Land and Water Use Management

The National Environment Management Authority, in collaboration with the relevant lead agencies, ensures that land, natural lakes and rivers are conserved for the common good of the people of Uganda.

A lead agency shall, in consultation with the Authority, ensure that environmental considerations are an integral part of land use plans.

A lead agency shall monitor the implementation of land use plans prepared by the physical planning committee within the jurisdiction of the lead agency, where applicable, in accordance with the National Environment Act Cap 181, and report to the Authority.

A lead agency shall, in the exercise of its functions under National Environment Act Cap 181, will consider the Physical Planning Act, 2010 and any other applicable law.

A person shall not, in relation to a natural lake or river, carry out any of the following activities—

   a. use, erect, reconstruct, place, alter, extend, remove, or demolish any structure or part of any structure in, on, under or over the lakebed or riverbed;

   b. excavate, drill, tunnel or disturb the lakebed or riverbed;

   c. introduce or plant any part of a plant, whether alien or indigenous, in a lake or river;

   d. introduce any animal or microorganism, whether alien or indigenous, in any lake or river or on, in or under its bed;

   e. deposit any substance in a lake or river or in, on or under its bed, if that substance would or is likely to have an adverse effect on the environment;

   f. divert or block any river from its normal course; or

   g. drain any lake or river.

A person who undertakes an activity under section 52 of the National Environment Act Cap 181 without approval of the Authority commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding thirty thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding twelve years or both.

The Authority may, in collaboration with the relevant lead agencies, authorise activities as prescribed by the National Environment Act Cap following guidelines for the management of the environment where the activity is authorised.