The Chairperson of the TVET Council, Allen Kagina, has urged technical graduates to embrace integrity and personal conduct in abid to enhance productivity in the workplace.
“The most important quality you have is going to be seen in the workplace,.Reputation is key to drive work..Therefore go to a client’s place, with skill and tintegrity beyond certificate document.”Kagina Stated while addressing the sixth graduation ceremony of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) held at the Gaba Vocational Skills Development Facility.
she stressed that academic certificates only open doors, but performance and character determine long-term success.
Kagina commended NWSC for its consistent standards of excellence, noting that even during her tenure in public service, she often viewed the utility as a model institution for performance and professionalism.
The ceremony also marked the official unveiling of NWSC’s new Customer Service Charter, which has been approved by the Board. The charter is intended to strengthen service delivery by setting clear standards for responsiveness, accountability, and customer experience.
A total of 259 trainees graduated in the sixth cohort, having completed training in various technical and vocational disciplines aimed at strengthening NWSC’s internal capacity in water and sanitation service delivery.
National Water and Sewerage Corporation Board Chairperson Eng. Dr Badru Kiggundu described the graduation as a shift from preparation to practical contribution.
“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.”
He encouraged graduates to uphold excellence, integrity, and adaptability in their careers, stressing that the demand for hands-on expertise continues to rise alongside technological change. He further advised them to prioritise ethical conduct over financial gain.
“Be honest, reliable and accountable,” he said. “Don’t put money first in whatever you do; money will come.”
NWSC Managing Director Dr Eng Silver Mugisha underscored the importance of customer-centric service delivery, noting that technical skills must always be matched with responsiveness to public needs. He explained that the newly launched charter formalises service expectations, including defined timelines for addressing leaks and resolving customer complaints.
Mugisha appealed for accreditation of the NWSC training institute by the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board, saying it would enhance its capacity to admit more trainees. He further urged a review of assessment fees to allow wider access to training opportunities.
On financial performance, he reported that NWSC had achieved savings of over UGX 17 billion while meeting all its surplus targets, attributing the results to sustained cost-control measures.
The Executive Secretary of UVTAB, Onesmus Oyesigye, praised NWSC’s training model and encouraged both public and private institutions to adopt similar approaches to skills development.
Dr Rose Kaggwa, NWSC Senior Director for Business and Scientific Services, highlighted ongoing environmental initiatives, including plans for an ICT waste bank. The project will allow communities to deposit electronic waste such as old phones and solar panels at designated collection points, which will be weighed and converted into redeemable tokens for essential household items like sugar and salt. The initiative is expected to be implemented in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission and the National Environment Management Authority.
Oyesigye noted progress in gender inclusion, revealing that female participation among graduates had risen from 15% in previous intakes to 24% this year.
The graduating class comprised industrial plumbers, water treatment plant technicians, electromechanical technicians, water quality control experts, sewage plant operators, customer service advisors, welding and fabrication technicians, and faecal sludge management operators.
The event underscored NWSC’s continued investment in technical capacity building as part of its broader mandate to improve water and sanitation service delivery across the country.
Last year National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) emerged winner of the Utilities and Government Services Digital Excellence Award at the 12th Digital Impact Awards Africa,.
The awards were part of the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, held under the theme “Maximising the Digital Dividend,” which brings together key players from government, industry, and the innovation ecosystem to advance digital and financial inclusion across Africa.
