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 Ministers of Water and Environment, the Permanent Secretary and Staf...
NAIROBI-Uganda has taken a front-row seat in shaping the future of environmental conservation and c...
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment; Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi represented...
FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION (FLR) IMPLEMENTATION HUB PROJECT LAUNCHEDThe Permanent Secretary launch...
EURECCCAThe EURECCCA project is a vital initiative by the Government of Uganda, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment, to bolster the resilience of communities against the adverse impacts of climate change, specifically floods and landslides. The project adopts a catchment-based integrated management approach to water and related resources, aligning with Uganda’s broader environmental and development goals. While the initial duration was set for 2017-2021, the project’s discussions and ongoing activities suggest its continued relevance and impact.Overall Goal and Specific AimsThe overarching goal of the EURECCCA project is to increase the resilience of communities to the risk of floods and landslides in the targeted catchments. This is achieved by promoting integrated, equitable, and sustainable management of water and related resources. More specifically, the project aims to:Support the Government’s efforts to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) through Catchment Management Planning.Directly enhance the resilience of communities to climate-induced hazards in the designated project areas.Project ComponentsThe project’s strategy is designed to achieve its comprehensive objectives through various interlinked activities, primarily focusing on:Catchment Management Planning: Developing and implementing strategic plans for the sustainable management of water and related resources within each target catchment.Community Resilience Building: Implementing interventions that directly reduce the vulnerability of local communities to floods and landslides.Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Fostering participation among local communities and relevant stakeholders, and building their capacity in integrated water resource management.Key Project Areas and ScopeEURECCCA focuses on three primary catchments in Uganda, situated within different Water Management Zones:Maziba Catchment: Located in the Kagera Basin, Victoria Water Management Zone, specifically launched in Kabale district. This area faces significant challenges related to natural resource management and sustainable socio-economic development.Aswa Catchment: Located in the Upper Nile Water Management Zone, launched in Gulu district. This large catchment spans approximately 31,428 km2, with a significant portion within Uganda (about 27,631 km2). It covers numerous districts including Kaabong, Kotido, Napak, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Abim, Kole, Amuria, Otuke, Alebtong, Lira, Gulu, and Oyam. The Aswa Catchment is further subdivided into eight sub-catchments: Agago, Aswa 1, Aswa 2, Aswa 3, Nyimur, Pager Aringa, Pager Matidi, and Pager Kitgum. Within the Upper Nile Water Management Zone, the project specifically targets Aswa 1, Agago, and Pager Matidi sub-catchments.Awoja Catchment: Located in the Kyoga Water Management Zone.Key Activities and Stakeholder EngagementThe project emphasizes active engagement with stakeholders to ensure localized and effective implementation:Supervision Missions: Regular missions, such as the one held in June 2018 at the Royal Suites Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala, are conducted to review project progress and report to stakeholders.Stakeholder Forum Meetings: Meetings like the one for the Pager Matidi Sub-Catchment at Little Palace Hotel in Kitgum district are crucial for introducing the project to local stakeholders and facilitating the establishment of sub-catchment management committees to oversee interventions.Project Launches: Formal launches, such as those in Kabale for Maziba Catchment and Gulu for Aswa Catchment, signify the official commencement of project activities in specific regions and engage local leadership, including the State Minister for Environment, Hon. Gorretti Mary Kitutu.Impact and Future OutlookThe EURECCCA project is actively working to address critical challenges related to natural resource management and sustainable socio-economic development in Uganda. By promoting catchment-based integrated management, it aims to enhance community resilience, reduce the devastating impacts of floods and landslides, and secure livelihoods that depend on a healthy environment. The ongoing efforts and lessons learned from the project are vital for informing future strategies for sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation in Uganda.
GCF-WetlandsThe 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.
