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
Uganda is strengthening its fight against forest and wildlife crime through closer inter-agency collaboration, stronger legal frameworks, improved enforcement c...
On 26th August 2026, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Rural Water Supply and...
Ministry of Water and Environment, Jinja District Harmonize Plans to Reopen Namavundu Central Forest...
KYANKWANZI, UGANDA - In a major boost to safe water coverage and agricultural resilience in central...
GCF-Wetlands The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a pivotal financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dedicated to supporting developing countries in their efforts to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In Uganda, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) is an accredited entity and plays a central role in accessing and managing GCF resources to implement transformative climate action. GCF projects in Uganda are designed to build resilience in communities and ecosystems, promote sustainable land and water management, and foster low-carbon development pathways. These initiatives are crucial for Uganda to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and sustainable development goals. Key Objectives of GCF Projects in Uganda: GCF projects in Uganda typically focus on a range of strategic objectives aimed at addressing critical climate vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable development: Building Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Communities: To enhance the adaptive capacity of communities, particularly those dependent on natural resources, to cope with climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. Expected Activities: Restoring degraded wetlands and associated catchments; promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods; developing and strengthening early warning systems for climate-related disasters. Enhancing Ecosystem Health and Services: To restore and conserve vital ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, which provide essential services for climate regulation, water security, and biodiversity. Expected Activities: Large-scale wetland restoration and rehabilitation; sustainable land management practices in catchment areas; promoting reforestation and afforestation initiatives. Promoting Climate-Resilient Water Security: To ensure sustainable access to water resources for communities, agriculture, and livestock, especially in drought-prone regions. Expected Activities: Development and rehabilitation of climate-resilient water infrastructure (e.g., solar-powered boreholes, earth dams); promotion of rainwater harvesting technologies; integrated water resource management. Fostering Low-Carbon Development: To support transitions towards a low-emission economy by promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Expected Activities: Facilitating access to renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar energy for households and communities); supporting sustainable land use practices that reduce emissions. Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Climate Information Systems: To enhance the capacity of national and local institutions to effectively plan, implement, and monitor climate change interventions, and to improve the availability and use of climate information. Expected Activities: Providing technical training and resources to government agencies and local communities; strengthening climate data collection, analysis, and dissemination; integrating climate considerations into national and sub-national development planning. Project Scope Description: GCF projects in Uganda typically involve significant financial grants and technical assistance to support the implementation of large-scale, multi-sectoral interventions. The scope often encompasses: Grant Financing: Direct financial support for project activities, leveraging co-financing from the Government of Uganda and other development partners. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: Provision of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of implementing partners and beneficiaries. Community Engagement and Livelihood Support: Direct engagement with vulnerable communities to identify their needs, build their adaptive capacity, and provide alternative sustainable livelihoods. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Robust systems for tracking project progress, measuring impacts, and generating lessons learned to inform future climate action. Policy and Regulatory Support: Contributions to the development and implementation of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks that enable effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. GCF projects, such as the “Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda” project, exemplify Uganda’s commitment to tackling climate change through integrated and community-centric approaches, ultimately aiming for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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 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.
GCF-Wetlands The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a pivotal financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dedicated to supporting developing countries in their efforts to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In Uganda, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) is an accredited entity and plays a central role in accessing and managing GCF resources to implement transformative climate action. GCF projects in Uganda are designed to build resilience in communities and ecosystems, promote sustainable land and water management, and foster low-carbon development pathways. These initiatives are crucial for Uganda to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and sustainable development goals. Key Objectives of GCF Projects in Uganda: GCF projects in Uganda typically focus on a range of strategic objectives aimed at addressing critical climate vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable development: Building Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Communities: To enhance the adaptive capacity of communities, particularly those dependent on natural resources, to cope with climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. Expected Activities: Restoring degraded wetlands and associated catchments; promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods; developing and strengthening early warning systems for climate-related disasters. Enhancing Ecosystem Health and Services: To restore and conserve vital ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, which provide essential services for climate regulation, water security, and biodiversity. Expected Activities: Large-scale wetland restoration and rehabilitation; sustainable land management practices in catchment areas; promoting reforestation and afforestation initiatives. Promoting Climate-Resilient Water Security: To ensure sustainable access to water resources for communities, agriculture, and livestock, especially in drought-prone regions. Expected Activities: Development and rehabilitation of climate-resilient water infrastructure (e.g., solar-powered boreholes, earth dams); promotion of rainwater harvesting technologies; integrated water resource management. Fostering Low-Carbon Development: To support transitions towards a low-emission economy by promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Expected Activities: Facilitating access to renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar energy for households and communities); supporting sustainable land use practices that reduce emissions. Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Climate Information Systems: To enhance the capacity of national and local institutions to effectively plan, implement, and monitor climate change interventions, and to improve the availability and use of climate information. Expected Activities: Providing technical training and resources to government agencies and local communities; strengthening climate data collection, analysis, and dissemination; integrating climate considerations into national and sub-national development planning. Project Scope Description: GCF projects in Uganda typically involve significant financial grants and technical assistance to support the implementation of large-scale, multi-sectoral interventions. The scope often encompasses: Grant Financing: Direct financial support for project activities, leveraging co-financing from the Government of Uganda and other development partners. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: Provision of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of implementing partners and beneficiaries. Community Engagement and Livelihood Support: Direct engagement with vulnerable communities to identify their needs, build their adaptive capacity, and provide alternative sustainable livelihoods. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Robust systems for tracking project progress, measuring impacts, and generating lessons learned to inform future climate action. Policy and Regulatory Support: Contributions to the development and implementation of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks that enable effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. GCF projects, such as the “Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda” project, exemplify Uganda’s commitment to tackling climate change through integrated and community-centric approaches, ultimately aiming for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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 five-year project aims to restore degraded sections of ten wetland systems a...
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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