Since 1992, a national biological inventory programme has been underway. Analysis of this data should lead to the establishment of a scientifically based Nature Reserve network throughout the natural forests of Uganda. Surveys were initiated to establish the extent of natural forests outside the reserves. The studies should lead to a strategy of how to conserve non-gazetted forests. The Ministry of Natural Resources in cooperation with NORAD is carrying out a National Biomass Study.

A national timber inventory was carried out. A planning unit integrating the biomass studies, biological and timber inventories is to be established. The planning team shall have the mandate to carry out forest resource assessments, design appropriate planting programmes and plan, and establish and monitor the nature reserve network in natural forests.

Forest extension officers have been posted at the district level. They have supporting staff at the county and sub-county levels. The Government supports the effective implementation of the "Non-legally binding Forest Principles".

Encroaching agriculture is the most "serious" cause for forest loss and damages; effects from logging and need for fuel wood are rated "moderate".

Since 1990, more than 110 km2 of encroached forest have been replanted within an ongoing restoration programme. In addition, 20 km2 of Eucalyptus plantations have been restocked with the support of NORAD, since during the time of political instability more than 100 km2 had been degraded around major urban centres. Reforestation of harvested coniferous plantations has been too little and almost insignificant, due to financial and logistical constraints.

There is growing awareness of the need to further engage in afforestation, but, again, lack of funding and logistical problems have hampered any meaningful afforestation programme. Potential exists to establish more plantations in the reserved forest in the Savannah woodlands. This would reduce pressure on the natural forests. In recent years 7.48 km2 has been added to the area of softwood plantations. Most of the agro-based industries continue to establish sizeable plantations in order to become self sufficient in terms of fuelwood. Annual private afforestation is about 3 km2.

In 1990, an estimated 22.3 million m3 of fuelwood were used for commercial and industrial energy requirements. The Government encourages local farmers to plant woodlots and trees on farms for both fuelwood and environmental amelioration.

A biological disease control programme was established to control an Arphid disease that broke out in plantations. Livestock and wildlife grazing does not pose a big threat to natural forests.

Since 1990, efficient harvesting and processing of wood is being promoted. The Forest Department runs a demonstration sawmill, where sawmillers are trained in sustainable logging techniques. Efforts are also under way to promote the sustained harvesting of non-timber products. Nature based tourism is popular in Uganda's forests and is still being promoted.

Development of peri-urban forests to provide for wood resources needs of five urban centres have been accomplished.

The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa was signed in 1994.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

A country case study has been prepared as input to the inter-governmental negotiation committee of the convention to combat desertification.

There are three areas affected by desertification: the Karamoja Region, the Buruli-Luwero District and the Rakai District. Details have to be surveyed and more research is needed. A National Action Plan to Combat Drought and Desertification has been prepared but external funding is needed for its implementation. The Action Plan calls inter alia for education measures and raising awareness on desertification issues. Farmers and herdsmen are encouraged to diversify economic activities and find alternative livelihoods. Herdsmen are encouraged to settle in one place, and dams are being constructed. Tree planting is generally encouraged. Health services are being improved. Quick maturing crop varieties are being developed and introduced in dryland areas to improve food availability. Transport and communication infrastructure are being improved in dryland areas.

In 1994, 42 meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations were in use. This coverage is rated adequate and has improved since 1990. Soil and land monitoring is rated poor, as there are only two monitoring stations working. The Makarere University and the Kawanda Research Station make soil analysis and samples, but there is no feedback and advise to land users yet. Grazing and improper farming are the most serious desertification factors; effects from fuel wood collection, improper land use and natural causes are rated moderate.

Special programmes for mountain areas have not been developed, but country-wide development and conservation programmes also cover mountain areas. There are no incentives in place for farmers to undertake conservation measures in mountain areas. Income in mountain areas is partly generated from tourism (mountaineering).

All mountain areas are either vulnerable to or currently facing serious soil erosion, but detailed information on the areas affected is not available. Flooding and landslides have "significant" impact on mountain areas.

National Parks and animal reserves cover mountain areas. Controlled hunting areas have been established.

Working groups have been formed to address food security, rural welfare, demographic trends, international trade relations, farm productivity and ecosystem risks, self reliance of farmers, farm employment opportunities, the establishment of village level resource groups, survey of land degradation, institutional capacity for plant genetic resources, in situ conservation, R&D in plant breeding, breed development strategies, plant protection and animal health services. Some programmes have been established to address the issues mentioned.

Initial meetings were held to review land tenure and land-holding size, to collect data and establish databases, to strengthen land use and resource planning, to draw up land reclamation policy and establish programmes for degraded land, to increase food production, to make integrated pest management practices available to farmers, to maintain the integrated plant nutrition approach, to address soil productivity, to initiate the use of sound energy sources and to strengthen appropriate technology transfer and development.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992 and ratified in 1993.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified in 1991.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Wildlife Policy has been revised. The National Forest Action Plan has been prepared and the preparation of a National Biodiversity Strategy was initiated. A study has already been completed to identify costs, benefits and unmet needs in the field of biodiversity. National parks and game reserves and sanctuaries have been gazetted and forest conservation was re-emphasized to improve in situ protection. In the field of ex situ conservation, a tree seed project has been implemented aiming at the collection, processing, storage and distribution of high quality seeds. Information is being compiled on ecosystems to enhance conservation. Awareness is being raised in local communities on the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Habitat destruction and over-harvesting have a moderate impact on biodiversity loss of flora and fauna. The inappropriate introduction of foreign plants also has moderate impact on the loss of flora.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has been created to undertake the management of wildlife resources. A National Wetland Policy has been formulated.

