President Yoweri Museveni has given the green light for the establishment of a prepaid water meter manufacturing plant in Uganda, a move aimed at boosting water access, improving utility efficiency, and promoting sustainable resource use.
The decision follows a meeting at State House with a delegation from Helcraw Electrical Pvt Ltd, a Zimbabwean technology firm, in partnership with Liaison Technologies, a Chinese company specialising in prepaid water metering systems.
The team was led by Brendon Jere, Director of Helcraw Electrical, who presented a proposal to set up the facility within Uganda.
Jere explained that prepaid water meters have already transformed water service delivery in Zimbabwe, particularly by improving revenue collection for utilities and encouraging consumers to use water more responsibly.
“Prepaid water meters empower users to manage their consumption and ensure they only pay for what they use. This has increased access, accountability, and conservation in Zimbabwe. We believe Uganda stands to gain even more, especially with local manufacturing,” he said.
President Museveni welcomed the proposal, describing it as a “timely and impactful” initiative that aligns with Uganda’s broader goals of industrialisation, job creation, and efficient service delivery.
“This is a good idea. It will help our people access clean water while also creating jobs and supporting our industrial growth,” he said.
To fast-track implementation, the President instructed the Minister of State for Microfinance, Haruna Kasolo, to work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the project is licensed and provided with suitable land for development.
The prepaid water meter plant is expected to be the first of its kind in Uganda and will serve not only the domestic market but also the wider East African region.
The meters will allow households and businesses to load credit in advance and track usage, ultimately reducing water loss, ensuring fair billing, and easing the burden on utility providers.
The development aligns with Uganda’s ambition to localise manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and adopt smart technologies that improve service delivery in critical sectors such as water and energy.
During the same meeting, President Museveni also expressed strong support for a separate proposal by Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Ltd to develop a large-scale bulk water supply system for irrigation in the Teso region.
“Irrigation is a top priority for me. I will support any project that ensures food security and sustainable water use,” he said.
The two proposals reflect Uganda’s commitment to modernising its infrastructure and improving access to essential services through technology and local investment.
Once operational, the prepaid water meter factory will not only help streamline water utility services but also position Uganda as a regional hub for smart water management solutions—contributing directly to the country’s industrial growth and sustainable development goals.
