Studies

In 2008, the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM) and the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) adopted a strategy to deconcentrate IWRM at the regional and river basin or catchment level with central oversight and guidance. One of the mains reasons behind this strategy is that it brings IWRM functions closer to stakeholders (farmers, townspeople, local government officials, etc.). Doing this helps to concentrate the focus onto real problems, to improve the analytical underpinnings of programs and projects and it also provides the opportunity for stakeholders to participate in the formulation of plans and the development of new water infrastructure.

The Mpanga River basin has a catchment area of around 5,130 km² at its outlet into Lake George. The
two main rivers of the Catchment are the river Mpanga and the Rushango River (see Figure 1). Altitudes
range from 3,000 m in the source areas down to 915 m at the outlet. The stream length of the Mpanga
River is around 200 km.

Policy makers in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have identified irrigation as a key ingredient to boosting food security and income as well as a precursor for agricultural development. However, most SSA countries have hardly exploited their irrigation potential. The overarching aim of this paper is to critically examine factors constraining exploitation of irrigation potential in Uganda. Lessons learned from previous interventions and successes elsewhere from countries comparable to Uganda are drawn and future perspectives to guide effective irrigation planning and development are recommended. From this paper, it is evident that there is no single blanket solution to constraints of irrigation development in SSA. All strategies should be implemented in a holistic manner dictated by specific local conditions. The key to successful adoption of irrigation lies in building the national irrigation capacity, improving access to reliable water for irrigation in proximity of the farms, streamlining extension services for farmers, addressing economic aspects of irrigation, and streamlining land tenure systems and management. It is recommended to operationalize government policy on irrigation by developing national guidelines on irrigated agriculture.

This Gender Impact Study was commissioned by the Ministry of Water and
Environment (MWE) with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to
assess the impact made in implementation of the strategic objectives of the Water
and Sanitation Sub-sector Gender Strategy (WSSGS) 2010-2015. The study was
carried out at national, district, sub-county, and community levels. A total of 10
districts from 8 Technical Support Units (TSUs) were covered. A sample of 1,547
water user households was selected in 10 districts. In addition, the study covered a
total of 40 district and extension workers. Ten (10) FGDs with water and sanitation
users and 53 in-depth discussions with water and sanitation committees
(WSCs)/Boards were also conducted. At MWE Offices, interviews were held with
staff in the Departments of Rural Water, Urban Water, Liaison Department, Water for
Production (WfP), Water Resources Management, Human Resource and, Policy and
Planning. Discussions were also held with TSU staff and NGOs

In line with the second National Development Plan and Vision 2040, the
Government budget strategy in FY2016/17 sought to strengthen Uganda’s
competitiveness for sustainable wealth creation, employment and inclusive growth.
Most resources were channeled to sectors that enhance production, productivity,
investment and value addition, although the social development sectors also
received substantial resources.

These guidelines were prepared by the Directorate of Water Resource Management of the Ministry
of Water and Environment with technical support of the World Bank (2014 edition) and Expertise
France (2017 edition). Input and guidance was gratefully received from various DWRM staff
at the centre and in the Water Management Zones, key stakeholders involved in catchmentbased water resources management activities and many other people and organisations who
took part in the consultation process. Financial support for preparation and printing of the
documents was provided by the World Bank.

This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ The World Bank. The findings, interpretatioand conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments threpresent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and otinformation shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territor the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.

The project was implemented with the combined effort of WaterLex International Secretariat and the
project research team from WaterAid, the National Association for Women’s Action in Development
(NAWAD) and the local consultant engaged by SIWI.

The study is a partnership between the Industrial Economics (IEc) expert team and staff,
the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) team, and other local counterparts in
Uganda. From the government of Uganda, we are grateful for policy guidance and
technical support provided by the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of
Energy and Minerals Development, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic
Development, the Nile Basin Initiative, and to the study focal points within these
Ministries whose participation made this study possible. The study greatly benefitted
from the important contributions made through valuable inputs, comments, advice, and
support provided by academia, civil society and NGOs, the donor community, and
development partners in Uganda throughout this work.

This analysis models the GDP effects of MWE investment across ten channels of economic impact. First, biophysical and reduced form models are employed to understand the impacts of management decisions. The results of these models are then input to an economy-wide model to estimate the overall economic impacts of MWE investment.

Results of a national integrated bio-physical/economic modeling framework show
that from 2015 to 2040 enhanced investment by the Ministry of Water and Environment
(MWE) in Water Resource Development and Environmental Management can increase
per capita GDP by 9% in 2040. Water resource development investments contribute 45%
of this increase, while wetland protection and land management investments (especially
efforts to switch away from firewood for cookstoves) yield 55% of the total benefit.