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
On 26th August 2026, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Regional Centre 4 - Wakiso (RWSSRC 4), together w...
Ministry of Water and Environment, Jinja District Harmonize Plans to Reopen Namavundu Central Forest...
KYANKWANZI, UGANDA - In a major boost to safe water coverage and agricultural resilience in central...
Local government leaders from five districts along the River Nile have pledged total support for a m...
European Green Deal – focused and strategic action to international response to forest on environmental issues. MoU for a Forest Partnership was signed on 8th November 2022 at COP27 (ASham el Sheikh). This was to ensure that Uganda’s forests continue to meet their social, economic and environmental benefits. The overall aim is to enhance the role of Ugandan forests in sustainable and inclusive national development, and address challenges related to deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Specifically contributing to; Increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests Increasing the number of forest related decent jobs Reducing of the annual rate of deforestation of natural forests Looking for ways to facilitate trade
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.
Project: Mobilization and Institutional Facilitation of Sanitation (UN-Habitat) Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation program (LVWATSAN) was first launched in 2004 by the Ministers responsible for water within the East Africa Community (EAC) with the aim of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water and sanitation in the ‘secondary urban centres’ within the Lake Victoria Basin; ensuring the long term sustainability of the physical investments; addressing the current threats to the lake’s ecosystems from inadequate water and sanitation provision in the secondary and larger settlements around the Lake. LVWATSAN was designed by UN-HABITAT at the request of the Ministers of Water of the EAC for an integrated package of interventions, including water supply and sanitation improvements, solid waste management, and drainage improvements in key areas, as well as capacity building and training for the utilities and town planners. The Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) Initiative is a pivotal multi-phase program dedicated to addressing the critical challenges of water supply, sanitation, and environmental management in urban centers situated within the Lake Victoria Basin. As a key East African Community (EAC) initiative, LVWATSAN is coordinated by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and implemented by the respective EAC Partner States, including Uganda. The program aims to reverse the growing pollution of Lake Victoria, improve public health, and enhance the living standards of millions of residents by providing sustainable access to clean water and adequate sanitation infrastructure. Key Objectives of the Initiative: LVWATSAN pursues comprehensive objectives to achieve a healthier and more sustainable Lake Victoria Basin: Improve Sustainable Water Supply Infrastructure: To significantly expand and rehabilitate water supply systems in targeted urban centers, ensuring reliable access to safe and clean drinking water for growing populations. Enhance Sanitation and Wastewater Management: To drastically improve sanitation facilities, including sewerage systems, faecal sludge management, and public toilets, thereby reducing the discharge of untreated wastewater into the lake and its tributaries. Strengthen Solid Waste and Storm Water Management: To implement integrated solutions for managing solid waste and improving urban drainage, preventing pollution and improving the urban environment. Build Institutional and Human Resource Capacities: To strengthen the technical and operational capacities of local authorities, water utilities (like NWSC), and communities for the sustainable management of water and sanitation services. Contribute to Environmental Protection: To reduce the negative environmental impact of urbanization on the Lake Victoria Basin, safeguarding its fragile ecosystem and biodiversity. Support Pro-Poor Investments: To ensure that water and sanitation improvements specifically benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including residents of informal settlements and low-income areas. Phases and Key Achievements: The LVWATSAN Initiative has progressed through several impactful phases: LVWATSAN Phase I (Supported by UN-HABITAT and Dutch Grants): This initial phase targeted 10 secondary urban centers across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In Uganda, towns included: Nyendo/Ssenyange, Bugemebe, and Kyotera. UN-HABITAT, through its Lake Victoria Region City Development Strategies Programme, also prioritized major cities like Kampala (Uganda), Kisumu (Kenya), and Mwanza (Tanzania) for improvements in sanitation, waste management, and access to safe drinking water. LVWATSAN Phase II (Supported by African Development Bank and African Water Facility): Following Ministerial endorsements in 2008 and 2009, this phase scaled up the initiative to include 15 additional secondary towns across five EAC Partner States. In Uganda, the targeted towns included: Mayuge, Buwama-Kayabwe-Bukakata (cluster), and Ntungamo. Significant infrastructure development occurred, with commissionings of facilities such as the Ntungamo Water Supply and Sanitation System and the Mayuge Water Supply System in 2016. The project also focused on construction of public and institutional toilets and integrated water supply systems in these towns. Key achievements include the drilling of numerous boreholes, rehabilitation/construction of water treatment plants, and the establishment of public water fountains and public toilets across the EAC Partner States. Kampala Water – Lake Victoria WATSAN (KW-LVWATSAN): This specific sub-project focused on addressing the pressing water supply and sanitation challenges within Kampala, implemented primarily by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) with significant funding from development partners like AFD, EIB, KfW, and the EU. It involved extensive upgrades and rehabilitation of existing water treatment, transmission, and distribution systems, including extending services to informal settlements and improving public sanitation facilities. An operational audit covering 2014-2022 was conducted to assess its impact. Towards LVWATSAN Phase III: The initiative continues to evolve, with planning and preparatory work for potential subsequent phases, including “LV WATSAN Phase III,” indicating a sustained commitment to meeting the growing water and sanitation needs of the Lake Victoria Basin in the face of climate change and urbanization. Project Scope and Impact: The LVWATSAN Initiative’s multifaceted approach has led to substantial improvements in urban water supply and sanitation coverage across the Lake Victoria Basin. By focusing on both “hardware” (infrastructure) and “software” (capacity building, hygiene promotion) interventions, the program has directly contributed to: Enhanced Public Health: Reducing the burden of waterborne diseases and improving overall hygiene standards. Environmental Protection: Minimizing pollution loads entering Lake Victoria, contributing to the health of the lake’s ecosystem. Socio-Economic Development: Freeing up community time for productive activities, fostering local economic opportunities, and enhancing the liveability of urban centers. Regional Integration: Strengthening collaboration and shared responsibility among EAC Partner States for managing a critical trans-boundary resource. The ongoing efforts under the LVWATSAN Initiative underscore the Ministry of Water and Environment’s dedication to providing sustainable water and sanitation services and protecting Uganda’s vital natural resources.
