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INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING
Decision-Making
Local Authorities and the Ministry of Gender and Community Development are full members of
the National Mechanism for Sustainable Development while the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, the
Natural Resources Management Forum and the Uganda Red Cross Society are advisory members.
Major Groups have not been represented in the National Delegation to the CSD for lack of
financial resources. If funding can be secured, the Government wants to include Major
Groups in the Delegation to the CSD 1997. In addition local authorities have not yet
developed technical competence in environmental management and policy formulation. Lack of
funding is one of the main constraints to sustainable development activities.
Strategies, policies and plans
A National Environmental Action Plan was developed which provides a broad framework for
integrating environmental concerns into the national development planning process. The
following steps have been completed:
- a National Environmental Management Policy has been developed,
- a Framework Law for Environmental Management has been developed,
- Guidelines on EIA were put in place,
- a plan was drafted for the development of an institutional framework,
- an Environmental Investment Programme was put in action addressing the areas of
capacity-building for environmental management, environmental education and public
awareness, biodiversity conservation and use, environmental health and pollution
management and enhancement of resource productivity.
Uganda is actively involved in several initiatives aimed at implementing UNCED agreements which have a profound positive impact on the lives of its people. These include:
Actions aimed at food security, including the national food strategy which is under discussion, and the Farming Systems Support Programme;
The National Tropical Forest Action Plan is being formulated to enhance the role of forestry in national and local development;
The National Action Plan for Water Resource Development and Management has been developed and a water policy has been formulated;
The initiation of the national environment action process led to the formulation of a comprehensive National Environment Management Policy and the enactment of a National Environment Statute 1995 which created the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) which is overseeing the implementation of Uganda's NEAP, whose main goal is to ensure sustainable development through sound management of the environment;
Mechanisms for the empowerment and involvement of marginalised sections or groups of
the community which have been put in place.
Challenges and constraints
With a view to integrating sustainable development aspects, about 90% of the national
legislation has been reviewed since UNCED and 10% of it has been revised. Among the
constraints found when implementing international legal instruments are lack of staff
resources, lack of technical expertise and lack of funding. Capacity-building in
environmental management is on-going at the district level. There is an urgent need for
further capacity-building activities.
Uganda is, however, facing constraints in implementing Agenda 21, including:
Agenda 21 is complex and its publication has been slow and inadequate to elicit the
full response; Financial resources to fund Agenda 21 programmes are inadequate; Accessing
funds from International Organisations is a complex and long process and the country has
limited capacity to access these international sources, for example, the Global
Environmental Facility (GEF); Institutional structures such as NEMA are just emerging and
lack the capacity to initiate and implement programmes; Conflicting national policies and
priorities also create problems, for example, the ever-rising electricity tariffs in light
of decreasing biomass resources
Information
A National Environment Information Centre has been established. Its mandate is to provide
accurate, timely and up-to-date information to policy and decision-makers.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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MAJOR GROUPS
Women
Decision-Making
Legislation, regulations and policy instruments
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed
on 30 July 1980 and ratified on 22 July 1985. The Ministry of Gender and Community
Development was created and strengthened to look after the interests of women, youth and
children. National councils responsible for each of these groups have been put in place to
promote their roles and views in national development.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
For information on WomenWatch in Uganda, click here:
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Children and Youth
Decision-Making
Strategies, policies and plans
In 1993, a national strategy for children was developed and a national council for
children created.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Indigenous People
No information is available.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Non-governmental Organizations
Decision-Making
Strategies, policies and plans
Major Groups have participated in the design and implementation of national sustainable
development projects and policies, so they contribute to the National Environment Action
Plan, to Wetlands Policy, the Water Action Plan and developing strategies for natural
resources and environmental information collection, analysis, dissemination and use.
Occasionally, Major Groups participate in environmental impact assessments at the local
and national levels. The decentralisation of Environment and Natural Resources Management
is an innovative approach to put local authorities in the forefront of sustainable
development. Local and national major groups' contribution to sustainable development is
essential; contributions of regional and international major groups are constructive and
helpful.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Local Auhorities
Status
The Government gives financial and technical support to local authorities. Local
communities are actively involved in development planning, especially in forestry matters
and in the management of protected areas.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Workes and Unions
No information is available.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Business and Industry
Decision-Making
Legislation, regulations and policy instruments
Enterprises are currently being required to include environmental concerns in their
programmes and investments, for instance, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are
required by law.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Scientific and Technological Community
No information is available.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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Farmers
Status
Through the Uganda Farmers Association, farmers are mobilized and exposed to the promotion
of sustainable farming practices and technologies.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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SCIENCE
Decision-Making
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Uganda National Council for Science and
Technology are responsible for science activities. The Uganda National Council for Science
and Technology Statute No. 1 from 1990, which is the relevant legislation, is presently
being reviewed. Makerere University and the Mbarara University of Science and Technology
both are advisory members for decision-making for environment and development at the
national level.
