Museveni greenlights local manufacturing of prepaid water meters, paving way for enhanced water access and industrial growth

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today given his unequivocal endorsement for the establishment of a prepaid water meter manufacturing plant in Uganda. This landmark decision marks a significant stride towards enhancing the nation’s water access, promoting conservation, and optimizing utility efficiency.

The President’s approval followed a constructive meeting with a delegation from Helcraw Electrical Pvt Ltd, a Zimbabwean company, in partnership with Liaison Technologies, a Chinese firm renowned for its expertise in prepaid water metering systems. The delegation, led by Mr. Brendon Jere, Director of Helcraw Electrical, presented a comprehensive proposal to set up a local factory dedicated to manufacturing prepaid water meters within Uganda.

Mr. Jere elaborated on the transformative impact their operations have already had in Zimbabwe, where they successfully improved water access, bolstered revenue collection for utility companies, and fostered responsible water usage. He emphasized that prepaid water meters empower consumers by allowing them to meticulously manage their consumption and pay only for the water they use, thereby instilling accountability, fairness, and a culture of conservation.

“The same model has worked in Zimbabwe and significantly improved access to water. We believe Uganda will benefit even more with localized production,” stated Mr. Jere, highlighting the proven success of their approach.

President Museveni warmly welcomed the initiative, lauding it as both timely and perfectly aligned with Uganda’s core national priorities of industrialization, job creation, and ensuring widespread access to essential services. He praised the project’s potential to uplift livelihoods in both urban and rural areas by guaranteeing affordable and reliable access to clean water.

“This is a good idea. It will help our people access clean water while also creating jobs and supporting our industrial growth,” President Museveni affirmed, underscoring the multi-faceted benefits of the proposed factory.

To fast-track the implementation of this critical project, the President issued direct instructions to Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Microfinance. Minister Kasolo is tasked with collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the investors are granted all necessary licenses expediently and allocated suitable land for the factory’s construction.

This development comes at a pivotal time when Uganda is vigorously pursuing policies to expand its manufacturing capacity, boost local content in various sectors, and enhance service delivery, particularly in vital areas like water and energy. Prepaid water metering is widely championed as a transformative solution for ensuring efficient water use, improving utility revenue streams, and enhancing equitable water access across communities.

In a related development during the same meeting, President Museveni also endorsed a proposal by Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Ltd. This proposal aims to establish an integrated bulk water supply system specifically for irrigation in the Teso region. The President reiterated the paramount importance of irrigation for boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring consistent water availability, stating unequivocally: “For me, irrigation is a top priority, and I shall support it.”

The new prepaid water meter factory is anticipated to serve not only Uganda’s domestic needs but also the broader East African region. This strategic positioning is set to establish Uganda as a regional hub for smart water management technologies, making a significant contribution towards achieving the sustainable development goals across the continent.