Gulu City, Uganda: The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has unveiled an innovative mobile money payment system for prepaid water meters in Gulu City, aiming to improve service delivery, curb water theft, and enhance access to affordable clean water for low-income communities.
Gulu becomes the second Ugandan city after Kampala to roll out this smart water distribution system, with 140 prepaid digital water hubs, locally known as “ATMs,” now operational across key zones including Laroo, Onyama, Koro Abili, and Gulu Main, areas historically prone to shortages during dry spells.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement at the NWSC Gulu City Yard, Nyamungu Proscovia, the Senior Commercial Officer at NWSC, said the mobile money-enabled prepaid meters would eliminate middlemen, reduce water costs, and increase transparency.
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and innovative solutions can bridge the gap,” she noted. “At just Shs25 per 20-litre jerrycan, this system makes clean water affordable for everyone.”
The prepaid meters, each expected to serve about 50 households, are projected to benefit more than 7,280 people in Gulu City. Users can now buy digital water tokens via mobile money, drastically reducing reliance on water vendors who were previously charging up to Shs500 per jerrycan.
NWSC Public Relations Officer Ivan Tekakwo said the system will reduce exploitation at public standpipes and ensure fair pricing. “Many residents previously slept without water due to unaffordable prices. This innovation will change that,” he added.
Water Usage Set to Double
With this digitized system, daily water consumption in Gulu is expected to rise to 20 million litres, up from the current 6 million litres, as more residents gain access to safe, piped water.
The water will be drawn from two main reservoirs located at Custom Corner and Oitino Dam, with supplies underpinned by the Karuma-Gulu Water Project jointly funded by the World Bank and KfW, which already injected 10 million litres into Gulu’s reserves.
City Leaders Welcome the Innovation
Gulu City Commissioner Ambrose Onoria applauded the rollout and mobile money integration, saying it would drastically cut water theft and boost affordability. He called for greater community participation to ensure smooth implementation and prevent vandalism of the new meters.
Opio Anthony Vincent, Deputy Town Clerk for Laroo-Pece Division, also endorsed the project but urged NWSC to collaborate with local political leaders to identify high-need areas.
He raised concerns about the safety of tap water, citing recent spikes in typhoid, to which NWSC officials responded by reaffirming the system’s compliance with national safety standards.
Deputy Mayor Christine Olok said the system would be a game changer for the urban poor, stressing the importance of community training to sustain the technology.
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