The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), in collaboration with partners, is conducting a 3‑day capacity building workshop for Senior Environment Officers and Economic Planners from the Lango sub‑region (Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Kwania, Lira, Otuke, Oyam & Lira City).

The training aims to deepen understanding of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, academia, private sector, and local authorities in developing and implementing PES schemes.

Partners include: Ministry of Water & Environment, Makerere University, National Planning Authority, ECOTRUST, and Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Section 67 of the National Environment Act, CAP 181 mandates NEMA to establish PES mechanisms. Draft PES Guidelines (2024) are ready and regulations are underway.NEMA has already rolled out PES training in Bugisu, Karamoja & Teso sub‑regions, and will extend to all districts and cities nationwide.

PES has been identified as a major potential means to augment finance for sustainable ecosystem management.

Globally, an average of around 25 per cent of species in assessed animal and plant groups are threatened, suggesting that around 1 million species already face extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken to reduce the intensity of drivers of biodiversity loss (CBD, 2022).

In Uganda, ecosystems including forests and wetlands account for 89% of electricity generation capacity in Uganda coupled with the contribution of 8.7% forests to the national economy that includes trade, employment, and value addition, among others. 

Tourism contributes about USD1.6 billion to the annual national revenue. The nature-based agriculture (fisheries inclusive) accounts for 23.7% of the GDP.

The current extent of natural resources may not adequately sustain Uganda’s population [that has surged from 2.5 million to 45.9 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 3.32% (UBOS, 2024)] or remain intact: if various environment management/biodiversity conservation tools are not adequately implemented or adapted to local environment and social needs.

Moreover, Implementation of the National Biodiversity Finance Plan 2019/20 – 2027/28 geared towards biodiversity conservation in Uganda calls for investment of USD 147,085,000 annually.

The biodiversity financing gap at district and city authority level is much wider than at the national level and hence the need to be innovative in developing local level financial solutions

Part 2 of the Second Schedule of the Local Governments Act Cap 243 highlights functions and services including: Water services (The provision and maintenance of water supplies in liaison with the Ministry responsible for natural resources, where applicable); All decentralised services and activities which include but are not limited to—crop, animal and fisheries husbandry extension services; forests and wetlands; community development; youth affairs; cultural affairs). All these provide an opportunity to district and city authority level to develop local level financial solutions.