FEATURED
Aug 19, 2026
📊 40+
Active Projects
🗺️ 136
Districts Served
💧 84%
Rural Functionality
🚰 68%
Rural Water Access
Message from Leadership
Welcome to the Ministry
Welcome to the Ministry
of Water and Environment
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.
Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire
Minister of Water & Environment
Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim
Minister of State for Environment
Hon. Aisha Sekindi
Minister of State for Water
Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire
Minister of Water & Environment
Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim
Minister of State for Environment
Hon. Aisha Sekindi
Minister of State for Water
Highlights
Events & Activities
Quick Links
Latest Opportunities
Highlights
Latest Updates
Aug 13, 2026
Government Commissions Modern Solar-Powered Water System in Kyankwanzi District
KYANKWANZI, UGANDA — In a major boost to safe water coverage and agricultural resilience in central...
Aug 05, 2026
Nile Basin Districts Pledge to Support Kalagala, Itanda Falls Conservation and Protection Project
Local government leaders from five districts along the River Nile have pledged total support for a m...
Jul 31, 2026
Department of Meteorological Services Launches WISER ActionFirst In Africa Project to Boost Early Warnings
The Ministry of Water and Environment through the Department of Meteorological Services has launched...
FEATURED
Featured Projects
LIFE-AR
📍 Kalungu, Pader, Kibaale, Kaabong
+1 more
Least Developed Countries (LDC) Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience
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 NationalClimate 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 forwardDistrict-Wide Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) completed in all districtsDistrict and sub-county technical awareness meetings conductedPCCC election and training process completedProposal development and investment selection for the first four districts completedInvestment implementation in progress for the first four districts.Date joined: November 2020Current phase: Test & EvolveNumber of districts/sub-districts selected: 12 Pilot DistrictsName of organisation responsible: Ministry of Water and EnvironmentName and function of focal point:Scovia Akot (National Focal Point) - Coordination of the Programme;Harriet Kyomuhendo (Alternate Focal Point)Follow us on social mediaX @LIFEARug
PROJECT: IFPA-CD
Investing in Forest and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development Project
The IFPA-CD project development objective is to to improve sustainable management of forests and protected areas and increase benefits to communities from forests in target landscapes that include Albertine Rift, the refugee hosting areas of West Nile Region and Lamwo District.The project has four components:Improved management of protected areas;Increased revenues and jobs from forests and wildlife protected areas;Improved landscape management in refugee-hosting areas; andProject management and monitoring.
Coverage: 📍 10 Districts
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PROJECT: UgREDD+RBP1
Uganda REDD+ Result Based Payments for results period 2016- 2017
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone by reducing over 8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through targeted efforts to combat deforestation. These results were reported in Uganda’s Biennial Update Report (BUR) and validated through the UNFCCC’s technical assessment and analysis processes. At the 43rd Meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board (27–30 October 2025, Songdo, Republic of Korea), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will present the project “Uganda REDD+ Results-Based Payment for Emission Reductions (2016–2017)”. The proposal seeks a USD 31 million GCF grant to reward Uganda’s verified emission reductions and support continued efforts to halt deforestation and forest degradation. This is the first REDD+ Results-Based Payment project in Africa to be presented to the GCF Board, positioning Uganda as a regional leader in climate mitigation and forest conservation.Forests under pressure Uganda’s forests are facing increasing threats from agricultural and settlement expansion, grazing, and unsustainable wood harvesting for charcoal and timber. These proximate drivers are underpinned by broader socio-economic factors, including, limited economic alternatives, weak governance, insecure land tenure, and rapid population growth.Agricultural conversion for commodities, such as cassava and cattle, is responsible for over 90 percent of forest loss.These pressures are eroding vital ecosystems and accelerating emissions, underscoring the urgent needfor policies and measures that both sustain existing forests and expand forest cover while safeguardingthe rights and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. This project will build on Uganda’s REDD+Strategy and address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation through: Sustainable land management and agroforestry; Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable woodfuel production; Community-based pole and timber plantations; and Restoration of natural forests.These strategies aim to relieve pressure on natural ecosystems while promoting carbon removal and long-term sustainability. Agroforestry systems will generate benefits from several sources, including crop yields, timber, firewood, carbon, and watershed protection. Woodlots for both timber and firewood will reduce the distances rural women must walk to collect firewood.
