The Ministry of Water and Environment has presented a performance report on the implementation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto (2021-2026), highlighting key achievements, challenges, and future priorities in the sector.
The report, presented on November 29, 2024, focuses on three thematic areas: Creating Jobs and Wealth for Ugandans, Delivering Essential Services, and Protecting Life and Property.
Key Achievements
Under the Creating Jobs and Wealth theme, the ministry has:
- Constructed bulk water systems and valley tanks in cattle corridor districts to support livestock farming.
- Established irrigation schemes to boost agricultural productivity.
- Invested in water research and innovation to improve water management.
For environmental protection and sustainability, the government has:
- Increased national forest cover from 12.4% to 12.2%, with a target of 15% by 2026.
- Raised intact wetland cover from 8.9% to 9.3%.
- Distributed over 50 million tree seedlings for afforestation and reforestation efforts.
To combat climate change, the ministry has enhanced meteorological services by leveraging ICT, including social media platforms and a Weather Information Dissemination System (WIDS).
Challenges Hindering Progress
Despite progress, several obstacles have delayed full implementation of the commitments:
- Delayed approvals by development partners, affecting project timelines.
- Climate change effects, such as prolonged droughts and floods, disrupting water supply.
- Land acquisition disputes, slowing down infrastructure projects.
- Weak law enforcement, leading to illegal encroachment on wetlands and forests.
- Financial constraints, limiting restoration efforts and investment in alternative livelihoods.
The Way Forward
To address these challenges, the government plans to:
- Strengthen stakeholder partnerships and law enforcement to curb environmental degradation.
- Recruit more Environment Protection Force (EPF) officers to enhance compliance.
- Implement express penalties for environmental violations.
- Digitize forest reserve boundaries and integrate them with the land management system.
The Ministry remains committed to meeting its 2026 targets despite ongoing challenges. With continued investments and policy improvements, Uganda is poised to strengthen its water and environmental management efforts for sustainable development.