At the national level, an interministerial committee addresses requirements for safe handling and risk management of biotechnologies. At the community level, safety issues are discussed in community meetings. Current projects are trying to make cassava resistant to the mosaic virus and getting higher yields from beans and making them resistant to local pests and diseases.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was signed in 1982 and ratified in 1990.

A Water Action Plan was approved by the Government.

A Water Statute was enacted by the Parliament in 1996.

A Water Policy was approved by the Government.

A National Wetlands Policy has been formulated and the National Wetlands Unit has made several achievements, including:

An Inter-Ministerial Committee of 17 members is in place to oversee activities of the programme.

A National Ramsar Committee has been formed.

The multi-disciplinary wetlands unit has technical staff with skills in wetlands management, conservation,

education, environment impact assessment, GIS and fisheries.

The Lake Victoria Environment Management Project is a 5-year regional project approved by the Governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and it is funded by the World Bank and GEF. It is aimed at sustainable utilization of Lake Victoria and its catchment area for the benefit of the riparian communities as well as the global community.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal has not been signed.

The latest information was provided to the Basel Convention Secretariat in 19--.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Policies addressing the management of hazardous waste including prevention of illegal international trade in hazardous waste are entrenched in the National Environment Statute No. 4 of 1995.

Draft Waste and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations, 1996, are in place and currently being reviewed.

non-piped sanitation water - the East Uganda Rural Water and Sanitation Project which includes a total of 20,000 demonstration latrines and 500,000 household latrines;

the Gulu, Lira and Mbarara projects which include a total of 6 treatment works;

the construction of the Mpererwe landfill for solid waste disposal for Kampala City.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

Since 1992, the Government received the following new and additional grant funding for sustainable development:

US$ 49.0 million from the European Union

US$ 15.4 million from the United Nations

US$ 149.9 million on a bilateral basis (UK, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Netherlands,

Japan, Germany, Canada, Denmark, US, IDRC)

Loans received:

US$ 294.5 million from the International Development Association (IDA)

US$ 88.5 million from others (ADR, BADEA, ADF, IFAD, EIR, NDF)

Debt SWAP

US$ 4.3 million from Austria

US$ 4.6 million from Germany

National budget for sustainable development:

1992 US$ 16.9 million

1993 US$ 20.1 million

1994 US$ 27.3 million

1995 US$ 25.2 million

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: Environmental taxes or other economic instruments for sustainable development have not been introduced.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: Fees and royalties for forest, hunting, fisheries and products have been reviewed

Uganda is a recipient country.

Sources for information on environmentally sound technology are:

- the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST),

- the National Environmental Management Authority,

- the Ministry for Industry.

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) cooperates with science and technology councils in Kenya and Tanzania and in other developing countries through the Commonwealth Science Council.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: Uganda has not yet adequately benefited from the transfer of appropriate, affordable and environmentally friendly technology.

Capacity building is particularly needed in the following areas:

- environmental economics,

- EIA and environmental audits

- environmental planning and monitoring,

- environmental law,

- land use planning,

Most programmes that have been developed after UNCED are based on national demands, but the participation of national professionals in the implementation is marginalised in preference for external experts. This undermines local capacity-building. The conditions attached to the funding related to purchase and recruitment of personnel for projects mostly favour the country of origin.

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 are a serious problem and arise due to low salaries, lack of research facilities and limited advancement.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

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.

A White Paper on Education has been prepared.

The UN and the GEF have provided financial assistance in support of educational programmes and have contributed to capacity and institution building.

The Makere University participates in international student exchange programmes and scholarships and has access to international data bases.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

Primary school age covers the age from 6 to 12 years; secondary education covers the age from 13 to 18 years. At the primary school level, curricula have been reviewed to address environment and development issues. A review is planned for all other levels in 1996/7. Printed material for environmental education is not being used. Occasionally, audio visual tools are used, and special classes and workshops are held. Programmes are planned to address tools for environmental education. The development of teaching and learning materials and teacher training have priority to reorient education towards sustainable development.

At all educational levels the following topics are being addressed in part: environmental health, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, ecosystems, recycling, energy saving. Environmental health and food are being fully addressed in specialized departments at university level, but there is still a need to design programmes.

b) Increasing public awareness

A National Tree Planting Campaign has been initiated and the TV-programme "Our Environment" has been produced to raise awareness on environmental issues. Main constraints to awareness raising activities are insufficient evaluation of programmes, untrained staff and financial constraints.

c) Promoting training

There is no pre-service training for the formal education sector, but pre-service is done in the informal sector for particular NGO programmes. A few in-service seminars are available.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:

NGOs have been involved in awareness-raising activities, e.g. in Conservation Workshops.

The following steps have been undertaken to foster opportunities of women:

- education policy stresses are child enrolment,

- university policy awards 1.5 extra admission points for female candidates,

- education policy requires gender balance in school administration hierarchy.

Legislation has been adopted to affirm the rights of indigenous peoples:

- education policy stresses community participation in educational programmes,

- the National Environment Law decentralizes environment management to community committees.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:

There is a lack of financial resources to improve training for teachers.

No information available.