national 18 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Vandals Stealing NWSC Pipes for Building Materials, Disrupting Water Supply
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is grappling with a new wave of vandalism where newly installed steel pipes are being stolen and repurposed as construction materials, severely impacting water service delivery to communities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/vandals-turn-nwsc-pipes-into-building-materials-5637200
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is facing a disturbing trend of vandalism, with culprits stealing newly laid steel pipes and using them for construction, such as building veranda sheds. This destructive act is leaving entire communities without access to essential piped water for extended periods.
NWSC board chairperson Henry Alinaitwe expressed deep concern over this escalating issue, highlighting that it directly undermines efforts to expand water networks to underserved areas. He noted that the theft and subsequent repurposing of these pipes not only increase operational costs for the corporation but also frustrate its commitment to providing reliable water services.
Alinaitwe shared a personal account from his own village, where stolen pipes meant for a new water line were used to construct a verandah shed, leaving residents dry for six months. He lamented the shortsightedness of such actions, emphasizing the significant disruption caused.
Speaking at the NWSC’s annual performance review meeting in Kampala, Alinaitwe urged local leaders, including Resident District Commissioners and mayors, to collaborate with the corporation. He called for joint efforts to combat vandalism, theft of equipment, illegal water connections, and the encroachment on vital water sources.
Managing Director Silver Mugisha outlined NWSC’s ambitious plans to extend water supply to 50 new towns, with some projects already in the design phase and others in procurement. He appealed to political leaders to advocate for government funding to ensure these crucial infrastructure projects are realized.
The corporation is also undertaking significant upgrades to the water supply infrastructure in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, aiming to meet the growing demand through rehabilitation, restructuring, and expansion of the distribution network across Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, and Buikwe districts.