Uganda has been officially selected to host the prestigious International Water Association (IWA) Water and Development Congress and Exhibition in 2027. The landmark announcement was made during the IWA’s 2026 Annual General Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, positioning Uganda as a central hub for global water and sanitation discourse.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) will lead the country’s preparation and execution of the event, working in close collaboration with the Government of Uganda and other national stakeholders. The 2027 Congress is projected to attract more than 3,000 international delegates, providing a massive boost to Uganda’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector, while driving business opportunities across the hospitality, transport, and service industries.
As one of the global water sector’s premier gatherings, the biennial congress brings together utility leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners, financiers, and technology providers. Together, participants will collaborate on practical, sustainable solutions to water and sanitation challenges, with a primary focus on low- and middle-income countries.
Following the announcement, IWA President Professor Hamanth Kasan and Executive Director Professor Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy convened an initial preparatory meeting with the NWSC leadership delegation, led by Board Chairman Professor Engineer Henry Alinaitwe and Managing Director Dr. Engineer Silver Mugisha.
Professor Kasan expressed unwavering confidence in Uganda’s capacity to deliver a world-class event, commending the Government of Uganda for establishing an enabling environment that empowers NWSC to drive water utility development across the African continent. The IWA aims to build upon the successes of its previous editions, which include the December 2025 congress in Bangkok, Thailand (1,700 delegates) and the 2023 congress in Kigali, Rwanda (2,700 delegates).
Accepting the hosting rights, NWSC Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha assured the global community of Uganda’s readiness. “You will get the best Development Congress,” Dr. Mugisha stated, highlighting Uganda’s legendary hospitality, robust conference infrastructure, technical expertise, and deep institutional experience.
Uganda’s selection is a testament to its proven capability to host large-scale international gatherings. In February 2025, Kampala successfully hosted the 22nd African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) International Congress and Exhibition, which drew over 2,500 delegates.
Beyond high-level technical and policy discussions, the Kampala 2027 Congress will focus on heavily increasing African participation in global water debates. Organizers have proposed targeted initiatives to support African university students and academic researchers in presenting papers and networking with industry practitioners.
Delegates attending the 2027 event will also have the opportunity to experience Uganda’s world-renowned natural tourism attractions, including the source of the Nile, Lake Victoria, various national parks, and mountain gorilla tracking.
Initial discussions in Glasgow also explored the potential establishment of a permanent IWA African hub, the location of which will be determined in a separate, upcoming assessment process.
The official dates and venue for the IWA Water and Development Congress 2027 will be finalized and announced in due course.
The International Water Association is the open society for water professionals worldwide, spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. Through its network of members and experts, the IWA drives innovation and promotes best practices to achieve a water-wise world.
