Uganda is implementing a policy of decentralization which entails a transfer of rights, responsibilities, and authorities to local governments. Environmental management is a sphere that has been decentralised to local authorities. The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) plays a key advisory role regarding management of natural resources by local governments. Under the National Environmental Act, NEMA assists District Councils and lower local councils to formulate and enforce environmental bye-laws as part of the Environmental Action Planning Process. This process seeks to identify environmental issues in need of regulation or existing environmental by-laws that need reinforcement.
The bye-law formulation and enforcement process incorporates a significant element of public participation, since bye-laws are based on the premise that public awareness and endorsement is the key to successful implementation.
NEMA has been building the capacity of district and community leaders to formulate and enforce environmental by-laws. This training seeks to:
- introduce environmental regulation as a tool for environmental management at the community level;
- enhance the capacity of the local leaders to formulate environmental by-laws especially regarding decentralized environmental functions and services; and
- raise awareness of the local leaders and communities and generate a common understanding of the procedures to be followed in environmental bye-law formulation and enforcement.
The targeted audience includes local leaders, district and sub-county councilors, district technical staff, sub-county chiefs, resident state attorneys, and local police. These various officials and staff play distinct, but key, roles in formulating and enforcing environmental bye-laws, including:
- identifying environmental problems that need regulation;
- drafting by-laws;
- passing and enacting by-laws; and
- monitoring compliance with by-laws and enforcing them as necessary.
For more information, contact Ms. Christine Akello at cakello@nemaug.org or info@nemaug.org