Deogratias Agonza

Professional Profile

Deogratias Agonza is a multidisciplinary engineering, water and sanitation, environmental and natural resources management professional with over 25 years of professional experience in engineering, construction, water supply, sanitation, environmental management, infrastructure development, project supervision and consultancy services.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Master of Science in Water and Sanitation Engineering, Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, Master of Business Administration, and a Diploma in Civil Engineering.

His multidisciplinary academic and professional background enables him to approach infrastructure and development projects from an integrated perspective, combining engineering design and construction, water and sanitation, environmental sustainability, natural resources management and project and contract management.

Professional Experience and Expertise

Planning, assessment, design, implementation, supervision and management of water supply, sanitation, civil engineering and environmental projects.

Civil engineering and building construction; urban, small-town and rural water supply systems; water source assessment and development; borehole and groundwater-based systems; pump selection and assessment; solar-powered water supply; transmission and distribution networks; water storage and treatment.

Sanitation and hygiene infrastructure; faecal sludge management and treatment; environmental assessment and management; Environmental and Social Management Plans; catchment and natural resources management; construction supervision and quality control.

Project and contract management; procurement and technical specifications; Bills of Quantities and cost estimation; infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance; operation and maintenance planning; stakeholder engagement and community mobilisation; technical monitoring, inspection and reporting.

Water and Sanitation Expertise

Experience in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, including assessment, planning, development and monitoring of water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Work areas include small-town and rural growth centre water supply systems, borehole-based systems, solar-powered water supply systems, sanitation facilities and faecal sludge management interventions.

Experience across the WASH service chain, from water source development and treatment through transmission, storage and distribution, to sanitation, faecal sludge management, operation and maintenance and environmental protection. He has also undertaken sanitation and hygiene assessments covering household and institutional sanitation, public sanitation facilities, service delivery and community practices.

Civil Engineering and Construction

Experience in construction planning, site supervision, measurement, quality control, materials assessment, technical specifications, infrastructure rehabilitation and project monitoring.

Particular interest and experience in connecting engineering design with construction implementation, ensuring projects are technically appropriate, constructible, environmentally responsible and fit for purpose.

Environmental and Natural Resources Management

Academic and professional background in Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management, supporting the integration of environmental considerations into engineering and infrastructure projects.

Experience includes environmental assessment, environmental management planning, environmental compliance, waste management, catchment protection, water resources management, environmental monitoring and community engagement.

Advocates for infrastructure development that balances technical performance, economic considerations, environmental protection and long-term sustainability.

Project, Contract and Procurement Management

Experience in project and contract management, including construction supervision, contractor monitoring, progress assessment, technical reporting, quality assurance, contract administration, measurement and valuation, assessment of variations and claims, and monitoring of project performance.

His Master of Business Administration complements his technical qualifications with expertise in management, organisational development, planning, decision-making and administration.

Experience in developing and reviewing Bills of Quantities, technical specifications, Terms of Reference, procurement documentation and construction materials specifications, with consideration of applicable Uganda Standards and other relevant technical requirements.

Professional Approach

Deogratias believes successful infrastructure development requires more than good engineering design. It also requires effective project management, appropriate technology, environmental responsibility, stakeholder participation, adequate operation and maintenance and consideration of the needs of the communities that use the infrastructure.

His multidisciplinary background allows him to bridge engineering, environment, water and sanitation, natural resources and management, providing clients with a broader perspective when addressing complex development challenges.

Professional Commitment

• Technical excellence; integrity and professionalism; quality and attention to detail; environmental sustainability; health and safety; value for money; practical and innovative solutions; effective stakeholder engagement; timely delivery; and sustainable infrastructure development.

Professional Statement

“I seek to apply my multidisciplinary knowledge and over 25 years of professional experience in civil engineering, water and sanitation, environmental management, natural resources management and project management to deliver technically sound, environmentally sustainable and socially beneficial infrastructure solutions.”