Uganda has secured the opportunity to host one of the world’s most influential water and sanitation gatherings after being selected to stage the International Water Association (IWA) Water and Development Congress and Exhibition in 2027. The development is expected to put the country on the international stage, attract thousands of visitors and create new opportunities for investment, tourism and knowledge sharing.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) announced the development on October 11, 2026, following the announcement at the IWA’s 2026 Annual General Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 2027 congress is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates, including international water utility executives, government policymakers, researchers, financiers, development partners and technology innovators. Participants will discuss practical ways to address water supply and sanitation challenges, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. For Uganda, hosting the gathering will provide an opportunity to showcase its progress in water management while positioning Kampala as a destination for major international conferences and exhibitions.
Following the announcement in Glasgow, IWA President Professor Hamanth Kasan and Executive Director Professor Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy held preliminary discussions with a Ugandan delegation led by NWSC Board Chairman Professor Engineer Henry Alinaitwe and NWSC Managing Director Dr Mugisha. Other members of the delegation included NWSC Senior Director of Business and Scientific Services Dr Rose Kaggwa and Kampala Water General Manager Engineer Mahmood Lutaaya. The meeting focused on preparations for the congress and the opportunities it could create for Uganda and the wider African water sector.
Professor Kasan expressed confidence in Uganda’s ability to organise a successful event, noting the ambition to build on the achievements of the previous congress in Bangkok, Thailand.
He also highlighted the importance of increasing participation and membership across Africa. The IWA leadership commended the environment that has supported NWSC’s contribution to water utility development on the continent and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working with Uganda as preparations for Kampala 2027 get underway.
Dr Mugisha welcomed the selection, assuring the international association that Uganda was prepared to deliver a high-quality congress. He pointed to the country’s hospitality, conference facilities, technical knowledge and experience in hosting international gatherings. Professor Alinaitwe also expressed confidence in Uganda’s ability to mobilise the necessary support, citing its favourable climate, natural attractions and capacity to accommodate major events. The delegation said the congress would offer a platform for Uganda to demonstrate its capabilities while building stronger relationships with international partners.
Uganda’s selection follows NWSC’s successful hosting of the 22nd African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) International Congress and Exhibition in Kampala in February 2025, which attracted more than 2,500 delegates. Previous IWA congresses have also demonstrated the event’s growing reach, with the December 2025 edition in Bangkok attracting approximately 1,700 delegates and 200 exhibitors, while the 2023 congress in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together nearly 2,700 participants from 85 countries. The Kampala edition is expected to build on this international participation and further strengthen Africa’s presence in global water and sanitation discussions.
Beyond the technical discussions, the congress could deliver economic benefits to Uganda’s hospitality, transport, tourism and business sectors. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and exhibition service companies are among the businesses expected to benefit from the arrival of international delegates. The event will also provide an opportunity to promote Uganda’s tourism attractions, including the source of the Nile, Lake Victoria, national parks and mountain gorilla experiences. IWA leadership and NWSC also discussed encouraging Ugandan and other African universities to participate through student research papers and stronger collaboration between researchers and water sector practitioners.
The discussions in Glasgow further explored the possibility of establishing an IWA African hub, although its location will be determined through a separate assessment. Preparations for the 2027 congress will continue through cooperation between IWA, NWSC and other national partners, with the final dates and venue expected to be announced later. As Kampala prepares to welcome the international water community, the event presents Uganda with an opportunity to attract investment, expand professional partnerships and contribute to practical solutions for water and sanitation challenges across Africa and the world.
