In the heart of Uganda’s small towns, water utilities are quietly transforming, one that may hold the key to sustainable development, reduced emissions, and climate resilience in some of Africa’s most resource-constrained communities.
The core of this transformation is energy efficiency. At a time when water utilities face soaring energy costs and unreliable power supply, the ability to reduce electricity consumption is not just a financial imperative; it is a public service necessity and an environmental opportunity.
Since 2022, an initiative led by WSUP Advisory has worked with two regional water utilities in Uganda to improve the energy efficiency of water supply infrastructure and boost the capacity of technicians to manage and maintain electromechanical systems. The results are not only reducing operating costs but also enhancing service reliability and building a replicable model for utilities across the country.
Uganda’s energy-water equation
In the Central region, the Central Umbrella for Water and Sanitation (CUWS) faced a familiar challenge. Nearly half of its operating budget was consumed by the cost of energy, whether from the national grid or diesel generators to power its network of pumped water schemes. The unreliability of the power supply further strained operations, leading to frequent breakdowns and service interruptions.
To address these issues, WSUP facilitated a two-pronged approach. First, a local engineering consultancy conducted a detailed assessment of six representative water schemes. This involved analysing energy consumption patterns, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending a phased plan for improvements ranging from immediate fixes to longer-term investments.
At the same time, a second local partner delivered a targeted training program for utility technicians. Combining classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, the training focused on fault detection, preventive maintenance, and basic repairs of pumps and control panels, skills that are essential for sustaining energy-efficient operations.
Post-assessment, WSUP funded critical upgrades at three sites, supplied necessary repair tools, and supported the development of internal capacity to manage future maintenance independently.
Ripple effects and systemic change
The impact has been measurable. Energy costs in the improved schemes dropped by 13–16%, and monthly system breakdowns across CUWS’s 84 water schemes were halved from 20 to 10. Preventive maintenance, once rare, is now standard practice. Knowledge gained by the engineering and maintenance team has been cascaded to more than 80 frontline pump attendants.
The Central Umbrella has also established an Energy Management Unit, a strategic move that signals its intent to embed energy efficiency in all aspects of its operations. Yet, even with this progress, integrating energy-conscious practices across the entire utility remains a work in progress.
Importantly, the initiative has triggered broader institutional learning. For the Ministry of Water and Environment, it highlighted recurring challenges in equipment design, procurement, and installation, reinforcing the need for stronger engineering oversight. For utility managers, it provided actionable insights into managing one of their largest cost drivers. And for water scheme operators, it was a rare opportunity to gain practical skills and see real-time improvements in service delivery.
Expanding the model: Mid-Western momentum
Inspired by the progress in the Central region, the Mid-Western Umbrella of Water and Sanitation (MWUWS) requested support to roll out a similar program. This time, the focus expanded to include not just maintenance training, but also equipping the team to conduct their energy audits and develop technical solutions.
The MWUWS engineering team has since developed an Energy Management Policy, conducted feasibility studies for solar PV installations on diesel-reliant sites, and prioritised installation of capacitor banks to improve power factor correction. They have also advanced a business case to secure financing for energy upgrades and defined a new set of performance indicators to better monitor their engineering and maintenance team.
The groundwork is being laid for a long-term transformation: a utility capable of attracting concessional and commercial financing by demonstrating operational competence and sustainable asset management. With reduced outages and smarter systems, the promise of safe, reliable water service for all residents in the region comes closer to reality.
Lessons for the region and beyond
This work marks the first comprehensive, specialist-led program of its kind for small-town water supply systems in Uganda, and interest is growing. Other regional utilities have already begun exploring similar interventions, and the Ministry plans to disseminate findings across the sector.
While energy efficiency might appear as a technical fix, its implications are far-reaching. In Uganda’s small towns, it is becoming a tool for financial viability, climate mitigation, and improved public health.
As global development agendas increasingly demand climate-smart infrastructure, the Ugandan model offers a practical example of how targeted investments, local partnerships, and technical training can deliver lasting impact, one pump, one technician, and one community at a time.
For further information about this work or upcoming activities, please contact Louise Kennedy at lkennedy@wsup.invicomm.com.