We are committed to ensuring sustainable management of Uganda's water and environment resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Our mission is to promote and ensure the rational and sustainable utilization of water and environment resources for socio-economic development.
Our Mission Statement:
To promote efficient and effective utilization of water and environment resources for a healthy, wealthy and climate resilient population
Vision Statement:
Transformed Ugandan Society with environment and natural resources sustainably managed.
Minister of Water & Environment
Minister of State for Environment
Minister of State for Water
Minister of Water & Environment
Minister of State for Environment
Minister of State for Water
The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), through the Regional Centre – South West, in partnership with key stakeholders, successfully held the 5th Edition o...
The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), through the Multi-purpose and Bulk Water Development (M...
Uganda is strengthening its fight against forest and wildlife crime through closer inter-agency coll...
On 26th August 2026, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Rural Water Supply and...
As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Uganda faces challenges such as poverty and infrastructure gaps, but it has made significant progress in education, health, and economic reforms. Despite its negligible contribution to global emissions (0.099 percent), Uganda is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ranked 13th in vulnerability and 160th in readiness, the country faces increasingly frequent and severe weather events such as floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. These extreme events are causing landslides, water shortages, and crop failures and other impacts, which threaten Uganda’s socio-economic progress. Following a request by the state minister for Environment in 2018, Uganda officially joined the Least Developed Countries initiative on Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) initiative in November 2020. A task force was established to draft a concept note on how LIFE AR would be implemented in Uganda. The concept note recommended the Devolved Climate Finance (DCF) mechanism as the preferred approach to deliver climate finance for local adaptation and resilience building. This mechanism aligns with Uganda’s devolved governance system, integrates climate change into local planning, and supports the country’s National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Development Plan. The initiative aims to build Uganda’s climate resilience by supporting community-driven climate action, with at least 70% of funding directed toward local priorities. LIFE AR in Uganda will strengthen in-country capabilities, systems and institutions for climate action, ensuring that there’s sustained funding for climate action and that at least 70% of this funding supports community priorities. The LIFE-AR program in Uganda has made significant strides, achieving key milestones in its Test & Evolve phase. Following the establishment phase, the program is being piloted in 12 districts across the countries with four districts of Kalungu, Kibaale, Pader Kaabong into the investment phase. Moving forward District-Wide Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) completed in all districts District and sub-county technical awareness meetings conducted PCCC election and training process completed Proposal development and investment selection for the first four districts completed Investment implementation in progress for the first four districts. Date joined: November 2020 Current phase: Test & Evolve Number of districts/sub-districts selected: 12 Pilot Districts Name of organisation responsible: Ministry of Water and Environment Name and function of focal point: Scovia Akot (National Focal Point) - Coordination of the Programme; Harriet Kyomuhendo (Alternate Focal Point) Follow us on social media X @LIFEARug
The EU-TF (SPRS-NU) Support Programme to the Refugee Settlements and Host Communities in Northern Uganda is a multifaceted initiative established under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Its primary objective is to address the humanitarian and developmental needs of South Sudanese refugees and their host communities in Northern Uganda, particularly in response to the significant influx of refugees since July 2016. The project aims to move beyond emergency aid towards more sustainable solutions, fostering stability and reducing the risk of conflict between refugee and host populations. Overall Objective and Specific Aims The overarching objective of SPRS-NU is to reduce the risk of violent conflict between host communities and refugees in the refugee-hosting districts of Northern Uganda. More specifically, the project aims to: Improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods of both refugee populations and host communities in a sustainable manner, by enhancing local production and fostering economic exchanges. Improve inter-community dialogue at the local level and establish conflict prevention mechanisms to mitigate clashes between or within communities. Improve the level of education and increase medium to long-term economic opportunities for refugees and host communities, especially youth and women, through skills development and entrepreneurship support, contributing to better integration. Ensure sustainable access to safe water and improve environmental sanitation conditions in targeted settlements and host communities. Project Components The SPRS-NU project is structured around several key components, often implemented by different partners to achieve its comprehensive objectives: Livelihood and Labor Market Relevant Skills Development: Focuses on providing quality skills training, entrepreneurial guidance, and start-up kits for refugees and host communities, with a particular emphasis on youth, women, and girls. This includes vocational training and accreditation of acquired skills. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Component: Concentrates on constructing and rehabilitating essential water supply systems (e.g., piped water systems), improving environmental sanitation through the construction of faecal sludge treatment plants, and establishing sustainable operation and maintenance structures for these facilities. Community Dialogue and Conflict Prevention: Aims to facilitate improved relations between refugees and host communities through dialogue mechanisms and the establishment of local conflict prevention initiatives. Basic Services and Education: Supports improved access to essential services like education, recognizing its role in long-term economic opportunities and integration. Key Activities and Progress Within the WASH component, the project has specifically targeted 12 settlements, including Alere, Nyumanzi, Maaji II, Olujobo, Ranch I, Ayelo, Maaji III, Pagirinya, Bidibidi Zone V, Eden, Afua, and Ariaze. The project has undertaken a range of activities to achieve its aims: Skills Development: Provision of technical vocational education and training (TVET) and entrepreneurship support, with thousands of beneficiaries receiving quality skills development and start-up kits. WASH Infrastructure: Construction of piped water supply systems and faecal sludge treatment plants, alongside geological and hydrological surveys and drilling of production wells in various settlements (e.g., Alere, Nyumanzi, Maaji II, Ranch I). Feasibility Studies and Designs: Ongoing detailed engineering designs for water and sanitation infrastructure in several settlements. Inter-Community Dialogue: Facilitating platforms for dialogue and conflict prevention. Mid-term Reviews: Periodic reviews (e.g., November 2023) assess project performance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability, providing insights for continuous improvement and learning. Impact and Legacy The EU-TF (SPRS-NU) project has played a crucial role in addressing the complex challenges arising from large refugee populations in Northern Uganda. By focusing on both immediate needs and long-term development, it contributes significantly to: Enhanced Livelihoods: Equipping refugees and host communities with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge, thereby increasing their economic opportunities and reducing reliance on subsistence agriculture. Improved Social Cohesion: Mitigating potential conflicts by fostering better understanding and shared benefits between refugee and host communities. Access to Essential Services: Providing sustainable access to safe water and improved sanitation, which are fundamental for public health and environmental well-being. Sustainable Development: Laying a foundation for more resilient and self-reliant communities, aligning with Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and broader development goals. While some components of the project have concluded their initial phases, the overall program’s integrated approach and its focus on sustainable solutions continue to inform and shape future interventions in refugee-hosting areas of Uganda.