GCF-Wetlands The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a pivotal financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dedicated to supporting developing countries in their efforts to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In Uganda, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) is an accredited entity and plays a central role in accessing and managing GCF resources to implement transformative climate action. GCF projects in Uganda are designed to build resilience in communities and ecosystems, promote sustainable land and water management, and foster low-carbon development pathways. These initiatives are crucial for Uganda to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and sustainable development goals. Key Objectives of GCF Projects in Uganda: GCF projects in Uganda typically focus on a range of strategic objectives aimed at addressing critical climate vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable development: Building Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Communities: To enhance the adaptive capacity of communities, particularly those dependent on natural resources, to cope with climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. Expected Activities: Restoring degraded wetlands and associated catchments; promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods; developing and strengthening early warning systems for climate-related disasters. Enhancing Ecosystem Health and Services: To restore and conserve vital ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, which provide essential services for climate regulation, water security, and biodiversity. Expected Activities: Large-scale wetland restoration and rehabilitation; sustainable land management practices in catchment areas; promoting reforestation and afforestation initiatives. Promoting Climate-Resilient Water Security: To ensure sustainable access to water resources for communities, agriculture, and livestock, especially in drought-prone regions. Expected Activities: Development and rehabilitation of climate-resilient water infrastructure (e.g., solar-powered boreholes, earth dams); promotion of rainwater harvesting technologies; integrated water resource management. Fostering Low-Carbon Development: To support transitions towards a low-emission economy by promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Expected Activities: Facilitating access to renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar energy for households and communities); supporting sustainable land use practices that reduce emissions. Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Climate Information Systems: To enhance the capacity of national and local institutions to effectively plan, implement, and monitor climate change interventions, and to improve the availability and use of climate information. Expected Activities: Providing technical training and resources to government agencies and local communities; strengthening climate data collection, analysis, and dissemination; integrating climate considerations into national and sub-national development planning. Project Scope Description: GCF projects in Uganda typically involve significant financial grants and technical assistance to support the implementation of large-scale, multi-sectoral interventions. The scope often encompasses: Grant Financing: Direct financial support for project activities, leveraging co-financing from the Government of Uganda and other development partners. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: Provision of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of implementing partners and beneficiaries. Community Engagement and Livelihood Support: Direct engagement with vulnerable communities to identify their needs, build their adaptive capacity, and provide alternative sustainable livelihoods. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Robust systems for tracking project progress, measuring impacts, and generating lessons learned to inform future climate action. Policy and Regulatory Support: Contributions to the development and implementation of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks that enable effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. GCF projects, such as the “Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda” project, exemplify Uganda’s commitment to tackling climate change through integrated and community-centric approaches, ultimately aiming for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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European Green Deal – focused and strategic action to international response to forest on environmental issues. MoU for a Forest Partnership was signed on 8th November 2022 at COP27 (ASham el Sheikh). This was to ensure that Uganda’s forests continue to meet their social, economic and environmental benefits. The overall aim is to enhance the role of Ugandan forests in sustainable and inclusive national development, and address challenges related to deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Specifically contributing to; Increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests Increasing the number of forest related decent jobs Reducing of the annual rate of deforestation of natural forests Looking for ways to facilitate trade
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone...
Project: Mobilization and Institutional Facilitation of Sanitation (UN-Habitat)...
GCF-Wetlands The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a pivotal financial mechanism under...
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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