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
ENTEBBE, Uganda - piece of timber may look like ordinary wood, but inside its cells lies evidence that can help establish what species it belongs to and whether...
The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), through the Regional Centre – South West, in partnershi...
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...
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.
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
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INTEGRATED FLOOD AND DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (IFDMP) The Integrated Flood and Drought Management Program (IFDMP) is a Government of Uganda initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), through the Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM), in collaboration with other relevant Ministries, Agencies, Local Governments and Development Partners. Uganda is increasingly experiencing the adverse impacts of climate variability and change, including recurrent riverine and urban flooding, prolonged droughts and water scarcity, as well as rainfall-induced landslides. These hazards continue to affect lives and livelihoods, agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, settlements and ecosystems. Floods, droughts and landslides are closely interconnected through catchment processes and therefore require an integrated approach combining improved risk information, engineering measures, nature-based solutions, early warning, preparedness and strengthened institutional capacity. The Program encompasses Uganda's major river basins, catchments, urban centres and rural areas affected by or vulnerable to floods, droughts, landslides and associated climate-related hazards. The program will advance a proactive, science-based and integrated approach to managing Uganda's growing hydro-climatic risks, shifting from emergency response towards prevention, preparedness, resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration and long-term water security. Project Goal The overall goal of IFDMP is to strengthen the resilience of communities, ecosystems, infrastructure and institutions to the increasing adverse impacts of floods, droughts and landslides through integrated water resources management, climate-resilient investments and strengthened hydrological information services. Key Areas of Intervention Hydrological forecasting and early warning: Development of a National Hydrological Modelling and Forecasting System and Centre to improve monitoring, forecasting, early warning and dissemination of actionable information. Flood and landslide risk management: Flood-risk assessments and mapping, river training, drainage improvement, flood-protection infrastructure, catchment restoration, nature-based solutions and community preparedness. Drought resilience and water security: Climate-resilient water storage, groundwater management, managed aquifer recharge, water-for-production interventions, drought forecasting and climate-smart water conservation. Catchment and ecosystem restoration: Rehabilitation of degraded riverbanks, wetlands, floodplains and catchments to improve natural flood attenuation, groundwater recharge and long-term water security. Institutional and community resilience: Strengthening the capacity of national and local institutions and communities for preparedness, anticipatory action, operation, maintenance and sustainable flood and drought risk management. Expected Results This program is expected to reduce the vulnerability of communities, infrastructure and ecosystems to floods, droughts and landslides while strengthening national hydrological monitoring, forecasting and early warning. This will reduce disaster-related economic losses, disruption of livelihoods, improve water security and promote climate change resilience.
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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.
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.
European Green Deal – focused and strategic action to international response to...
INTEGRATED FLOOD AND DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (IFDMP) The Integrated Flood and...
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone...
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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