This paper from the water sector in Uganda turns on its head conventional wisdom about capacity growth and how long it takes to effect enduring change. This example of a transformational process that was driven by passionate leadership and, contrary to popular development wisdom, was front-ended by short-term results producing initiatives that led to longer-term impact. The experience of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Uganda reflects a tripartite relationship among results achievement, capacity development, and performance improvement. Within a couple of years, NWSC went from being a fiscally and operationally dysfunctional utility to a financially sustainable and efficient service provider. The story of this transformation and conclusions on how charismatic leaders can cause profound changes within a short time frame are outlined in this paper.