By Tony Achidria – Senior Environment Awareness Officer

Uganda’s commitment to environmental sustainability received a significant boost with the recent weeklong training session organized by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Held in Jinja City, this comprehensive program brought together a diverse group of Environment Inspectors, district and city environment officers, and natural resource managers from across the country. The overarching goal was to deepen their understanding of crucial environmental issues and empower them with the necessary tools for effective oversight and enforcement.

The training comprised a series of in-depth sessions led by experts in various fields, each addressing key aspects of environmental management:

Institutional, Policy, & Legal Framework: Mr. Godwin Kamugisha, NEMA’s Manager of Strategic Planning and Partnerships, provided participants with a detailed overview of Uganda’s institutional setup, policy landscape, and legal framework concerning environmental management. This session served as a foundational understanding of the structures and mechanisms governing environmental affairs within the country.

Principles of Environmental Legislation: Dr. Patrick Byakagaba, a distinguished faculty member from Makerere University, delved into the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of environmental legislation. Through case studies and discussions, participants gained insights into the complexities of legal frameworks guiding their work.

Overview of Environmental Laws and Regulations: Ms. Sarah Naigaga, NEMA’s senior legal officer, offered a comprehensive overview of the relevant environmental laws and regulations applicable in Uganda. With a focus on practical application, participants learned about the nuances of compliance and enforcement within the legal mandates.

Environmental Inspections and Enforcement: Ms. Nancy Allimadi, NEMA’s manager for environment inspections, monitoring, and audits, led a session on the intricacies of conducting environmental inspections. From understanding the basis and rationale for inspections to ensuring compliance with environmental standards, participants gained practical insights into enforcement procedures.

Environmental Enforcement and Field Operations: Building upon the foundational knowledge from previous sessions, participants explored the principles of environmental enforcement and learned how to design effective compliance strategies and enforcement programs. Mr. Victor Nahabwe, NEMA’s Senior Manager for Enforcement and Field Operations, guided discussions on translating regulatory mandates into actionable steps on the ground.

Waste Management, Urbanization, and Development: Engineer Dan Kiguli, NEMA’s Senior Environment Inspector, provided valuable insights into the intersections between waste management, urbanization, and development. Through case studies and best practices, participants examined the environmental challenges posed by rapid urbanization and explored sustainable waste management strategies.

Land Use and Wetlands Management: Ms. Lucy Iyango, the assistant commissioner of wetlands management from the Ministry of Water and Environment, led a session on the critical aspects of wetlands management. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the historical context, roles of local government, and regulatory frameworks governing wetlands management in Uganda.

Prosecution of Environmental Cases: Ms. Carol Omoro, NEMA’s senior legal officer, and Mr. Ochieng Yafesi, a grade on magistrate of Jinja town, provided insights into the roles of environmental inspectors in gathering evidence and ensuring successful prosecution of environmental cases. Through interactive discussions, participants learned about sentencing options and the importance of adherence to legal procedures.

By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications and facilitating discussions on emerging environmental challenges, NEMA’s weeklong training initiative served as a pivotal platform for enhancing environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance across Uganda. Armed with newfound knowledge and insights, the trained Environment Inspectors are poised to play a vital role in safeguarding the country’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development for generations to come.