Constraints
Constraints have been found in linking policy makers and researchers. Migration of
scientists to other countries and from the science sector to more lucrative professions is
a serious problem and arises due to low salaries, lack of research facilities and limited
advancement. Funding for scientific research in the field of environment and development
was US$ 600,000 in 1980 and is now about US$ 4 million per annum.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
INFORMATION
Decision-Making
Strategies, policies and plans
Within the National Environment Action Plan a National Environment Management Policy for
Uganda has been developed which addresses policy issues including information for
sustainable development. The National Environment Information Centre has the mandate to
provide up-to-date information on the environment for development planning. The centre has
developed an environment database (e-mail address: NEIC@Mukla.gn.apc.org), and it develops
District Environmental Profiles and a National State of Environment Report. A User's Needs
Assessment was carried out in 1990; an inventory of available data on the environment was
carried out in 1993. Data are being collected on the physical environment in general and
on natural and renewable resources, in particular. Sector- and project-specific data are
collected. Traditional sources of information are being used. Special information is
needed in the areas of toxicology, health and safety and environmental standards criteria.
Main external sources for information on sustainable development are the World Bank,
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Resources Institute, United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and International Institute for Environment and Development
(IIED) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) (on health and safety).
Main Programmes
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the National Environment
Information Centre are in charge of developing indicators for sustainable development. In
cooperation with the World Resources Institute a program has been drawn up to develop and
use such indicators, but no work has been done until now because of lack of funds.
The National Environment Information Centre can access remote sensing data.
Constraints
Telecommunication infrastructure is inadequate: there are few computers available in the
country, and access to international telecommunication lines is limited. The insufficient
number of trained personnel and high costs of telecommunication are further constraints in
this field.
Availability of Sustainable Development Information at the National Level:
Agenda 21 Chapters |
Very good |
Good |
Some good data but many gaps |
Poor |
|
| 2. | International cooperation and trade | X | |||
| 3. | Combating poverty | X | |||
| 4. | Changing consumption patterns | X | |||
| 5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | X | |||
| 6. | Human health | X | |||
| 7. | Human settlements | X | |||
| 8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | X | |||
| 9. | Protection of the atmosphere | X | |||
| 10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | X | |||
| 11. | Combating deforestation | X | |||
| 12. | Combating desertification and drought | X | |||
| 13. | Sustainable mountain development | X | |||
| 14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | X | |||
| 15. | Conservation of biological diversity | X | |||
| 16. | Biotechnology | X | |||
| 17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | X | |||
| 18. | Freshwater resources | X | |||
| 19. | Toxic chemicals | X | |||
| 20. | Hazardous wastes | X | |||
| 21. | Solid wastes | X | |||
| 22. | Radioactive wastes | X | |||
| 23. | Women in sustainable development | X | |||
| 24. | Children and youth | X | |||
| 25. | Indigenous people | X | |||
| 26. | Non-governmental organizations | X | |||
| 27. | Local authorities | X | |||
| 28. | Workers and trade unions | X | |||
| 29. | Business and industry | X | |||
| 30. | Scientific and technological community | X | |||
| 31. | Farmers | X | |||
| 32. | Financial resources and mechanisms | X | |||
| 33. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | X | |||
| 34. | Science for sustainable development | X | |||
| 35. | Education, public awareness and training | X | |||
| 36. | International cooperation for capacity-building | X | |||
| 37. | International institutional arrangements | X | |||
| 38. | International legal instruments | X | |||
| 39. | Information for decision-making | X | |||
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
INTERNATIONAL LAW
Status
Signing and ratification of international agreements is done through an established
administrative and legal process. Several inter-ministerial committees have been
established to coordinate the implementation of International Conventions. Negotiations at
an international level could be simplified by facilitating national consultative processes
and by employing consultants to put together the different views which could be discussed
once or twice in an international forum. The UN should provide financial and technical
support to this consultative process and to the international meetings.
This information is based on Uganda's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
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