8.1 External Factors

For the external factors of which NEMA has no control, the basic tools of the analysis are:

Political, Economic, Social, and Technological, (PEST). The
consolidated analysis is set out as outlined below.

8.1.1 Political

The rapid establishment of the National Environment Statute (1995), was a clear demonstration of the political support to NEMA as the implementer of the Action Plan in the country; and this political good can be an element that will contributes to success of these standards.

The emphasis on foreign investment in the country with a view to boost the economy will introduce new actors with different views into the scene of environmental management. Many of these may see the environment
management efforts as an extra cost to their investment, and so may seek ways of circumventing the legal requirements.

The Structural Adjustment Programme and in particular, Liberalisation Policy, presents both an opportunity and a threat to the success of these standards. This policy is a strength, in that, many investors will come to NEMA for guidance and this is an opportunity to influence performance; but the limited financial support NEMA has will prevent it from giving effective guidance to the interested investor.

8.1.2 Economic

The agricultural sector is still the predominant economic sector in the country; however this sector is largely in the hands of the peasant. With the peasants_ limited appreciation or ignorance of the importance of the said
standards, it will be an up-hill task to ensure compliance with the set standards.

Poverty is a serious problem in the country. Poverty has an intricate relation with environmental management. The poorer the society the less likely the environment will be managed properly because, poverty limits the society's
ability to acquire the necessary knowledge and technology to manage the environment properly.

This has the effect of reducing the ability of the institution to ensure the protection of the soil (and other natural resources). The current efforts to eradicate poverty in the country will take time to yield results and meanwhile soil degradation will be influenced by the prevailing
conditions.

The Government of Uganda is running a stringent budget as a result of factors such as external debt which requires large sums of money to be committed for debt servicing and balance of payments, hence, leaving little money for developmental activities. This has denied the institution adequate funds for proper operation; and so making it difficult to ensure compliance with the standards.

8.1.3 Social

The rural nature of the communities as mentioned above, is a constraint. The literacy level is low, the cultural attitudes as regards family sizes, and inheritance are contributing towards the land fragmentation and poor farming
techniques hence, leading to land degradation mentioned in Sections 1.2.1.2 and 1.2.1.3 above. This has the effect of increasing the work load for NEMA.

Demographic trends such as the rate of over 2.5% of population growth, is regarded high and that pressure on the land is increasing at a high rate (which NEMA is not in position to cope with at the current funding and staffing. This makes it difficult to ensure compliance). In addition to this, there is uncontrolled migrations arising from civil strife conflicts, which are leading to Inadequately planned settlements and corresponding improper use of land;
encouraging degradation of land resources, which these standards are supposed to correct.

Infrastructure and communications are not developed enough to enable easy monitoring of performance of the standards. This will contribute towards reducing the ability of the institutions to ensure compliance.

8.1.4 Technology

Agricultural technology is not improving at the rate that would support the implementation of these standards at the rural level, and yet this is where most of the degradation is being generated. In particular, not enough
food is being produced for the communities. As a result is famine is experienced in at lease 12 districts in the country. Persons in famine situations will think least about soil management.

Communication technology in the rural areas including telecommunications, roads, railways, mass media (radio, newspapers and television), which are the most important tools for mobilisation of the public to ]live up to the set standards, are not adequately developed. This state of affairs will reduce the success of these standards.

Laboratory competence for the necessary analysis is inadequate. Currently many prospective investors in the agriculture sector, especially in flower growing enterprise, are sending soil samples for analysis in Europe. This is not conducive to monitoring of standards.