Uganda

Strengthening national institutional capacity in sound management of chemical and waste in Uganda

Charting Progress: Uganda's Strides Towards Integrated Chemical Governance

The Challenge

In Uganda, a nation with about 46 million people, the implementation of global conventions concerning chemical and waste management posed significant challenges. The absence of a comprehensive database to monitor the flow and utilization of chemicals entering and exiting the country compounded these difficulties. Across various sectors, the absence of a coherent chemical or waste management policy exacerbated coordination issues, leaving the nation ill-equipped to address these pressing concerns.

The Project

Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority partnered with UNEP to mainstream the sound management of chemicals in Uganda’s Vision 2040. The project focused on establishing a national chemicals database and strengthening the capacity of staff at different Government entities. It additionally targeted developing the coordination mechanism across these entities and supported the development of national waste management strategies.  

The Impact

The project made significant strides in strengthening Uganda’s capacity to manage chemicals and waste. One major achievement was the development of the National Chemicals and Waste Database, which provides information on chemicals across their entire lifecycle. Training materials were also developed and used to train staff from six different institutions on how to use the database.

Coordination was also strengthened across these different Government entities. A technical committee on chemicals management was established. This committee led the drafting of regulations for the management of hazardous chemicals and products containing hazardous chemicals. The regulations define the mandate, membership, and roles of the different entities responsible for handling hazardous chemicals.

Uganda’s National Chemicals Profile also had its first update in almost two decades under this project. The profile lays out strategies for chemicals and waste management as an integral part of Uganda’s Vision 2040 for a green and clean environment. 

Independent Assessment

Independent Assessment of the Closed Project under the Special Programme Report (December 2022): Uganda

Project Story

2018 - Managing waste in the emerging oil and gas industries in Uganda