In a monumental policy endorsement that signals Uganda’s steady transition into a smarter, more industrialized economy, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given the green light for the establishment of a prepaid water meter manufacturing plant on Ugandan soil. The development is not merely a technological leap; it reflects the nation’s broader ambition to harness local industrial capacity, conserve vital resources, and enhance utility governance for sustainable service delivery.
The initiative, led by Helcraw Electrical Pvt Ltd of Zimbabwe in strategic partnership with Liaison Technologies of China, aims to anchor production of prepaid water metering systems within Uganda. At a high-level engagement held earlier today, Mr. Brendon Jere, Director of Helcraw Electrical, presented the proposal to the President, laying out a vision that could dramatically reform Uganda’s water utility management landscape. Citing Zimbabwe’s own experience, Jere underscored the transformative nature of prepaid metering, a system that empowers users to pay only for what they consume, thus incentivizing efficiency, reducing water wastage, and improving utility revenue flows.
President Museveni, impressed by the proposal’s alignment with Uganda’s national development agenda, welcomed the investment as a forward-looking intervention. In his remarks, the President praised the project’s potential to stimulate job creation, enhance industrial productivity, and ensure affordable access to clean water, especially in under-served areas. He characterized the investment as a dual-purpose innovation that will mitigate systemic inefficiencies in water service delivery while accelerating Uganda’s industrial takeoff.
“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, emphasizing that the project resonates with the broader national priorities enshrined in Uganda’s Vision 2040.
To expedite the realization of the project, the President instructed the Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, to coordinate with relevant authorities to secure licensing and allocate suitable land for the factory’s establishment. This fast-tracking directive underscores the strategic importance of the initiative, which is expected to serve not only domestic demand but also position Uganda as a key supplier of smart water technology across the East African region.
The approval comes at a critical moment in Uganda’s development trajectory, as the country consolidates gains in infrastructure, manufacturing, ICT, and energy. It reflects a paradigm shift from dependency on imported technologies to building indigenous capacity for innovation and production. With water becoming an increasingly precious resource, the local production of prepaid meters marks a significant stride in Uganda’s commitment to responsible consumption, fiscal prudence, and climate resilience.
Equally significant was the President’s concurrent endorsement of a proposal by Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Ltd to implement a large-scale bulk water supply system for irrigation in the Teso region. This initiative, targeted at enhancing agricultural resilience, affirms the government’s prioritization of irrigation as a cornerstone of food security and rural economic empowerment.
“For me, irrigation is a top priority, and I shall support it,” President Museveni emphasized, recognizing the profound link between water availability and agricultural transformation.
Together, these approvals represent more than isolated investment opportunities. They are a bold reflection of a nation determined to unlock its full potential through strategic industrialization, smart technology adoption, and integrated resource management. Uganda’s progressive leap into local manufacturing of prepaid water meters encapsulates a broader narrative, one of a rising nation, increasingly assertive in shaping its future and mastering the tools of modern development.
As the factory’s plans move from blueprint to reality, Uganda edges closer to becoming a regional nexus for smart utility solutions. This transformative step not only mitigates the inefficient use of water but also affirms the country’s vision to build a resilient, inclusive, and industrial economy rooted in innovation and sustainability.
