By Philip Oyamo and Lillian Nabasirye
As Uganda’s Mid-Western Umbrella of Water and Sanitation (UWS-MW) expanded rapidly, its financial systems struggled to keep pace. What began as a small utility managing fewer than 30 water systems and 5,000 connections relied on manual and Excel-based accounting, resulting in delays, inconsistencies, and limited financial visibility. By 2019, with operations nearly doubling and monthly billing reaching UGX 155 million, these systems were no longer fit for purpose.
With support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, WSUP Advisory worked closely with UWS-MW and the Ministry of Water and Environment to identify and implement a scalable financial management solution.
Through a collaborative process, Sage 200 was selected, an integrated system capable of supporting budgeting, procurement, payroll, and real-time financial management reporting. Beyond system selection, WSUP Advisory provided hands-on technical support, change management, and capacity building, ensuring the system was embedded within the utility’s operations.
Implementation was not without challenges. Limited ICT infrastructure, inconsistent historical data, and initial resistance from staff required sustained support and adaptation. WSUP Advisory played a critical role in navigating these barriers, strengthening internal processes, supporting system integration with billing platforms, and building staff confidence to transition from manual to digital systems.
Today, the transformation is evident. With monthly billing now reaching UGX 450 million, UWS-MW operates with real-time financial visibility, improved cost control, and stronger accountability. Automated processes have reduced reporting delays and errors, while digital audit trails and role-based access have strengthened governance and compliance. Critically, management can now make data-driven decisions on revenue performance, expenditure, and investment priorities, something previously not possible.
Philip Oyamo is the Principal Consultant, and Lillian Nabasirye is the Resident Programmes Manager at WSUP Advisory CIC.