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 through its Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department has officially handed over a modern sanitation facility to the ad...
Kaabong/Karenga - The Ministry of Water and Environment through the Department of Forestry Managemen...
ENTEBBE, Uganda - piece of timber may look like ordinary wood, but inside its cells lies evidence th...
The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), through the Regional Centre – South West, in partnershi...
August 8, 2024 – Kabarole District: The Ministry of Water and Environment has officially launched an ambitious watershed management and nature-based conservation project aimed at safeguarding the Mpanga catchment area, which spans approximately 5,200 km² across the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, Kazo, Ibanda, Mbarara, and Kiruhura. This project is set to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental challenges, including wetland encroachment, river bank degradation, and pollution, as identified in the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan (CMP) completed in 2015. The CMP has been actively implemented by both government and non-government actors under the leadership of the Directorate of Water Resources Management through the Albert Water Management Zone (AWMZ) since 2015. With a fresh injection of funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Ministry is poised to intensify efforts in watershed management and nature-based water conservation activities within the Mpanga catchment. The project launch, held in Fort Portal Tourism City, Kabarole District, was graced by the Director Water Resources Management, Dr Callist who represented the Minister of Water and Environment and who delivered an inspiring speech. “It is my honor and privilege to be with you today at the launch of this transformative initiative, made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,” the Minister began. “This project marks a significant milestone for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship in the Mpanga Catchment.” Project Goals and Objectives The primary goal of this project is to bolster the implementation of the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan by enhancing the capacity of the AWMZ and Catchment Management Organizations (CMOs). Specific objectives include: Building the capacity of catchment management organizations to improve institutional processes, planning, and management through targeted training programs. Strengthening the AWMZ staff’s ability to coordinate activities through enhanced skills in work planning, monitoring, and conducting technical tests to ensure effective implementation. Supporting the restoration and implementation of priority conservation measures within the catchment. Positioning the AWMZ as a model for catchment-based water resources management by promoting institutional cooperation and disseminating success stories from the Mpanga catchment. Project Timeline and Funding The project is slated to run for three years, from June 2024 to June 2027, with a total budget of 1.395 million USD, generously provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The Ministry of Water and Environment will lead the project, collaborating closely with key partners such as Water for People and Join for Water, along with additional consultancy firms to be procured by the Ministry. Anticipated Benefits The project is expected to yield significant environmental and institutional benefits, including: Restoration of degraded landscapes through afforestation on both private and public lands. Restoration and demarcation of wetland systems and their buffer zones. Establishment of soil and water conservation structures. Installation of a mini weather station within the Mpanga catchment. Construction of a hydro-monitoring station at the Mpanga catchment outlet. Capacity building for the Mpanga Catchment Management Organization (CMO) to enhance its operational effectiveness. The Minister highlighted the project’s focus on scaling up these efforts: “Today, we embark on a journey to scale up the implementation of remedial catchment management measures in the Mpanga Catchment to safeguard our precious water and environmental resources for generations. This project will focus on data collection, wetland restoration, re-afforestation, and capacity development of the Catchment Management Organization.” As the project officially gets underway, it marks a significant step forward in the sustainable management of the Mpanga catchment, ensuring the protection and conservation of vital water resources for the communities and ecosystems that depend on them. The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to the partners involved: “I appreciate the Water For People team working tirelessly with the Ministry staff in drafting the project proposal. I also acknowledge Join For Water for their support in the preparatory meetings.” The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including district chairpersons, resident district commissioners, chief administrative officers, representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, religious institutions, and the media. This ambitious project underscores the Ministry of Water and Environment’s commitment to sustainable environmental management and its role in contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.
The five-year project aims to restore degraded sections of ten wetland systems and maintain their integrity for improved water availability, flood abatement, biodiversity flows and climate amelioration measured in area of wetland restored and maintained in hectares by the DLGs, Regional Technical Support Units (RTSUs) and MoWE. The key interventions under the project include; demarcating 2500km of wetlands through planting of pillars and gazettement, restoring 31,000ha of wetland hydro-ecological and socio-economic services, developing 40 management plans for the restored wetlands, promoting 1160 wetland-based enterprises for improved community livelihoods, elevating the status of 5 selected wetlands by designating them as reserves and Ramsar Sites, strengthening 237 wetland technical and institutional capacity at National, District and Community levels and enhancing public and stakeholder awareness for 600,000hhs for effective participation. The project is being implemented in the following target areas: Lumbuye, Kibimba, Awoja, Ssezibwa, Mayanja, Tochi, Enyau, Aswa, Muzizi and Mpanga wetland systems.
