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 (MWE), through the Regional Centre – South West, in partnership with key stakeholders, successfully held the 5th Edition o...
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...
On 26th August 2026, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Rural Water Supply and...
LGFSs The Ministry of Water and Environment is actively implementing and expanding its program for Large Gravity Flow Schemes across Uganda. This strategic approach to water supply development leverages Uganda’s natural topography, particularly in hilly and mountainous regions, to deliver safe, clean, and reliable piped water to communities without the need for energy-intensive pumping. By harnessing the natural force of gravity, these schemes offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for increasing water access, improving public health, and reducing the burden of water collection, particularly for women and children in rural and peri-urban areas. Key Objectives of the Program: The Large Gravity Flow Schemes program aims to achieve several critical objectives: Increase Access to Safe Piped Water: To significantly expand the percentage of the population with sustainable access to safe and readily available piped water, especially in geographically challenging terrains where conventional motorized systems might be impractical or costly. Ensure Reliable and Sustainable Water Supply: To provide communities with a continuous and dependable flow of water throughout the year, utilizing perennial high-altitude water sources. Optimize Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability: To reduce the operational and maintenance costs associated with water supply by minimizing or eliminating the need for pumps, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the schemes. Improve Health, Sanitation, and Hygiene: To contribute directly to better health outcomes by providing clean water for drinking, cooking, and domestic hygiene, reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases. Reduce Distances to Water Sources: To bring water closer to households, schools, and health centers, saving communities significant time and effort previously spent on fetching water from distant or unsafe sources. Promote Environmental Protection: To ensure the protection and sustainable management of the water sources and their catchment areas, safeguarding the quantity and quality of water for future generations. Project Scope and Typical Activities: The implementation of Large Gravity Flow Schemes involves a comprehensive set of activities: Feasibility Studies and Source Identification: Thorough technical and social assessments to identify perennial springs, rivers, or other suitable water sources at higher elevations. Intake Structure Construction: Building robust intake structures at the water source to abstract water efficiently while protecting its quality. Transmission Pipeline Laying: Installation of extensive main pipelines, often spanning many kilometers, to convey water from the intake to storage reservoirs, utilizing gravity. Reservoir and Break-Pressure Tank Construction: Building strategically located reservoirs (storage tanks) and break-pressure tanks to manage water flow, maintain pressure, and ensure sufficient storage capacity. Distribution Network Development: Establishment of a network of secondary pipelines to distribute water from the reservoirs to various communities. Public Water Point (Standpipe) and Household Connections: Installation of public standpipes in accessible locations and facilitating private household connections where feasible. Water Source Protection: Implementing measures such as fencing, tree planting, and community sensitization to protect the integrity of the water source and its immediate catchment. Community Mobilization and Capacity Building: Engaging local communities, forming Water and Sanitation Committees (WSCs), and providing training on scheme operation, maintenance, and financial management to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Expected Impact and Benefits: The Large Gravity Flow Schemes program is expected to bring transformative benefits to beneficiary communities: Enhanced Water Coverage: A significant increase in the number of people with access to safe and reliable water, particularly in challenging terrains. Improved Public Health: A noticeable reduction in waterborne diseases due to the availability of clean water. Time and Labor Savings: Freeing up valuable time, especially for women and girls, which can be re-allocated to education, economic activities, and other productive endeavors. Economic Empowerment: Creating opportunities for small-scale agriculture and other enterprises due to reliable water access, and reducing healthcare expenditures. Environmental Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly water supply solutions with minimal energy requirements and fostering responsible water resource management. This ongoing program is a cornerstone of Uganda’s commitment to achieving national water security and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation. Bukedea GFS Revised RAP Report Bukedea District is water stressed and lies within the flood zone and hence faces a major challenge of increasing access to clean and safe water to its rapidly growing population amidst diminishing water resources both in quantity and quality. Ground water resources have proved inadequate to meet the district’s potable water demand.
