The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) has the responsibility for setting national policies and standards, managing and regulating water resources and determining priorities for water development and management. It also monitors and evaluates sector development programmes to keep track of their performance, efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. MWE has three directorates: Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM), Directorate of Water Development (DWD) and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

The mandate of the MWE regarding sanitation and hygiene activities is stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by MoH, MoES, and MWE. The role of MWE is limited to development of public sanitary facilities and promotion of good practices of hygiene and sanitation in small towns and rural growth centres. With respect to water for production, MWE is the lead agency for water for production and development off-farm. MAAIF is the lead agency for water use and management for agricultural development on-farm. The mandate of MTTI covers water use and management of industries, commerce, wildlife and tourism. The mandate of MEMD is water use and management for hydropower generation.

The following parastatal institutions and authorities are under the Ministry of Water and Environment:

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is a parastatal that operates and provides water and sewerage services for 23 large urban centres across the country including Kampala. NWSC’s activities are aimed at expanding service coverage, improving efficiency in service delivery and increasing labour.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA): NEMA responsible for the regulatory functions and activities that focus on compliance and enforcement of the existing legal and institutional frameworks on environmental management in Uganda. NEMA’s mandate covers both green and brown issues of environmental management. It oversees the implementation of all environment conservation programmes and activities of the relevant agencies both at the national and local Government level.

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) is responsible for sustainable management of Central Forest Reserves (CFRs), supply of seed and seedlings, and provision of technical support to stakeholders in the forestry sub-sector on contract. NFA is a semi-autonomous business entity and generates most of its own revenues and finances its activities, i.e. NFA’s support is contingent upon payment for its services.

The below chart presents an overview of the Ministry with Directorates, Departments, and linkages to committees and parastatal agencies under the Ministry.

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