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) has been developed to guide all stakeholders – including contractors, consultants, local government officials, and project beneficiaries - on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies that may arise during the construction and operational phases of the Multi-Purpose Water for Climate Resilience and Irrigation Development for Livelihood Transformation (MWACRID) Project. The project is being implemented in the sub-counties of Masindi-Port and Kigumba in Kiryandongo District, as well as Mirya and Kimengo in Masindi District, Uganda. This plan reinforces the project’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and compliance with the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) environmental and social safeguard policies. This plan ensures consistent procedures are in place across all project components to minimize risk to human health, the environment, infrastructure, and financial investment. The project will consist of two major components: a potable water supply infrastructure and an irrigation water supply system. Key features include diversion canals, intake and pump stations, treatment plants, transmission and distribution pipelines, and various support facilities such as process buildings, control rooms, electrical and maintenance buildings, administrative offices, and reservoir tanks. Each component is designed to enhance water access for both domestic use and irrigation purposes. A detailed description of these components is provided in appendix 1. 1.1. Purpose of the Plan The purpose of this plan is to provide measures and guidance for the establishment and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plan for the Multi-Purpose Water for Climate Resilience and Irrigation Development for Livelihood Transformation (MWACRID) Project. The purpose of the EPRP is to: Provide a plan, which facilitates public safety by notifying all appropriate authorities and stakeholders; Provide information to all stakeholders to allow for an informed evaluation to be made during emergency events; Provide a plan of action for foreseeable flood emergencies affecting safety of the MWACRID Project and local communities; Ensure all personnel and visitors are given the maximum protection from unforeseen events; Ensure all personnel are aware of the importance of this plan to support the protection of life and property. The plan is intended to assist the Contractor, Employer, the local community and any other stakeholders in responding swiftly and effectively in the event of an emergency at the MWACRID Project. This plan is primarily biased to emergency preparedness and response to MWACRID –Project water reservoirs and bulk water transmission lines and associated risks directly linked to the proposed bulk water supply infrastructure. It is important to note that other common emergencies or risks associated with the MWACRID-P associate project’s such as marram borrow areas, water abstraction point, rock blasting for rocky areas and a host of other policies, procedures and plans that the Contractor has developed with respect to MWACRID -P. Therefore; this Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan in a bid avoid duplication of other plans and procedures already prepared by the contractor will prioritize and discuss bulk water transmission lines and water reservoir(s) for MWACRID P, an aspect which is not exhaustively addressed in the other MWACRID P plans, procedures and policies.
