Strategic planning support for the environmental sector in Uganda

Ashleigh Maritz, Senior Environmental Scientist

 

Uganda has enjoyed an exponential socio-economic transformation over the past two decades due to political stability and support from developing partners and the Ugandan people. Rapid economic growth has, however, had a negative impact on the environment to such an extent that environmental degradation has resulted in a recent decline of this economic growth. The environmental degradation and pollution can be attributed to inadequate environmental governance. 

 

While Uganda does have strong environmental institutions in place, as well as good policies, plans and environmental legislation, a lack of funding and resources (including staff) to implement these policies and laws has compromised environmental governance. Therefore, more comprehensive interventions with long-term objectives are required which will guide coordination of the efforts in the environmental sector. To assist in meeting this requirement, SRK and a local Ugandan partner were appointed by the United Nations Development Programme in 2018 to compile a strategic environmental plan for the Ugandan government to guide environment and natural resource management for the next ten years. 

 

The design of the strategic environmental plan was informed by extensive consultation with key stakeholders including government institutions at national and regional level, civil society organisations and development agencies. Once approved, this plan will be implemented by structures within the Ministry of Water and Environment. 

 

The strategic environmental plan sets out strategic objectives based on a comprehensive analysis of the current governance structure for environment and natural resources management in Uganda. It also highlights areas of institutional weakness that require strengthening as well as opportunities for synergistic partnership. The plan identifies key strategic areas where development partners can assist the government in implementing identified management priorities. The implementation of the plan will help guide the identified government priorities for environment and natural resource management so that these can be adequately resourced and monitored. 

 

Ashleigh Maritz: amaritz@srk.co.za