Environment
Uganda Leads the World in Implementation of Global Environment Commitments
By William Lubuulwa
Uganda has emerged as one of the leading nations globally in effectively implementing commitments under international environmental agreements, according to a new report from North Eastern University in Boston, USA.
The findings, published on the Environmental Conventions Index (ECI) platform, place the country at the very top in several categories of environmental management, making it a standout in Africa and beyond.
What the Environmental Conventions Index Mean
The Environmental Conventions Index (ECI) utilizes a systematic scoring process to assess how well countries are implementing their international environmental commitments. This process is based on specific indicators that align with the actual stages of implementing environmental policies.
The ECI’s indicators are categorised into five key areas: information, regulation, management, technical, and financial obligations.
Impressive Worldwide Performance
In the category of Hazardous Waste Management, in accordance with the Basel Convention, the country scored an impressive 4.73 ECI points, ranking number one in Africa and 6th worldwide.
Uganda has an elaborate system to track movement of hazardous waste into and out of its boundaries through a multi-sectoral Pollution Control Committee (PCC) and a robust permitting and licensing system. The PCC established by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Board, is chaired by NEMA with membership from Makerere University, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water and Environment, Directorate of Government Analytical Labaratory, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, National Bureau of Standards, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Private Sector Foundation.
In the category of wetlands conservation, Uganda scored a 4.71 ECI score, placing the country on top in Africa, and 3rd globally. Given Uganda’s vast and ecologically critical wetlands, this performance demonstrates a sustained commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable land use.
Recent years have seen a series of bold measures to safeguard wetlands. The government has permanently suspended approvals and licences for new projects in wetlands and embarked on large-scale wetland restoration projects in areas such as Lwera in Kalungu District, Limoto in Pallisa District, and Lubigi in Kampala/Wakiso.
Communities have been supported to transition from destructive activities like rice cultivation in wetlands to alternative livelihoods such as aquaculture and eco-tourism. NEMA, together with district environment offices, has undertaken the removal of illegal sand mining operations, especially in Kalungu District, and restored degraded sections with indigenous vegetation.
In the Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Uganda ranked 11th in Africa, and 70th globally. This indicates continued progress in managing dangerous chemicals that threaten both human health and the environment.
Uganda’s chemical control efforts include the phasing out of polychlorinated biphenyls from power transformers, the enforcement of bans on particularly harmful pesticides, and the strengthening of customs checks to intercept illegal imports of dangerous substances. The country has also initiated safe disposal programmes for obsolete pesticides, in partnership with international agencies, to prevent contamination of soils and water sources.
Sustained Government Efforts
Experts say Uganda’s ranking is not surprising as a lot of efforts have been put by government in strengthening institutional capacity for environment management. There is more awareness, there is more systems development, there is more vigilance and there is more regulation and enforcement.
Inter-agency coordination has also greatly improved in the recent past as seen in collaborative enforcement operations against wetland degradation. There is strengthened coordination between NEMA and lead agencies including Department of Wetlands Management, Directorate of Water Resources, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Local Governments and Urban Authorities, the Private Sector and Civil Societies.
The North Eastern University report reinforces Uganda’s role as a leader in environmental governance in Africa and globally. With continued investment in compliance systems, Uganda is poised to maintain its global standing and strengthen its role in shaping the future of environmental governance.
More information on the ranking can be found on https://eci.environmentalgovernance.org/country/uga?chart=all-conventions
Mr. Lubuulwa is the Senior Public Relations Officer at NEMA.
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