SPGS III The Sawlog Production Grant Scheme Phase III (SPGS III) is a critical ongoing initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment, aimed at significantly expanding and promoting commercial tree planting across Uganda. Building upon the successes of its preceding phases, SPGS III is designed to meet the growing demand for timber and wood products, enhance sustainable forest management, mitigate climate change impacts, and provide long-term economic benefits to private individuals, communities, and large-scale investors involved in commercial forestry. This phase emphasizes sustainable practices, improved forest health, and equitable benefits within the forestry sector. Key Objectives of the Project: SPGS III is structured around several strategic objectives designed to foster a robust and sustainable commercial forestry sector in Uganda: Increased Commercial Sawlog Production: To significantly expand the area under commercial tree plantations by providing grants and technical support to private forest growers. This aims to ensure a sustainable supply of sawlogs and other wood products for both domestic and industrial use. Expected Activities: Providing financial grants for land preparation, seedling procurement, planting, and silvicultural operations; promoting improved tree species and planting techniques. Promotion of Sustainable Forest Management Practices: To encourage the adoption of environmentally sound and socially responsible forestry practices among grant beneficiaries. This includes promoting biodiversity conservation within plantations and ensuring sustainable harvesting methods. Expected Activities: Training and technical assistance on sustainable harvesting, fire management, pest and disease control; promoting agroforestry and restoration of degraded forest lands where appropriate. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: To contribute to national and global efforts in combating climate change through carbon sequestration in new and existing plantations. The project also enhances the resilience of landscapes against climate-related shocks. Expected Activities: Monitoring carbon sequestration potential of established plantations; promoting climate-resilient tree species and diversified forestry systems. Livelihood Improvement and Economic Empowerment: To create employment opportunities, enhance household incomes, and stimulate rural economic growth through investments in commercial forestry. The project targets various scales of growers, including smallholder farmers and larger commercial entities. Expected Activities: Facilitating market linkages for timber and wood products; providing business development support to forest growers; promoting value addition within the forestry value chain. Strengthened Institutional Capacity and Regulatory Framework: To enhance the capacity of relevant institutions, including the National Forestry Authority and district local governments, in supporting and regulating the commercial forestry sector. This ensures efficient project implementation and sustainable sector growth. Expected Activities: Providing training and resources for forest extension workers; strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems for forest plantations; reviewing and developing supportive forestry policies. Project Scope Description: The Sawlog Production Grant Scheme Phase III involves the provision of financial grants and technical assistance to eligible private landowners, smallholder farmers, communities, and commercial entities for establishing and maintaining commercial tree plantations. The project encompasses a broad geographical scope across various regions of Uganda suitable for commercial forestry. Key activities include: Grant Disbursement: Providing phased financial grants to growers for specified forestry activities, ensuring adherence to environmental and social safeguards. Technical Support: Offering expert advice and training on nursery management, site preparation, planting techniques, species selection, silviculture, pest and disease management, and sustainable harvesting. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring of plantation establishment and growth to ensure compliance with scheme guidelines and to track environmental and socio-economic impacts. Research and Development: Supporting adaptive research on tree genetics, silvicultural practices, and wood processing technologies to enhance productivity and value. SPGS III represents a significant commitment by the Government of Uganda to transform the forestry sector into a key driver of economic development and environmental sustainability.
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As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Uganda faces challenges such as poverty and infrastructure gaps, but it has made significant progress in education, health, and economic reforms. Despite its negligible contribution to global emissions (0.099 percent), Uganda is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ranked 13th in vulnerability and 160th in readiness, the country faces increasingly frequent and severe weather events such as floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. These extreme events are causing landslides, water shortages, and crop failures and other impacts, which threaten Uganda’s socio-economic progress. Following a request by the state minister for Environment in 2018, Uganda officially joined the Least Developed Countries initiative on Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) initiative in November 2020. A task force was established to draft a concept note on how LIFE AR would be implemented in Uganda. The concept note recommended the Devolved Climate Finance (DCF) mechanism as the preferred approach to deliver climate finance for local adaptation and resilience building. This mechanism aligns with Uganda’s devolved governance system, integrates climate change into local planning, and supports the country’s National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Development Plan. The initiative aims to build Uganda’s climate resilience by supporting community-driven climate action, with at least 70% of funding directed toward local priorities. LIFE AR in Uganda will strengthen in-country capabilities, systems and institutions for climate action, ensuring that there’s sustained funding for climate action and that at least 70% of this funding supports community priorities. The LIFE-AR program in Uganda has made significant strides, achieving key milestones in its Test & Evolve phase. Following the establishment phase, the program is being piloted in 12 districts across the countries with four districts of Kalungu, Kibaale, Pader Kaabong into the investment phase. Moving forward District-Wide Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) completed in all districts District and sub-county technical awareness meetings conducted PCCC election and training process completed Proposal development and investment selection for the first four districts completed Investment implementation in progress for the first four districts. Date joined: November 2020 Current phase: Test & Evolve Number of districts/sub-districts selected: 12 Pilot Districts Name of organisation responsible: Ministry of Water and Environment Name and function of focal point: Scovia Akot (National Focal Point) - Coordination of the Programme; Harriet Kyomuhendo (Alternate Focal Point) Follow us on social media X @LIFEARug
