Water resources support key sectors of the economy namely hydropower generation, agriculture,fisheries, domestic water supply, industry, navigation etc. However, efficiency and sustainability of intervention under these sectors has recently been a concern in Uganda mainly due to inadequate sectoral collaboration in planning and implementation, increasing frequency of floods and droughts, environmental degradation and pollution of water resources. This situation therefore calls for development of mechanisms for promoting integrated planning, development and management of water resources so as to create synergy among various sectors, promote efficiency in utilization of available resources, reduce water and environmental degradation and ensure more efficient utilization of water resources to meet various social and economic demands.

In 2011, my Ministry embarked on preparation of Catchment Management Plans (CMPs) as tools for ensuring equitable access to, and use of water resources, and safeguard of key natural resources for sustainable socio-economic development of the country.

A CMP provides a long-term strategy for sustainable development and utilization of water and related resource. Catchment based water resources planning and management is in line with the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) paradigm, which ensures that land, water, and related resources are developed and managed in a coordinated manner without compromising sustainability of vital ecosystems. As the lead agency for implementation of Catchment based Water Resources Management (CbWRM) in Uganda, my ministry through the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) is operationalizing the CbWRM framework through the four Water Management Zones of Albert, Kyoga, Upper Nile and Victoria WMZ.