Dr. Kabaasha was appointed CEO of WASAC Group during the Cabinet meeting of July 16, 2025, succeeding Prof. Omar Munyaneza, who had held the position since September 2023.
With more than 10 years of experience in water distribution, Dr. Kabaasha held roles in various government institutions that later merged to form today's WASAC Group, where he has served since 2007.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, he underscored the urgent need to improve water distribution efficiency and reduce the amount of water lost before reaching consumers losses that could otherwise be put to productive use.
IGIHE: How prepared are you to take on your new responsibilities?
Dr. Kabaasha:
I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading WASAC Group. I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Paul Kagame, for the confidence he has placed in me. I accepted these duties with the full understanding that water is life, it is not just another service.
Drawing on my experience and commitment to serving my country, I am fully prepared to deliver on this mandate.
What are key areas that require more effort to ensure that Rwandans have reliable access to clean water?
In my view, four priorities stand out. First, professional service delivery is key. As WASAC staff, we must enhance the way we work by adopting modern technologies and developing robust water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. This will allow us to provide reliable, high-quality, and customer-friendly services.
Secondly, we need to place citizens at the center. Our people deserve better services. I will focus on listening to their feedback, providing them with accurate and reliable information, explaining the challenges we sometimes face in service delivery, and ensuring timely responses to their concerns.
Integrity and accountability come third. Every decision we make will be guided by wisdom, honesty, and the public interest. Our ultimate goal is to deliver dependable services built on trust.
Lastly, there is a need to invest in employees. WASAC staff are the institution's greatest asset. They are central to achieving all organizational goals. I will prioritize staff welfare and foster a positive work environment where they can perform with dedication, showcase their talents, and grow professionally.
In recent weeks, different parts of the country have been experiencing water shortages. What is causing this?
Indeed, there is currently a significant shortage of water across the country, particularly in Kigali City. Two main factors are responsible.
First, the dry season has led to a drastic reduction in water levels in the River Nyabarongo compared to previous years, which has in turn reduced the supply capacity of the Kanzenze water treatment plant.
Second, the demand for water among residents has sharply increased during this period.
To mitigate the situation, WASAC Group implemented a water rationing program. However, recent assessments have shown that challenges remain. Some neighborhoods have consistent water access, while others especially in Kicukiro District in Kigali go long periods without any supply.
To address this imbalance, WASAC Group is currently reviewing and improving its water distribution strategy to ensure that areas frequently facing shortages can receive a more reliable supply.
What measures are being taken to ensure that everyone has access to clean water?
Generally, there is still a gap between the demand for water and WASAC Group's supply capacity. This challenge worsens during prolonged dry seasons.
In the short term, our solutions include revising the water rationing program and reducing losses caused by leakages, so that all water produced actually reaches the population as intended. We also want to ensure rationing is applied fairly across all communities.
Long-term strategies focus on two main aspects: implementing new projects to build additional water treatment plants and upgrading existing ones to expand capacity nationwide. At the same time, we are working to reduce water losses, which currently stand at more than 38%, to at least 25â€"30%.
Water losses along the network are significant. What is being done to address this?
Indeed, WASAC currently has a Non-Revenue Water (NRW) level of about 38%. Over the years, we have worked with several development partners to address this issue. For example, in Rwamagana and Nyagatare branches, we partnered with a Dutch organization called VEI, and water losses were significantly reduced.
Similarly, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported WASAC in cutting water losses at the Kacyiru branch in Kigali.
These interventions will now be scaled up and applied across other branches in Kigali before the end of this year. We expect this will help bring water losses in the city down from 38% to between 25% and 30%.
What progress has been made with the project to install leak detection machines (SCADA)?
Currently, SCADA systems are already in use at WASAC's water treatment plants and in some reservoirs. However, using SCADA specifically to detect damaged water pipelines is still at the pilot stage. We are also seeking partners to help us implement this project at full scale.
What are the major projects currently underway to address Rwanda's persistent water challenges?
We have several projects across the country aimed at increasing the supply of water and ensuring it reaches the population.
One of these is the project to rehabilitate and expand the Karenge Water Treatment Plant. Once completed, the plant's capacity will rise from the current 12,000 cubic meters per day to 36,000 cubic meters per day. The water produced will serve the City of Kigali and Rwamagana District.
Another project is the rehabilitation and expansion of the Ntora-Remera water pipeline. This project will rehabilitate and extend 190 kilometers of pipelines in Kigali City, particularly in Gasabo District (Gisozi, Remera, Kinyinya, and Kacyiru Sectors), helping to address the existing water shortages.
There is also a project to rehabilitate the Nzove I Water Treatment Plant, which will then have a capacity of 40,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Outside Kigali, there is the Kivu Belt Water Supply Project. It involves constructing a water treatment plant with a capacity of 13,000 cubic meters per day and laying 125 kilometers of water pipelines. This project is expected to increase water supply in Rubengera and Bwishyura Sectors in Karongi District.
The Muhazi Water Supply Project will establish a water treatment plant with a capacity of 12,000 cubic meters per day and build 256 kilometers of pipelines. This project will benefit residents of five sectors in Gatsibo District (Remera, Rugarama, Kiziguro, Kiramuruzi, and Murambi) and three sectors in Kayonza District (Rukara, Murundi, and Gahini).
There is also the Volcano Belt Water Supply Project, which will rehabilitate and expand the Mutobo Water Treatment Plant, raising its capacity from 12,500 cubic meters per day to 43,000 cubic meters per day, along with constructing 178 kilometers of pipelines. Once completed, the project will increase water supply in Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu Districts.
Finally, we are also focusing on the Huye-Nyaruguru-Gisagara Water Supply Project, which will have a capacity of 24,000 cubic meters per day and involve the construction of 473 kilometers of water pipelines.
Do you consider prepaid water systems a sustainable solution?
Yes, prepaid water systems are a promising solution. They allow customers to monitor their water usage and avoid accumulating arrears. For WASAC, they ensure faster and more efficient revenue collection.
A pilot program has already started at 200 public water taps in Kigali and the Eastern Province. After proving effective, we are now seeking funding to expand prepaid systems to more public taps nationwide.
Additionally, WASAC has invited companies manufacturing household prepaid meters to conduct a six-month pilot program beginning in October this year. The results will provide key insights for deciding on a large-scale rollout to households.
Are smart meters still part of your vision?
Yes, smart meters remain part of our future strategy. We plan to test two types: prepaid meters (pay-before-use) and postpaid meters (which automatically transmit usage data without requiring WASAC staff to manually read them monthly). These solutions will improve transparency, minimize errors, and enhance customer service.
Why is water pricing for large institutions and industries considered very high?
It is often said that industrial water tariffs are too high, but this is not entirely accurate. Water tariffs are determined based on the actual costs of treatment, distribution, and ensuring sustainable service delivery.
For industries, one cubic meter of water (equivalent to 50 jerrycans) costs 736 RWF (excluding VAT). Considering the costs involved in producing and delivering reliable water, this rate is not excessive.
IGIHE