The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (STWSSP), managed under the Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Department, is a critical initiative aimed at addressing the growing demand for safe water and improved sanitation in Uganda’s strategic urban centers and surrounding communities. The project is a testament to Uganda’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Its focus on infrastructure development and climate resilience underscores a forward-thinking approach to sustainable urban development. Overall Goal and Specific Aims The overarching goal of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project is to improve public health and socio-economic development in targeted towns and communities by providing access to reliable, safe, and sustainably managed water supply and sanitation services. More specifically, the project aims to: Expand and rehabilitate water supply infrastructure to meet the increasing demand in strategic towns. Improve sanitation facilities and services to enhance public health and environmental protection. Construct climate-resilient piped water supply facilities to safeguard against the impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods. Increase water supply service coverage in underserved communities, including rural areas, peri-urban settlements, and refugee settlements, promoting equitable access. Strengthen the institutional capacity of water utilities and local authorities for sustainable operation and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure. Project Components The project’s strategy is designed to achieve its comprehensive objectives through various interlinked activities, primarily focusing on: Infrastructure Development and Management: This core component involves the planning, design, and construction of new water treatment plants, distribution networks, storage reservoirs, and public water points. It also includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing infrastructure to improve efficiency and reliability. Construction of Climate-Resilient Piped Water Supply Facilities: Recognizing the vulnerability of water resources to climate change, this component prioritizes the use of climate-resilient technologies and designs. This includes measures such as robust intake structures, diversified water sources, and energy-efficient pumping systems to ensure continuity of service during extreme weather events. Construction of Water Supply Infrastructure to Increase Service in Underserved Communities: This critical component addresses the disparity in access to water. It focuses on extending piped water networks to rural growth centers, informal urban settlements, and designated refugee settlements, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations have access to safe water. Sanitation Infrastructure Development: This component encompasses the construction and upgrading of sewerage systems, faecal sludge management facilities, and public sanitation facilities in urban areas, contributing to improved hygiene and environmental sanitation. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: This involves training and technical assistance for water utility staff, local government officials, and community structures to enhance their capacity in water resource management, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, financial management, and customer service. Key Project Areas and Scope The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project targets various strategic towns and their surrounding areas across Uganda, chosen based on population density, economic potential, and existing water and sanitation service gaps. While specific towns may vary based on project phases and funding, the project broadly covers: Urban and Peri-Urban Areas: Focusing on district headquarters and other rapidly growing towns that require significant upgrades and expansion of their water supply and sanitation systems. Rural Growth Centers: Extending services to smaller but growing rural communities that serve as important economic hubs. Refugee Settlements: Addressing the critical water and sanitation needs of populations in refugee settlements, often in partnership with humanitarian organizations, to ensure dignified living conditions and prevent disease outbreaks. Key Activities and Stakeholder Engagement The project emphasizes active engagement with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability: Feasibility Studies and Detailed Designs: Thorough technical and environmental assessments are conducted to ensure optimal and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Procurement and Construction Supervision: Transparent procurement processes and rigorous supervision ensure quality construction and adherence to standards. Community Mobilization and Sensitization: Engaging local communities is crucial for promoting ownership, ensuring proper use of facilities, and encouraging demand for services. This includes hygiene promotion campaigns. Partnerships with Local Governments and Water Utilities: Collaborative efforts with local authorities and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) are essential for project implementation, operation, and maintenance. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring of project progress, service delivery, and impact is undertaken to ensure accountability and inform future interventions. Impact and Future Outlook The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project is poised to make a transformative impact on the lives of millions of Ugandans. By expanding access to safe water and improved sanitation, the project will significantly contribute to: Reduced incidence of waterborne diseases: Leading to improved public health outcomes, especially for women and children. Enhanced productivity and economic growth: By reducing time spent fetching water and improving health, communities can engage more in productive activities. Improved environmental sustainability: Through better wastewater management and reduced pollution of water sources. Increased resilience to climate change: By investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, the project safeguards water security for future generations. The ongoing efforts and successes of the Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project are vital for Uganda’s journey towards achieving universal access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation, laying a strong foundation for a healthier and more prosperous future.
