About the Ministry

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) was established in 2007, from the then Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment, following the cabinet decision taken on 15th April, 2007. It has the overall responsibility of the development, managing, and regulating water and Environment resources in Uganda.  

In the process of executing all its operations, the Ministry is committed to zero tolerance to fraud and corruption as guided by the existing legal national frameworks and institutions.

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.

The Ministry is also committed to ensuring transparency and accessibility of information, in addition to facilitating the resolution of disputes, with respect to environmental and social risks and gender considerations.

VISION, MISSION AND MANDATE OF THE MINISTRY

 The Vision of the Water and Environment Sector is ‘Sound management and sustainable utilisation of Water and Environment resources for the betterment of the population of Uganda.’

 Its’ Mission is ‘To promote and ensure the rational and sustainable utilisation, development and effective management of water and environment resources for socio-economic development of the country’

 The Mandate of the Ministry is derived from the Constitution and the Local Government Act and includes initiating legislation, policy formulation, setting standards, inspections, monitoring, and coordination and back up technical support in relation to water and environment sub sectors.

ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MWE

• Developing legislations, policies and standards for management of water and environment resources
• Providing sustainable safe water supply and sanitation facilities in rural areas
• Providing viable water supply and sewerage/sanitation systems for domestic, industrial and commercial use in urban areas
• Provision of water for production for use in agriculture , rural industries , tourism and other uses
• Coordinating the national development for Water for Production (agriculture, industry, aquaculture, tourism, trade)    
• Promotion of  integrated and sustainable water resource management
• Providing effective planning, coordination and management mechanisms for water and sanitation sector
• Providing sound and sustainable management of environment for optimum and social and economic benefits for the present and future generations
• Promotion of effective management of forests and trees to yield increases in economic, social and environment benefits for the current and future generation , especially the poor and vulnerable
• Receiving, transmitting and processing all weather data from stations nationwide and to international centres

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE WATER AND ENVIRONMENT SECTOR

The overall Strategic objectives for Water and Environment Sector are:

• a. To increase provision of water for production through development of multi-purpose bulk water storage and supply systems with the involvement of all stakeholders as appropriate.
• b. To increase water supply coverage in rural areas while ensuring equity through providing at least each village with one safe and clean water source and where technically feasible piped water options (gravity flow systems, solar pumped boreholes and surface treated systems) will be considered.
• c. To promote improved sanitation services in rural and urban areas including the promotion of hand-washing with soap.
• d. To increase water supplies and sewerage services in small towns, large towns, municipalities and cities focusing on the areas earmarked for industrial parks.
• e. To improve water resources management to ensure adequate quantity and quality for the various uses focusing on compliance to existing laws and regulations on the use of the resources at all levels.
• f. To increase the sustainable use of the environment and natural resources through restoration and to maintain the hitherto degraded ecosystems and undertake massive nationwide tree planting.
• g. To promote the wise use of wetlands through implementation of approved management plans developed in a participatory manner.
• h. To increase the functionality and usage of meteorological information to support sector specific early warning to combat the effects of climate change and disaster risks.
• i. To develop sector capacity throughout all the institutions and support other stakeholders in the sector.
• j. To review, develop and reform institutional frameworks, laws, policies and regulations to ensure fast and effective delivery of services.
• k. To promote gender and equity considerations

Institutional Framework for Water and Environment

The Water and Environment Sector consists of two sub-sectors: the Water & Sanitation (WSS) sub-sector and the Environment & Natural Resources (ENR) sub-sector. The Water and Sanitation Sub-Sector comprises of Water Development, Water Resources Management, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, and Water for Production. The Environment and the Natural Resources Sub-Sector comprises Environmental Management; management of forests and trees; management of Wetlands and aquatic resources; and Meteorology; Weather and Climate Change.

With effect from July 2008, the Water and Sanitation Sector Working Group (WSSWG)was merged with the Environment and Natural Resources Working Group (ENRWG) to form the Water and Environment Sector Working Group (WESWG). The WESWG provides policy and technical guidance for the sector. It comprises representatives from all key sector institutions (Government, Development Partners and NGOs).

The Ministry also work closing with other Government Ministries, Local Governments, the Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders at Community, District, Regional and National levels. 

Government Of Uganda