A Nation on Edge: Unpaid Water Bills Prompt No Mercy as Police and Prison Services Are Cut-off NWSC Taps Over UGX43.3Bn Unpaid Flow

Kampala, Uganda – The heart of Uganda’s security apparatus is teetering on the brink of a crisis that threatens to spill over, quite literally, onto the streets. A foul stench could soon ooze out of the nation’s two most critical facilities—the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Prisons Service.

In a shocking turn of events, these government entities have defaulted on a staggering UGX 43.3 billion in water bills, forcing the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to take drastic action. On August 13th, the NWSC, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the country, cut off water supply to Luzira Prison, Uganda’s largest incarceration facility.

They proceeded to the Naguru-based Police Barracks and did the same. Luzira Prison alone is grappling with a massive UGX 19.4 billion debt, while the Police Barracks is drowning in arrears of UGX 23.8 billion. The implications of this disconnection are dire, with thousands of inmates and police personnel facing the harsh reality of life without water—a basic necessity.

“The Uganda Prisons Service is currently utilizing water bowsers to mitigate the water crisis. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing between the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Ministry of Internal Affairs, UPS, and NWSC to restore the water situation to normal,” Frank Baine, the Uganda Prisons spokesperson, said.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development had released UGX 2.3 billion in the first quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year, just a fraction of the UGX 79 billion allocated to NWSC. However, despite this disbursement, the arrears remain unresolved, leaving the facilities in a precarious position.

“This situation is a matter of national concern,” emphasized Frank Baine, Senior Commissioner of Prisons and Deputy Director CCA/Service Spokesperson, in a statement that underscores the gravity of the crisis. The lack of water has raised significant concerns about hygiene and safety within these facilities, with the potential for disease outbreaks looming large.

The crisis in Uganda’s water supply extends beyond the defaulting institutions, reaching the courts where a sensational case involving the NWSC is unraveling. On July 23rd, 2024, the case of Uganda vs. Kato Umar, also known as Mutebi, began to unfold, drawing a direct link between electronic fraud, unauthorized access, and theft involving the NWSC.

In a dramatic courtroom revelation, state prosecutor Judith N. laid out a compelling case against Umar, detailing a sophisticated operation that not only siphoned off NWSC resources but also undermined the entire water supply infrastructure. Evidence presented in court included tokens, a vending machine, and key documents, painting a picture of a meticulously planned heist that exploited the vulnerabilities within the NWSC’s system.

As the country grapples with this multifaceted crisis, the stakes have never been higher. The disconnection of water services to two of Uganda’s most critical facilities, coupled with a high-profile court case exposing the cracks in the nation’s water management, has left citizens and authorities alike on edge.

The question now is whether the government can stem the tide before the situation spirals further out of control, threatening not just the security of its institutions, but the health and well-being of those who depend on them. Uganda watches with bated breath, as the story of water—a life-giving resource turned harbinger of crisis—continues to unfold.

Author Profile

Daniels N Tatya: Mr. Daniels N. Tatya is an affluent Sports Writer, Commentator and Editor. His over 15 years of covering almost major sporting events makes him a revered and an authority on investigative Sports journalism in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected] +256(0)758268315