Coverage: 📍 17 Districts
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PROJECT: MCC
Mpanga Catchment Conservation
August 8, 2024 – Kabarole District: The Ministry of Water and Environment has officially launched an ambitious watershed management and nature-based conservation project aimed at safeguarding the Mpanga catchment area, which spans approximately 5,200 km² across the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, Kazo, Ibanda, Mbarara, and Kiruhura. This project is set to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental challenges, including wetland encroachment, river bank degradation, and pollution, as identified in the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan (CMP) completed in 2015.The CMP has been actively implemented by both government and non-government actors under the leadership of the Directorate of Water Resources Management through the Albert Water Management Zone (AWMZ) since 2015. With a fresh injection of funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Ministry is poised to intensify efforts in watershed management and nature-based water conservation activities within the Mpanga catchment.The project launch, held in Fort Portal Tourism City, Kabarole District, was graced by the Director Water Resources Management, Dr Callist who represented the Minister of Water and Environment and who delivered an inspiring speech. “It is my honor and privilege to be with you today at the launch of this transformative initiative, made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,” the Minister began. “This project marks a significant milestone for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship in the Mpanga Catchment.”Project Goals and ObjectivesThe primary goal of this project is to bolster the implementation of the Mpanga Catchment Management Plan by enhancing the capacity of the AWMZ and Catchment Management Organizations (CMOs). Specific objectives include:Building the capacity of catchment management organizations to improve institutional processes, planning, and management through targeted training programs.Strengthening the AWMZ staff’s ability to coordinate activities through enhanced skills in work planning, monitoring, and conducting technical tests to ensure effective implementation.Supporting the restoration and implementation of priority conservation measures within the catchment.Positioning the AWMZ as a model for catchment-based water resources management by promoting institutional cooperation and disseminating success stories from the Mpanga catchment.Project Timeline and FundingThe project is slated to run for three years, from June 2024 to June 2027, with a total budget of 1.395 million USD, generously provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The Ministry of Water and Environment will lead the project, collaborating closely with key partners such as Water for People and Join for Water, along with additional consultancy firms to be procured by the Ministry.Anticipated BenefitsThe project is expected to yield significant environmental and institutional benefits, including:Restoration of degraded landscapes through afforestation on both private and public lands.Restoration and demarcation of wetland systems and their buffer zones.Establishment of soil and water conservation structures.Installation of a mini weather station within the Mpanga catchment.Construction of a hydro-monitoring station at the Mpanga catchment outlet.Capacity building for the Mpanga Catchment Management Organization (CMO) to enhance its operational effectiveness.The Minister highlighted the project’s focus on scaling up these efforts: “Today, we embark on a journey to scale up the implementation of remedial catchment management measures in the Mpanga Catchment to safeguard our precious water and environmental resources for generations. This project will focus on data collection, wetland restoration, re-afforestation, and capacity development of the Catchment Management Organization.”As the project officially gets underway, it marks a significant step forward in the sustainable management of the Mpanga catchment, ensuring the protection and conservation of vital water resources for the communities and ecosystems that depend on them.The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to the partners involved: “I appreciate the Water For People team working tirelessly with the Ministry staff in drafting the project proposal. I also acknowledge Join For Water for their support in the preparatory meetings.”The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including district chairpersons, resident district commissioners, chief administrative officers, representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, religious institutions, and the media.This ambitious project underscores the Ministry of Water and Environment’s commitment to sustainable environmental management and its role in contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Coverage: 📍 7 Districts
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LIFE-AR
Least Developed Countries (LDC) Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience
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 NationalClimate 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 forwardDistrict-Wide Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) completed in all districtsDistrict and sub-county technical awareness meetings conductedPCCC election and training process completedProposal development and investment selection for the first four districts completedInvestment implementation in progress for the first four districts.Date joined: November 2020Current phase: Test & EvolveNumber of districts/sub-districts selected: 12 Pilot DistrictsName of organisation responsible: Ministry of Water and EnvironmentName and function of focal point:Scovia Akot (National Focal Point) - Coordination of the Programme;Harriet Kyomuhendo (Alternate Focal Point)Follow us on social mediaX @LIFEARug
IFPA-CD
Investing in Forest and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development Project
The IFPA-CD project development objective is to to improve sustainable managemen...
10 Districts
UgREDD+RBP1
Uganda REDD+ Result Based Payments for results period 2016- 2017
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone...
17 Districts
MCC
Mpanga Catchment Conservation
August 8, 2024 – Kabarole District: The Ministry of Water and Environment has of...
7 Districts
Statement on Ethical Issues
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.
View Standards
