About UWEWK
Overview of the Uganda Water and Environment Week 2018 
Introduction: The Ministry of Water and Environment in collaboration with key partners plans to hold the first ever Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) at the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) of MWE in Entebbe from 17tn – 23rd March 2018. The event will coincide with the annual commemoration of three important International Days: World Forest Day 21st March, World Water Day of 22nd March and World Meteorological Day 23rd March 2018. The overall goal is to contribute to the national development goals through effective management of water and environment resources and distribution for sustainable socio-economic development of Uganda.
Objective: The objectives of the event are to (a) increase public awareness on water and environment resources for growth and development; (b) celebrate 25 years of adoption of Integrated Water Resources Management in Uganda; (c) launch Water Resources Institute in Entebbe; (d) showcase recent innovations, technologies and developments in the water and environment sector for efficient water and environment services delivery; (e ) explore business opportunities and trends in the water and environment sector; (f) provide a forum for exchange of ideas for long term business partnerships in the water and environment sector; and (g) identify potential partners to increase water and environment sector financing.
Rationale: The proposed event is remarkably linked to Uganda’s national development strategy, the National Development Plan II (NDP II), which focuses on achieving structural transformation through increased industrial activity, with emphasis on manufacturing, including value addition in agro-processing. A study by Industrial Economics (2016) on the contribution of water resources development and environmental management to Uganda’s economy indicates that meeting Uganda’s Vision 2040 growth targets will require tripling of reliable water deliveries relative to today’s levels, which will require heavy investments in environmental management and water resources. The study also observes that if water for manufacturing is limited because of poor management, 2040 Gross Domestic Products (GDP) could decline by five percent. As Uganda seeks to industrialize and meet national development goals, water management will be critical to ensure steady growth of the manufacturing, agricultural and service sectors.
Theme and Target Groups: The event will be organized under the theme: Water and Environment a Catalyst for Achieving Middle Income Status 2020; given the central role of Water and Environment Resources in the sustainable socio economic development of Uganda, it is anticipated that high level government officials right from the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and the Members of Parliament as well as members of the Diplomatic corp plus schools and the general Public will participate in various segments of the event.
Planned Activities: The event planned to run from 17th – 23rd March 2018 will utilize various models of presentations like key note addresses, plenary sessions, marathon, and panel discussions. In addition parallel sessions will be conducted for technical presentations, interactive posters and Applied training on topical issues of interest to the sector. Furthermore, exhibitions, side events, prize award ceremonies, side meetings and field visits to selected sites like; i) Feacal Sludge Management & Pro-poor WASH, ii) Pollution Management & Catchment Management, iii) Renewable (Solar, Wind) Energy Pumping & Micro-Irrigation Technologies and Innovative Energy Sources / Re-use among others will be undertaken.
Budget: A total budget of UgX 766,920,000 ( Seven hundred sixty –six million nine hundred twenty thousand only) is planned for the event, covering costs of Kampala clean up exercise, water run, conference facilities, field trips, launch of the Water Resources Institute (WRI), school engagements, entertainment, printing and publications, publicity and communication, and overall conference preparation.
Partners and Sponsors: Partners and sponsors are welcome to support any aspect of the budget. They will in turn enjoy preferential treatment in terms of branding rights on publicity materials, media mentions and conferences facilities.
Contact us;
Email: uwewk@mwe.go.ug; uwewk2018@gmail.com
Mobile: +256 782662205, +256 77262862, +256 772670517, +256 772521413
Follow us on social media;
Website: www.mwe.go.ug
Twitter: @min_waterUg #UWEWK