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Overview: This is an ongoing Government of Uganda initiative, led by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD). It is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).Problem: Uganda faces significant deforestation and environmental degradation due to unsustainable charcoal production, which remains a primary energy source, particularly in urban areas.Goal: To mitigate the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of charcoal production by promoting sustainable practices and cleaner energy alternatives across the value chain.Key Interventions:Sustainable Forest Management: Supporting the establishment of wood energy plantations with fast-growing tree species and rehabilitating degraded natural forests on private lands.Improved Charcoal Production: Facilitating the adoption of efficient charcoal kilns (e.g., Casamance kilns) through subsidies and training to reduce wood waste and increase efficiency.Policy & Governance: Strengthening regulatory frameworks and fostering cross-sector collaboration to formalize and govern the sustainable charcoal value chain.Clean Energy Promotion: Raising public awareness and supporting the adoption of cleaner energy alternatives like solar, LPG, and improved cooking stoves.Impact: The project aims to achieve reduced deforestation, increased forest cover, enhanced livelihoods for communities reliant on charcoal, and the development of a more efficient and sustainable energy sector in Uganda. Project activities are concentrated in 14 districts across Northern, West Nile, Central, and Mid-Western Uganda.
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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.
EURECCCAThe EURECCCA project is a vital initiative by the Government of Uganda, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment, to bolster the resilience of communities against the adverse impacts of climate change, specifically floods and landslides. The project adopts a catchment-based integrated management approach to water and related resources, aligning with Uganda’s broader environmental and development goals. While the initial duration was set for 2017-2021, the project’s discussions and ongoing activities suggest its continued relevance and impact.Overall Goal and Specific AimsThe overarching goal of the EURECCCA project is to increase the resilience of communities to the risk of floods and landslides in the targeted catchments. This is achieved by promoting integrated, equitable, and sustainable management of water and related resources. More specifically, the project aims to:Support the Government’s efforts to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) through Catchment Management Planning.Directly enhance the resilience of communities to climate-induced hazards in the designated project areas.Project ComponentsThe project’s strategy is designed to achieve its comprehensive objectives through various interlinked activities, primarily focusing on:Catchment Management Planning: Developing and implementing strategic plans for the sustainable management of water and related resources within each target catchment.Community Resilience Building: Implementing interventions that directly reduce the vulnerability of local communities to floods and landslides.Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Fostering participation among local communities and relevant stakeholders, and building their capacity in integrated water resource management.Key Project Areas and ScopeEURECCCA focuses on three primary catchments in Uganda, situated within different Water Management Zones:Maziba Catchment: Located in the Kagera Basin, Victoria Water Management Zone, specifically launched in Kabale district. This area faces significant challenges related to natural resource management and sustainable socio-economic development.Aswa Catchment: Located in the Upper Nile Water Management Zone, launched in Gulu district. This large catchment spans approximately 31,428 km2, with a significant portion within Uganda (about 27,631 km2). It covers numerous districts including Kaabong, Kotido, Napak, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Abim, Kole, Amuria, Otuke, Alebtong, Lira, Gulu, and Oyam. The Aswa Catchment is further subdivided into eight sub-catchments: Agago, Aswa 1, Aswa 2, Aswa 3, Nyimur, Pager Aringa, Pager Matidi, and Pager Kitgum. Within the Upper Nile Water Management Zone, the project specifically targets Aswa 1, Agago, and Pager Matidi sub-catchments.Awoja Catchment: Located in the Kyoga Water Management Zone.Key Activities and Stakeholder EngagementThe project emphasizes active engagement with stakeholders to ensure localized and effective implementation:Supervision Missions: Regular missions, such as the one held in June 2018 at the Royal Suites Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala, are conducted to review project progress and report to stakeholders.Stakeholder Forum Meetings: Meetings like the one for the Pager Matidi Sub-Catchment at Little Palace Hotel in Kitgum district are crucial for introducing the project to local stakeholders and facilitating the establishment of sub-catchment management committees to oversee interventions.Project Launches: Formal launches, such as those in Kabale for Maziba Catchment and Gulu for Aswa Catchment, signify the official commencement of project activities in specific regions and engage local leadership, including the State Minister for Environment, Hon. Gorretti Mary Kitutu.Impact and Future OutlookThe EURECCCA project is actively working to address critical challenges related to natural resource management and sustainable socio-economic development in Uganda. By promoting catchment-based integrated management, it aims to enhance community resilience, reduce the devastating impacts of floods and landslides, and secure livelihoods that depend on a healthy environment. The ongoing efforts and lessons learned from the project are vital for informing future strategies for sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation in Uganda.
GCF-WetlandsThe Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a pivotal financial mechanism under...
Overview: This is an ongoing Government of Uganda initiative, led by the Ministr...
Project summary Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda achieved a major climate milestone...
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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