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone by reducing over 8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through targeted efforts to combat deforestation. These results were reported in Uganda’s Biennial Update Report (BUR) and validated through the UNFCCC’s technical assessment and analysis processes. At the 43rd Meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board (27–30 October 2025, Songdo, Republic of Korea), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will present the project “Uganda REDD+ Results-Based Payment for Emission Reductions (2016–2017)”. The proposal seeks a USD 31 million GCF grant to reward Uganda’s verified emission reductions and support continued efforts to halt deforestation and forest degradation. This is the first REDD+ Results-Based Payment project in Africa to be presented to the GCF Board, positioning Uganda as a regional leader in climate mitigation and forest conservation. Forests under pressure Uganda’s forests are facing increasing threats from agricultural and settlement expansion, grazing, and unsustainable wood harvesting for charcoal and timber. These proximate drivers are underpinned by broader socio-economic factors, including, limited economic alternatives, weak governance, insecure land tenure, and rapid population growth. Agricultural conversion for commodities, such as cassava and cattle, is responsible for over 90 percent of forest loss. These pressures are eroding vital ecosystems and accelerating emissions, underscoring the urgent need for policies and measures that both sustain existing forests and expand forest cover while safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. This project will build on Uganda’s REDD+ Strategy and address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation through: Sustainable land management and agroforestry; Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable woodfuel production; Community-based pole and timber plantations; and Restoration of natural forests. These strategies aim to relieve pressure on natural ecosystems while promoting carbon removal and long-term sustainability. Agroforestry systems will generate benefits from several sources, including crop yields, timber, firewood, carbon, and watershed protection. Woodlots for both timber and firewood will reduce the distances rural women must walk to collect firewood.
Limnology of L. Victoria The Integrated Water Quality/Limnology Study for Lake Victoria is a consultancy contract between the Lake Victoria Environment Management Project (LVEMP) and COWI Consulting Engineers and Planners AS, in association with DHI Water and Environment. The contract was signed on 23 June 2000 in Nairobi, and is financed by credits from the International Development Association (IDA) and grants from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the three countries, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Synthesis Report of LVEMP Lake Victoria is an international waterbody that offers the riparian communities a large number of extremely important environmental services. Over the past four decades or so, the lake has come under increasing and considerable pressure from a variety of interlinked human activities such as overfishing, species introductions, industrial pollution, eutrophication, and sedimentation. The lake provides various resources to its riparian
As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Uganda faces challenges such as poverty and infrastructure gaps, but it has made significant progress in education, health, and economic reforms. Despite its negligible contribution to global emissions (0.099 percent), Uganda is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ranked 13th in vulnerability and 160th in readiness, the country faces increasingly frequent and severe weather events such as floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. These extreme events are causing landslides, water shortages, and crop failures and other impacts, which threaten Uganda’s socio-economic progress. Following a request by the state minister for Environment in 2018, Uganda officially joined the Least Developed Countries initiative on Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) initiative in November 2020. A task force was established to draft a concept note on how LIFE AR would be implemented in Uganda. The concept note recommended the Devolved Climate Finance (DCF) mechanism as the preferred approach to deliver climate finance for local adaptation and resilience building. This mechanism aligns with Uganda’s devolved governance system, integrates climate change into local planning, and supports the country’s National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Development Plan. The initiative aims to build Uganda’s climate resilience by supporting community-driven climate action, with at least 70% of funding directed toward local priorities. LIFE AR in Uganda will strengthen in-country capabilities, systems and institutions for climate action, ensuring that there’s sustained funding for climate action and that at least 70% of this funding supports community priorities. The LIFE-AR program in Uganda has made significant strides, achieving key milestones in its Test & Evolve phase. Following the establishment phase, the program is being piloted in 12 districts across the countries with four districts of Kalungu, Kibaale, Pader Kaabong into the investment phase. Moving forward District-Wide Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) completed in all districts District and sub-county technical awareness meetings conducted PCCC election and training process completed Proposal development and investment selection for the first four districts completed Investment implementation in progress for the first four districts. Date joined: November 2020 Current phase: Test & Evolve Number of districts/sub-districts selected: 12 Pilot Districts Name of organisation responsible: Ministry of Water and Environment Name and function of focal point: Scovia Akot (National Focal Point) - Coordination of the Programme; Harriet Kyomuhendo (Alternate Focal Point) Follow us on social media X @LIFEARug
The EU-TF (SPRS-NU) Support Programme to the Refugee Settlements and Host Commun...
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone...
Limnology of L. Victoria The Integrated Water Quality/Limnology Study for Lake V...
The Ministry of Water and Environment is committed to avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating adverse environmental and social impacts associated with its projects, as well as adopting a gender-sensitive and gender-equitable approach for all its projects.
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