Multinational Lakes Edward and Albert Integrated Fisheries and Water Resources Management (LEAF II) Project. The Multinational Lakes Edward and Albert Integrated Fisheries and Water Resources Management Project (LEAF II) is a crucial trans-boundary initiative jointly implemented by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Coordinated under the framework of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), this project is dedicated to ensuring the sustainable management of the shared fisheries and water resources of Lakes Edward and Albert and their surrounding basins. Recognizing the immense ecological and socio-economic importance of these lakes, LEAF II employs an integrated approach to address challenges such as over-exploitation, environmental degradation, and climate change impacts, ultimately aiming to enhance fish productivity and improve the livelihoods of riparian communities. Overall Project Objective: “is to sustainably increase the lakes’ fish productivity by promoting good fish capture and management practice, restoration of the lakes catchments and improvement of water quality on the shared lakes’ water resources”. Project Components Fisheries Resources Development and Management Integrated Water Resources Management Project Management and Coordination COMPONENT 1: FISHERIES RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT Component aims to promote sustainable management and productivity of the various species of fish in the two Lakes for the common benefit of the two countries. This component has four sub-components namely: Updating and harmonization of policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks, Development of a fisheries management information system, Bilateral monitoring, control and surveillance, and Local communities adopt responsible fishing practices and modern processing techniques. COMPONENT 2: INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Component consists of 5 closely related sub components: Coordination capacities of NELSAP, Uganda and DRC strengthened and formalized, Integrated Lake Management Plans (ILMP) updated and adopted by Uganda and DRC, Establishment of a Basin Management Authority/ Organization for LEAB, Water resources quantity and quality monitoring strengthened, and Community-based integrated CMPs prepared and implemented in selected watersheds. COMPONENT 3: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION The component is to provide resources necessary for the effective implementation, coordination, communication, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities. This component has two sub-components namely: Project Management, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
Learn More
August 8, 2024 – Kabarole District: The Ministry of Water and Environment has officially launched an ambitious watershed management and nature-based conservation project aimed at safeguarding the Mpanga catchment area, which spans approximately 5,200 km² across the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, Kazo, Ibanda, Mbarara, and Kiruhura. This project is set to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental challenges, including wetland encroachment, river bank degradation, and pollution, as identified in the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan (CMP) completed in 2015. The CMP has been actively implemented by both government and non-government actors under the leadership of the Directorate of Water Resources Management through the Albert Water Management Zone (AWMZ) since 2015. With a fresh injection of funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Ministry is poised to intensify efforts in watershed management and nature-based water conservation activities within the Mpanga catchment. The project launch, held in Fort Portal Tourism City, Kabarole District, was graced by the Director Water Resources Management, Dr Callist who represented the Minister of Water and Environment and who delivered an inspiring speech. “It is my honor and privilege to be with you today at the launch of this transformative initiative, made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,” the Minister began. “This project marks a significant milestone for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship in the Mpanga Catchment.” Project Goals and Objectives The primary goal of this project is to bolster the implementation of the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan by enhancing the capacity of the AWMZ and Catchment Management Organizations (CMOs). Specific objectives include: Building the capacity of catchment management organizations to improve institutional processes, planning, and management through targeted training programs. Strengthening the AWMZ staff’s ability to coordinate activities through enhanced skills in work planning, monitoring, and conducting technical tests to ensure effective implementation. Supporting the restoration and implementation of priority conservation measures within the catchment. Positioning the AWMZ as a model for catchment-based water resources management by promoting institutional cooperation and disseminating success stories from the Mpanga catchment. Project Timeline and Funding The project is slated to run for three years, from June 2024 to June 2027, with a total budget of 1.395 million USD, generously provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The Ministry of Water and Environment will lead the project, collaborating closely with key partners such as Water for People and Join for Water, along with additional consultancy firms to be procured by the Ministry. Anticipated Benefits The project is expected to yield significant environmental and institutional benefits, including: Restoration of degraded landscapes through afforestation on both private and public lands. Restoration and demarcation of wetland systems and their buffer zones. Establishment of soil and water conservation structures. Installation of a mini weather station within the Mpanga catchment. Construction of a hydro-monitoring station at the Mpanga catchment outlet. Capacity building for the Mpanga Catchment Management Organization (CMO) to enhance its operational effectiveness. The Minister highlighted the project’s focus on scaling up these efforts: “Today, we embark on a journey to scale up the implementation of remedial catchment management measures in the Mpanga Catchment to safeguard our precious water and environmental resources for generations. This project will focus on data collection, wetland restoration, re-afforestation, and capacity development of the Catchment Management Organization.” As the project officially gets underway, it marks a significant step forward in the sustainable management of the Mpanga catchment, ensuring the protection and conservation of vital water resources for the communities and ecosystems that depend on them. The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to the partners involved: “I appreciate the Water For People team working tirelessly with the Ministry staff in drafting the project proposal. I also acknowledge Join For Water for their support in the preparatory meetings.” The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including district chairpersons, resident district commissioners, chief administrative officers, representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, religious institutions, and the media. This ambitious project underscores the Ministry of Water and Environment’s commitment to sustainable environmental management and its role in contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.
The five-year project aims to restore degraded sections of ten wetland systems a...
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) has been developed to guide...
Multinational Lakes Edward and Albert Integrated Fisheries and Water Resources M...
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.
View Standards
