Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni on Thursday honoured Eng Silver Mugisha, the managing director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), with the Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his transformative leadership and exceptional contribution to public service.
The medal, presented during the national Labour Day celebrations at Nakale Grounds in Nakapiripirit District, is one of Uganda’s highest civilian honours.
Instituted in 2012 to mark 50 years of independence, the award recognises individuals whose service has had lasting national impact.
Since his appointment in August 2013, Dr Mugisha has led a dramatic turnaround of NWSC, growing its reach, financial strength, and operational efficiency.
Under his stewardship, the number of customer water connections has surged from 270,000 to over 650,000.
The utility’s annual revenue has tripled, rising from Shs150 billion to more than Shs445 billion.
Born in Bushenyi in 1968, Dr Mugisha joined NWSC in 1994 and steadily rose through the ranks.
He holds a PhD in Engineering and Economics from Makerere University, with research supported by the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida.
His doctoral work focused on performance monitoring and productivity design—tools he has since used to reform NWSC into a self-sustaining public utility.
Under his guidance, the corporation’s water network has expanded from 6,500 kilometres in 2013 to over 18,000 kilometres today.
Each year, more than 2,000 kilometres of water mains are laid across Uganda, up from just 80 kilometres annually before his tenure.
The number of towns served by NWSC has jumped from 58 to over 270, bringing clean water closer to millions.
NWSC’s surplus for reinvestment has more than doubled from Shs38 billion to over Shs96 billion, while the corporation’s asset base has ballooned from Shs650 billion to Shs3.1 trillion.
Service coverage now reaches 84 percent within municipalities and 74 percent across broader urban boundaries, thanks to investments in new pumps, boreholes and transmission infrastructure.
Beyond his role at NWSC, Dr Mugisha has held several strategic national positions.
He is the Chairman Emeritus of the Federation of Uganda Employers and of the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board.
He sits on the board of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and is a registered member of the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers and the Engineers Registration Board.
His contributions have also earned him global acclaim. Between 2014 and 2018, he served as Board Member and later Vice President of the International Water Association.
In 2024, the association awarded him its highest honour for outstanding contributions to water management. He is also the President Emeritus of the African Water and Sanitation Association, the continent’s leading body for the sector.
The 2025 Labour Day theme, “Consolidating the Gains of the Parish Development Model for Increased Productivity and Inclusive Job Creation,” focused national attention on public sector efficiency and service delivery.
For many, Dr Mugisha’s recognition was a fitting testament to what competent leadership in government institutions can achieve.
The Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded personally by the President, stands as a formal endorsement of Eng Mugisha’s contribution to national development—and of NWSC as a model for successful public enterprise in Uganda.
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