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LGFSs The Ministry of Water and Environment is actively implementing and expanding its program for Large Gravity Flow Schemes across Uganda. This strategic approach to water supply development leverages Uganda’s natural topography, particularly in hilly and mountainous regions, to deliver safe, clean, and reliable piped water to communities without the need for energy-intensive pumping. By harnessing the natural force of gravity, these schemes offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for increasing water access, improving public health, and reducing the burden of water collection, particularly for women and children in rural and peri-urban areas. Key Objectives of the Program: The Large Gravity Flow Schemes program aims to achieve several critical objectives: Increase Access to Safe Piped Water: To significantly expand the percentage of the population with sustainable access to safe and readily available piped water, especially in geographically challenging terrains where conventional motorized systems might be impractical or costly. Ensure Reliable and Sustainable Water Supply: To provide communities with a continuous and dependable flow of water throughout the year, utilizing perennial high-altitude water sources. Optimize Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability: To reduce the operational and maintenance costs associated with water supply by minimizing or eliminating the need for pumps, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the schemes. Improve Health, Sanitation, and Hygiene: To contribute directly to better health outcomes by providing clean water for drinking, cooking, and domestic hygiene, reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases. Reduce Distances to Water Sources: To bring water closer to households, schools, and health centers, saving communities significant time and effort previously spent on fetching water from distant or unsafe sources. Promote Environmental Protection: To ensure the protection and sustainable management of the water sources and their catchment areas, safeguarding the quantity and quality of water for future generations. Project Scope and Typical Activities: The implementation of Large Gravity Flow Schemes involves a comprehensive set of activities: Feasibility Studies and Source Identification: Thorough technical and social assessments to identify perennial springs, rivers, or other suitable water sources at higher elevations. Intake Structure Construction: Building robust intake structures at the water source to abstract water efficiently while protecting its quality. Transmission Pipeline Laying: Installation of extensive main pipelines, often spanning many kilometers, to convey water from the intake to storage reservoirs, utilizing gravity. Reservoir and Break-Pressure Tank Construction: Building strategically located reservoirs (storage tanks) and break-pressure tanks to manage water flow, maintain pressure, and ensure sufficient storage capacity. Distribution Network Development: Establishment of a network of secondary pipelines to distribute water from the reservoirs to various communities. Public Water Point (Standpipe) and Household Connections: Installation of public standpipes in accessible locations and facilitating private household connections where feasible. Water Source Protection: Implementing measures such as fencing, tree planting, and community sensitization to protect the integrity of the water source and its immediate catchment. Community Mobilization and Capacity Building: Engaging local communities, forming Water and Sanitation Committees (WSCs), and providing training on scheme operation, maintenance, and financial management to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Expected Impact and Benefits: The Large Gravity Flow Schemes program is expected to bring transformative benefits to beneficiary communities: Enhanced Water Coverage: A significant increase in the number of people with access to safe and reliable water, particularly in challenging terrains. Improved Public Health: A noticeable reduction in waterborne diseases due to the availability of clean water. Time and Labor Savings: Freeing up valuable time, especially for women and girls, which can be re-allocated to education, economic activities, and other productive endeavors. Economic Empowerment: Creating opportunities for small-scale agriculture and other enterprises due to reliable water access, and reducing healthcare expenditures. Environmental Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly water supply solutions with minimal energy requirements and fostering responsible water resource management. This ongoing program is a cornerstone of Uganda’s commitment to achieving national water security and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation. Bukedea GFS Revised RAP Report Bukedea District is water stressed and lies within the flood zone and hence faces a major challenge of increasing access to clean and safe water to its rapidly growing population amidst diminishing water resources both in quantity and quality. Ground water resources have proved inadequate to meet the district’s potable water demand.
SPGS III The Sawlog Production Grant Scheme Phase III (SPGS III) is a critical o...
As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Uganda faces challenges such as poverty and...
The Strategic Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (STWSSP), managed under...
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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