation to purpose.
“Vocational skills development and technical training is the backbone of any thriving economy,” Dr. Kiggundu said. “The practical skills you have acquired, whether technical or service-oriented, are the skills that keep modern industries running and communities functioning.”
Dr. Kiggundu urged graduates to prioritize quality, noting that the demand for hands-on experience is growing alongside evolving technology. He outlined three core values for the staff: excellence, integrity and adaptability.
Allen Kagina Chariperson of TVET Council emphasized that while academic documents prove capability, the true measure of a graduate is seen in the workplace.
“The most important quality you have is going to be seen in the workplace, when you go to a client’s place. Treasure the document, but treasure the skill and the result beyond this document,” she stressed wuile addressing over 300 technical staff receiving certifications in various fields, reinforcing the utility’s internal capacity to manage water and sewerage services.
Kagina lauded NWSC for maintaining high institutional standards and advised technical professionals to prioritize character over credentials.
The graduating class included industrial plumbers, water treatment plant technicians, electro mechanical technicians, water quality control technicians and sewage plant technicians. Others included customer service advisors, welding and fabrication technicians, and faecal sludge plant operators.
During the ceremony, the new NWSC customer service charter was launched. The charter establishes clear service standards to improve client experience and strengthen the relationship between the utility and the public.
