Uganda through the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC), will host the 2020 African Water Association (Afwa) Congress, which is expected to attract more than 2,500 delegates from national water and sewerage utilities across the continent.
The official launching ceremony of the dual event took place on Friday January 25, 2019 in Kampala, Uganda, in the presence of AfWA president Abderrahim El Hafidi, NWSC MD Dr. Silver Mugisha, AfWA Executive Director Sylvain Usher and AfWA coordinator and NWSC Director Dr. Rose Kaggwa.
Speaking at the launch of the Congress, the NWSC Managing Director, Eng. Dr Silver Mugisha, said that the Congress is expected to attract over 2,500 delegates cross Africa.
“The Congress will bring together a diverse range of practitioners, scientists, development partners and industry representative, working across different areas of water and sanitation sector across the world,” said Dr. Mugisha.
Dr. Silver Mugisha also assured the delegates that Uganda is one of the most hospitable countries if not the best, they will all feel at home and many of them might end up making Uganda their second home.
“We can promise you the hospitality of Ugandans. Uganda is the most hospitable Country in the world whether you agree or not. So tell everyone coming for the AfWA2020 that they’re welcome.” He said.
The NWSC MD added, “The aim of the #AfWA2020 is to improve water productivity in Africa through bench marking and sharing information at the conference come 2020.”
Mr Muhamood Lutaaya, the regional manager NWSC, revealed that during the 20th congress, AFWA will also celebrate 40 years of existence and launch the first ever African water and sanitation academy.
One of the key objectives of the AfWA2020 is to provide a forum for young water professions, students and early career researchers and practitioners to engage with international experts thus helping to educate the next emerging leaders.
“There will be every excellent exhibition to bring research and practice together in a way to come up with solution and innovation to address the water and sanitation challenges that Africa is facing,” He said.
The Congress will increase the visibility of Uganda and promoting tourism potential and bring a diversity of economic implication to the country.
The 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition which will be held from 24th to 27th February 2020 at Kampala Serena Hotel under the theme “Breaking new grounds to accelerate access to water and sanitation for all in Africa.”
This will be an opportunity to present the roadmap of activities that will take place until 2020, in preparation for the next World Water Forum to be held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal.
Uganda last hosted the Congress in 2010, followed by Morocco in 2012, Kenya 2014 and lastly was in Mali in 2018.
The African Water Association (AfWA), formerly known as Union of African Water Suppliers (UAWS), is a professional association of establishments, enterprises and utilities operating in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and environment in Africa. AfWA has over 100 utilities members from over 40 countries across Africa