The Government, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has commenced preparations to host the 22nd African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) International Congress and Exhibition 2025, which will take place from February 16th to 20th, 2025.
In 2023, the African Water Association (AfWA) voted Kampala, Uganda, as the host of the AfWASA Congress and Exhibition 2025 during its Annual General Meeting held in Ivory Coast. The Congress, which focuses on water, environment, and sanitation, is expected to draw over 5000 delegates and exhibitors from various countries globally.
Speaking at the launch of preparations for the congress at NWSC offices in Luzira on March 26, 2024, the Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, advised the over 40,000 participants expected to focus on innovations aimed at enhancing the resource envelope as opposed to focusing on external funding.
He added that hosting the 22nd AfWASA International Congress and Exhibition aligns with Uganda’s vision of achieving SDG 6.
“This is timely as Africa grapples with the various challenges facing the water and sanitation sector. Most African countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, are off track to meet SDG 6 by 2030. I’m sure that bringing together experts to share knowledge, experiences, and new breakthroughs during the Congress will provide the necessary impetus to accelerate the attainment of SDG 6 and also ensure a secure future for Africa,” the Minister said.
He highlighted Uganda’s recognition that access to safe drinking water and sanitation services is a basic human right and that it has put water and sanitation at the forefront and is an enabler of sustainable development.
The AfWASA president, who is also the Managing Director of NWSC, Dr. Silver Mugisha, said the event will provide opportunities for networking for delegates to leverage and build business partnerships and discuss leadership and governance misalignment, including how the water and sanitation sector is managed in Africa.
Mugisha revealed that during the event, there will be a celebration of the establishment of the African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWASA), which is going to be a subsidiary of AfWASA, but its headquarters will be based in Uganda, and it is going to be a model institution for other utilities in the world. The academy will be a center of excellence aimed at improving the water and sanitation sector’s performance in Africa.
This will be the third time for Uganda to host the AfWASA Congress, following those of 2010 and 2020.