Institutional Framework

National Environment Management Authority is mandated by the National Environment Act Cap 181 as the principal agency in Uganda, charged with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring, regulating and supervising environmental management in the country. It’s work in managing matters of the environment follows the institutional framework below.

• President and Cabinet-Policy and Strategic Direction
• Policy Committee on Environment-
• Ministry responsible for Environment-Ministry of Water and Environment
• National Environment Management Authority
• Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Local Governments, Urban Authorities

The president and the cabinet

The President and Cabinets provide strategic direction in the management of the environment in Uganda, The President or a person authorised by the President may, before signing a treaty, convention, agreement or other arrangement between Uganda and any other country or between Uganda and any international organisation or body, with environmental implications, consult the Authority and the relevant lead agency.

Where Uganda is a party to an international treaty, convention or agreement concerning the management of the environment, the Minister shall, with the approval of Cabinet, and in consultation with the Authority and relevant lead agencies—

• initiate legislative proposals for purposes of giving effect to such treaty, convention, or agreement in Uganda or for enabling Uganda to perform her obligations; or
• identify other appropriate measures necessary for the national implementation of such treaty, convention, or agreement.

Policy Committee on Environment.

The Policy Committee on Environment is responsible for strategic policy guidance on environment in Uganda.

The Policy Committee on Environment consist of—

• the Prime Minister, who is the chairperson;
• the Minister responsible for water and environment;
• the Minister responsible for agriculture, animal industry and fisheries;
• the Minister responsible for finance, planning and economic development;
• the Minister responsible for education, science, technology, and sports;
• the Minister responsible for health;
• the Minister responsible for lands, housing, and urban development;
• the Minister responsible for local government;
• the Minister responsible for gender, labour, and social development;
• the Minister responsible for tourism, wildlife, and antiquities;
• the Minister responsible for trade, industry, and cooperatives;
• the Minister responsible for works and transport;
• the Minister responsible for energy and mineral development;
• the Minister responsible for internal affairs;
• the Minister responsible for defence and veterans’ affairs;
• and the Minister responsible for information, communications technology and national guidance.

The functions of the Policy Committee on Environment are—

• to provide guidance in the formulation and implementation of environmental and climate change policies, plans and programmes;
• to liaise with Cabinet on issues related to the environment;
• to advise on legislative proposals and standards on the environment;
• to provide guidance on harmonisation of policies of Government with respect to the environment, natural resources, water, and climate change; and
• to perform any other function that may be assigned to it by Cabinet.

Key environment segment Lead Agencies 

• National Forest Authority
• Uganda Wildlife Authority
• Wetlands Management Department
• Directorate of Water Resources Management
• Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries
• Local Governments and Urban Authorities in charge of Waste, Noise, local forests, wetlands