Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 29, 2026

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), Republic of Uganda, is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (www.mwe.go.ug) and interact with our services.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the website.

We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Submit inquiries or feedback through our contact forms
• Register for events, workshops, or training programs
• Subscribe to our newsletters or publications
• Request information or services from the Ministry
• Participate in surveys or public consultations
• Submit applications for permits, licenses, or approvals

The personal information we may collect includes:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Professional or organizational affiliation
• Identification documents (when required for specific services)
• Any other information you choose to provide

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns:

• IP address and geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or source
• Date and time of access

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and understand user preferences. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To process your requests, applications, and inquiries
• Communication: To respond to your questions and provide information about our programs and services
• Event Management: To register and manage participants for workshops, training, and public consultations
• Publications: To send newsletters, policy updates, and important announcements (with your consent)
• Website Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve website functionality and user experience
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies
• Public Interest: To fulfill our mandate of water resources management, environmental protection, and meteorological services
• Research and Planning: To conduct research, develop policies, and plan programs (using anonymized data)

3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We process your personal information on the following legal bases:

• Public Authority: Processing necessary for the performance of our official functions and public mandate
• Consent: Where you have given explicit consent for specific purposes
• Legal Obligation: Where processing is necessary to comply with legal requirements
• Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for legitimate governmental purposes

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

The Ministry of Water and Environment does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Government Entities

We may share information with other government ministries, departments, and agencies when necessary to:

• Fulfill inter-governmental coordination and service delivery
• Comply with legal requirements or lawful requests
• Support joint programs and initiatives

4.2 Service Providers

We may engage third-party service providers to assist with:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Email communication services
• Data analytics
• Event management

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it for the purposes for which it was disclosed.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or legal process, or when necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Ministry, the public, or others.

4.4 Public Information

Information submitted as part of public consultations, stakeholder engagement, or official proceedings may become part of the public record in accordance with Uganda's access to information laws.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure server infrastructure and encryption protocols
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Staff training on data protection and privacy
• Data backup and recovery procedures

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but remain committed to protecting your information to the best of our ability.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected. Government records are retained in accordance with Uganda's Public Records and Archives Act and related regulations.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable laws, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Right to Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 12 below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with applicable laws.

Please note that certain rights may be limited by legal obligations, public interest, or the exercise of official authority vested in the Ministry.

8. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

Educational programs and materials designed for school-age children are developed in collaboration with educational institutions and comply with child protection standards.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of Uganda, particularly when using third-party service providers for website hosting and email services.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

10. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including those of partner organizations, government agencies, and external resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Effective Date"
• Providing notice on our homepage or other prominent location on the website
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes affecting your rights)

Your continued use of the website after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with Uganda's Personal Data Protection Office if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

13. Legal Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with:

• The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda
• Uganda's Data Protection and Privacy Act (when enacted)
• Access to Information Act, 2005
• Computer Misuse Act, 2011
• Electronic Transactions Act, 2011
• Other applicable laws and regulations of Uganda