Uganda water boss hails RWASCO

The Managing Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Uganda, William T. Muhairwe, has commended Rwanda Water and Sanitation Corporation (RWASCO) for its achievements in addressing major challenges of water availability and sustainability in the country. Muhairwe and his team arrived in the country this week to present his new book, “Making Public Enterprises Work” to officials at the Ministry of Infrastructure. The book is already on East African and European markets and according to Muhairwe, the proceeds from the copies to be sold in Rwanda will go to his charity that will sponsor Rwandan students to pursue their studies in Uganda. His charity is known as Muhairwe Education Trust Ltd. Addressing the Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water, Collette Ruhamya, and Yves Muyange, the Managing Director of RECO & RWASCO, Muhairwe said that RWASCO has gone a long way in overhauling its operational and financial portfolio to become one of the leading utilities in the region. “At least on the continent, RWASCO is one of the fastest growing public enterprises, with a youthful and energetic leadership backed by a service delivering government,” Muhairwe said. “My book shows how public enterprises can work successfully, whereby, instead of privatizing them, measures and regulations are put in place to promote them and assist them to operate sustainably.” Muyange said that both corporations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003, which opened way to a healthy relationship, especially in the field of sharing technology and information. “I invited Dr. Muhairwe to present his book to our water sector in Rwanda, to show how public companies that are prone to failure can be turned round to become more functional and deliver good services to the public,” Muyange said. Muhairwe has been the Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation for the last ten years and has confirmed that his book, which was launched in Uganda in March, will also be officially launched in Rwanda by President Kagame later this year. Ends