Frequently Asked Questions

The Mandate of the Water and Environment Sector Liaison Department (WESLD) is to provide centralized strategic and integrated coordination across the Ministry, its semi-autonomous agencies, and development partners, to ensure a harmonized approach to sector growth. WESLD is responsible for spearheading strategic investment planning, establishing the performance measurement framework, and maintaining the national water atlas and Management Information System. By driving evidence-based decision-making and mainstreaming gender, HIV/AIDS, social and environmental safeguards, the department ensures the transparent, inclusive, and sustainable management of Uganda’s water and environment resources.

·      Integrated Projects and Programme Coordination: Coordination of water and sanitation projects and programmes that span Ministry of Water and Environment departments, deconcentrated structures, and sector semi-autonomous agencies (NWSC, NEMA, and NFA).

·      Strategic Resource Mobilization: Lead resource mobilization for the Ministry through formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Sector Resource Mobilization Strategy.

·      Sector Strategic Investment Planning: Spearhead the formulation and periodic update of the Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SSIP) to provide a coordinated roadmap for prioritizing capital investments across the water and environment sector.

·      Performance Measurement and Evaluation: Develop a robust Sector Performance Measurement Framework to establish standardized indicators, track progress against national and international targets, to enhance accountability across all sector players.

·      Digital Infrastructure Mapping: Develop and maintain an up-to-date national atlas of all water supply infrastructure, including piped and point-water sources, and sanitation facilities—across the country.

·      Data Systems Management: Maintain a functional 24/7 Management Information System (MIS) with robust protocols for the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and dissemination of data on all water sources nationwide.

·      Technical Support: Provide technical assistance to District Local Governments and Urban Councils in Geographical Information System (GIS) utilization, and data analysis to ensure seamless integration into the central MIS.

·      Institutional Strengthening: Deliver capacity building and infrastructure development support at the central, regional and local government levels, specifically targeting data management and mapping capabilities.

·      Stakeholder and Partner Liaison: Coordinate support from Sector Development Partners and provide capacity development to over 150 Water Sector NGOs through their umbrella organization –Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET).

·      Social and Environmental Safeguards: Implement and support cross-cutting “software” activities, including gender and HIV/AIDs mainstreaming, community management, and environmental and social safeguards.

·      Policy Governance: Actively participate in the formulation and periodic review of policies for the Water and Environment Sector.

Stakeholders can reach the department through official ministry communication channels — via the Ministry’s headquarters, designated regional liaison officers, or through online portals such as ministry website and WEMIS(wemis.mwe.go.ug) for reporting and information exchange.

• Inconsistent data submission from districts.

• Limited ICT and internet infrastructure.

• Delayed communication across administrative levels.

• Inadequate funding for departmental activities.

• Overlaps on mandates among sector actors.

It acts as the primary contact point for donor coordination, ensuring that all partner-funded projects align with national priorities. The department organizes partner coordination meetings and facilitates joint planning to avoid duplication of efforts.

The Water and Environment Sector Liaison Department provides centralized coordination, strategic resource mobilization, and integrated data management for the Water and Environment Sector. It also harmonizes and synchronizes cross-cutting projects and programmes that span the internal departments and deconcentrated structures of the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), as well as its various semi-autonomous agencies. Furthermore, WESLD develops and maintains a 24/7 Management Information System and a comprehensive national atlas of water and sanitation facilities, while ensuring gender-responsive management, and the socially-inclusive utilization of Uganda’s water and environment resources.

It provides technical guidance, and facilitates capacity-building initiatives in mapping, data management, GIS utilization. It monitors and coordinates the implementation of environment and social safeguards and ensures that districts adhere to national reporting and monitoring frameworks. The department also helps districts communicate challenges and coordinate with central government agencies for support.

• Coordinates water and sanitation projects and programmes that span Ministry of Water and Environment departments, deconcentrated structures, and sector semi-autonomous agencies (NWSC, NEMA, and NFA).

• Leads resource mobilization for the Ministry through formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Sector Resource Mobilization Strategy.

• Spearheads the formulation and periodic update of the Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SSIP) to provide a coordinated roadmap for prioritizing capital investments across the water and environment sector.

• Develops a robust Sector Performance Measurement Framework to establish standardized indicators, track progress against national and international targets, to enhance accountability across all sector players.

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date national atlas of all water supply infrastructure, including piped and point-water sources, and sanitation facilities—across the country.

• Maintains a functional 24/7 Management Information System (MIS) with robust protocols for the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and dissemination of data on all water sources nationwide.

• Provides technical assistance to District Local Governments and Urban Councils in Geographical Information System (GIS) utilization, and data analysis to ensure seamless integration into the central MIS.

• Delivers capacity building and infrastructure development support at the central, regional and local government levels, specifically targeting data management and mapping capabilities.

• Coordinates support from Sector Development Partners and provide capacity development to over 150 Water Sector NGOs through their umbrella organization –Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET).

• Implements and supports cross-cutting “software” activities, including gender and HIV/AIDs mainstreaming, community management, and environmental and social safeguards.

• Actively participates in the formulation and periodic review of policies for the Water and Environment Sector.

Multi-stakeholder forums that bring together government entities, civil society, and development partners to harmonize priorities and share progress updates.

Water Atlas, Databases and Information Systems including Water and Environment Management Information System which shares data to support the implementation of cross cutting issues and identify gaps in the Ministry performance indicators for action.  The other tools it uses are the Sector Strategic Investment Plan, Sector Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) to ensure harmonized approach to sector growth initiatives. These systems enhance transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

It ensures formulation of the Sector Performance Measurement Framework, water atlas and facilitates open data access through the 24/7 management information system, and encourages public participation in planning and monitoring of water and environment services. The department also supports anti-corruption and compliance initiatives

Stakeholders can reach the department through the Ministry of Water and Environment headquarters or regional offices.
Contact details:

• Ministry of Water and Environment

• Website: mwe.go.ug

·         Office Location: Head quarter in Luzira, Kampala