The Chairperson of the TVET Council, Ms Allen Kagina, has called on technical graduates to place greater emphasis on integrity and personal conduct, saying reputation in the workplace outweighs formal qualifications.
She made the remarks as chief guest at the sixth graduation ceremony of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) held at the Gaba Vocational Skills Development Facility, where she stressed that academic certificates only open doors, but performance and character determine long-term success.
“The most important quality you have is going to be seen in the workplace, when you go to a client’s place,” Ms Kagina said. “Treasure the document, but treasure the skill and the result beyond this document.”
Ms. Kagina lauded NWSC for maintaining high institutional standards, noting that she often used the utility as a benchmark for excellence during her leadership tenure.
The ceremony also marked the official unveiling of NWSC’s new Customer Service Charter, which has been approved by the Board. The charter is intended to strengthen service delivery by setting clear standards for responsiveness, accountability, and customer experience.
The charter establishes clear service standards to improve client experience and strengthen the relationship between the utility and the public.
The 6th graduation cohort included 259 graduands receiving certifications in various fields, reinforcing the utility’s internal capacity to manage water and sewerage services.
NWSC Board Chairperson Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu described the milestone as a transition from preparation to purpose.
“Vocational skills development and technical training is the backbone of any thriving economy,” Dr. Kiggundu said. “The practical skills you have acquired, whether technical or service-oriented, are the skills that keep modern industries running and communities functioning.”
Dr. Kiggundu urged graduates to prioritize quality, noting that the demand for hands-on experience is growing alongside evolving technology. He outlined three core values for the staff: excellence, integrity and adaptability.
Regarding professional conduct, he asked the cohort to place character above financial gain.
“Be honest, reliable and accountable,” Dr. Kiggundu said. “Don’t put money first in whatever you do; money will come.”
NWSC Managing Director Dr Eng Silver Mugisha underscored the importance of customer-centric service delivery, noting that technical skills must always be matched with responsiveness to public needs. He explained that the newly launched charter formalises service expectations, including defined timelines for addressing leaks and resolving customer complaints.
Dr. Mugisha noted that technical proficiency must be paired with a commitment to meeting client needs promptly. He explained that the new charter is a formal promise to the public, setting strict accountability standards including response times for leaks and windows for resolving technical complaints.
Dr. Mugisha also called on the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board to accredit the NWSC skills institute to better support the sector. He further asked the authority to reconsider technical assessment charges to ensure a higher number of trainees can be admitted to the center.
Regarding the corporation’s financial performance, Dr. Mugisha reported that NWSC has reduced its expenditures by more than 17 billion Ugandan shillings and met all its target surpluses. He attributed these achievements to continued cost containment initiatives at the utility.
UVTAB Executive Secretary Onesmus Oyesigye praised the utility’s model, calling on both government and private sector entities to emulate the NWSC approach to technical training.
Dr. Rose Kaggwa, the NWSC Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services, highlighted the corporation’s commitment to environmental sustainability through a proposed ICT waste bank.
The initiative aims to establish collection points at local shops where electronic waste such as old phones and solar panels is measured and converted into tokens. These points can then be redeemed for household essentials like sugar and salt. The project is expected to be carried out in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission and the National Environment Management Authority.
Dr. Kaggwa also noted a significant milestone in gender inclusion, with female graduates increasing from 15% in previous cohorts to 24% this year.
The graduating class comprised industrial plumbers, water treatment plant technicians, electromechanical technicians, water quality control experts, sewage plant operators, customer service advisors, welding and fabrication technicians, and faecal sludge management operators.
The event underscored NWSC’s continued investment in technical capacity building as part of its broader mandate to improve water and sanitation service delivery across the country.
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