All set for Africa water conference in Kampala

KAMPALA - All is set for this year’s African Water and Sanitation Association International Congress and Exhibition (AfWASA ICE) at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Kampala.

The congress, which will take place from February 16 to February 20, marks AfWASA’s 45th anniversary and is expected to draw over 3,000 delegates from more than 100 countries.

AfWASA is a professional association of establishments, enterprises and utilities operating in the areas of drinking water, sanitation, and environment.

It has over 237 members, 100 of whom are utilities from over 40 countries across the continent.

The 22nd AfWASA ICE is being organised by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), an agency of the ministry of water and environment, on behalf of the Government of Uganda in association with local partners and the AfWASA executive office.

Under the overall theme: Water and Sanitation for All: A Secure Future for Africa, the congress will provide a platform for professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative breakthroughs.

It will feature a comprehensive program comprising over 80 technical and poster sessions, numerous workshops, pre-congress seminars, and special forums.

“This congress provides the opportunity for professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and innovations that will accelerate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and ensure a secure future for Africa,” said Eng. Dr Silver Mugisha, the AfWASA president and NWSC managing director said.

SDG 6 is a UN Goal to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for everyone. It is one of 17 goals that replaced the Millennium Development Goals.

Mugisha also said the congress will mark the inauguration of the African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWASA), which will be hosted by NWSC.

AWASA aims to build capacity and accelerate safe water and sanitation services for all in Africa. “The academy will play a crucial role in training future leaders for the water and sanitation sector in Africa,” he said.

New Vision Online also heard that NWSC was selected as one of the top utilities in Africa to host and mentor other utilities due to its impressive track record.

François Olivier Gosso, the executive director of AfWASA, emphasised the urgent need for collective action, saying that the challenges and aspirations facing the continent are “strikingly similar”.

AfWASA says with just a few years left to achieve the SDGs, three in five Africans, or 411 million people, still lack safely managed drinking water, and only two out of the 54 countries are on track to achieve universal basic sanitation.

It also notes that safe water and sanitation are critical in shaping and securing Africa’s future.

“AfWASA ICE2025 aims at bringing to the forefront the good, practical, and tested practices and experiences, new knowledge and innovation, collaborations and partnerships, and financing solutions that will be key to accelerating access to safe water and sanitation for all of Africa,” it says on its website.

“The congress will be solution and innovation-focused,” it adds.

NWSC also noted that the congress in Kampala will be a crucial event for sector players, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to ensuring universal access to water and sanitation in Africa.

The AfWASA ICE program features a comprehensive lineup of plenary sessions, technical and poster sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and technical tours.

A high-level dialogue focusing on the congress theme will also take place, featuring keynote speakers and panel discussions.

The Government has already reassured travellers that the country remains a safe destination, despite a single confirmed case of the Sudan Ebola virus.

The health ministry has been implementing measures to contain the spread of the virus, including enhanced surveillance at all entry points, targeted vaccination, and deployment of rapid response teams.

These strict protocols have been put in place to protect both locals and visitors, ensuring that Uganda remains a secure and welcoming destination for travellers.

The last AfWASA congress was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in February 2023.