About UWS

Building sustainable water and sanitation systems for Uganda’s small towns and rural growth centres.

Overview

The Umbrella Water and Sanitation Authorities (UWS) are regional utilities under the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) established to provide, operate, and maintain water supply and sanitation services in Uganda’s small towns and rural growth centres that are outside the jurisdiction of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).

In July 2017, the six Umbrella Authorities were gazetted as Water Authorities under the Water Act, Cap 152, empowering them to directly manage piped water and sanitation systems on behalf of the Government of Uganda.

UWS now serve as the backbone of rural and peri-urban water service delivery, ensuring that every Ugandan community  regardless of geography or income  has access to safe, reliable, and affordable water services.

The Umbrella Water and Sanitation Authorities (UWS) are regional utilities under the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) established to provide, operate, and maintain water supply and sanitation services in Uganda’s small towns and rural growth centres that are outside the jurisdiction of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).

In July 2017, the six Umbrella Authorities were gazetted as Water Authorities under the Water Act, Cap 152, empowering them to directly manage piped water and sanitation systems on behalf of the Government of Uganda.

UWS now serve as the backbone of rural and peri-urban water service delivery, ensuring that every Ugandan community  regardless of geography or income  has access to safe, reliable, and affordable water services.

Our Vision

Sound management and sustainable utilization of water and environment resources for the betterment of the population of Uganda.

Our Mission

Promote and ensure the rational and sustainable utilization, development, and effective management of water and environment resources for socio-economic development of the country.

Download Our Corporate Strategy

  • 1998–2016

    Our Journey

    • The Umbrella Concept was first conceived in 1998 in Kabale to provide technical support to piped water schemes previously managed by local governments and private operators.
    • By 2003, several rural schemes had joined forces to form Joint Support Schemes, improving service coordination.
    • However, under the old model, sub-counties and town councils acting as “Water Authorities” faced limited technical and financial capacity, leading to frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies.

  • 2016–2017

    Sector Reform

    In 2016, a national review by MWE found that:

    1. Many rural water systems were collapsing due to poor management and weak revenue collection.
    2. It recommended that:
    • All piped water systems be professionally managed.
    • NWSC continue managing large urban centres on a commercial basis.
    • Regional utilities (Umbrella Authorities) be formed to manage small towns, rural institutions, and community systems that could not sustain commercial tariffs.

  • 2017–Present

    Briefcase Briefcase

    Gazettement & Professionalization

    • In July 2017, six regional Umbrella Authorities were gazetted as official Water Authorities under the Water Act Cap 152.
    • They now operate under three-year performance contracts with the Ministry of Water and Environment, regulated and supported by the Utility Support Division (USD).
    • Each regional Umbrella manages multiple piped water systems, fecal sludge treatment plants, and supports non-gazetted schemes with technical and commercial capacity building.
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Umbrella of Water and Sanitation

UWS (Umbrella of Water and Sanitation) represents a model used by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) in Uganda to manage water and sanitation services.

Ministry of Water & Environment

Authorities

EUWS
CUWS
SWUWS
MWUWS
KUWS
NUWS

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Our Offices

Ministry of Water and Environment
Plot 3-7, Kabalega Crescent, Luzira
P.O. Box 20026, Kampala, Uganda

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