Water policy development in
Uganda
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya
Commissioner, Water Resources Regulation
Ministry of Water and Environment
Presentation made during the Water is Life project workshop,
3rd November 2010, Makerere University, Kampala
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Legal and policy framework for the
water sector in Uganda
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Constitution (1995)- Government recognizes the role
of water in the development of Uganda
National Water Policy (1999)- Water is considered as
a social and economic good
Water Act (1995)- the rational management and use
of the waters of Uganda
Environmental Act (1995)- Sustainable
environmental management
Relevant regulations (1998)
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National Water Policy
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Developed under 2 distinct categories
Water Resources Management (covering policy
objectives, principles and strategies for monitoring,
assessment, allocation and protection of the resource
and management framework)
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Water Development and use (covering policy
objectives, principles and strategies for the development
and use of water for domestic water supply, water for
agricultural production, and other water uses including
industry, hydropower, recreation and ecosystem needs)
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National Water Policy provides for:
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Separation of regulatory powers from user
interests
Integrated and sustainable development,
management and use of water resources with full
participation of all stakeholders
Regulated use of all water other than for domestic
use
Sustainable provision of clean safe water
Development and efficient use of water in
agriculture
Improved collaboration and coordination among
stakeholders
Equitable access and use of the Nile waters
(transboundary water resource)
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NWP (cont.)
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Promotion of awareness of water management and
development issues and capacity building
Promotion of rational, optimal and wise use of the resource
for all Ugandans and all sectors
Promotion of measures for control of pollution of water
resources
Promotion of the gathering and maintenance of reliable
water resources information and databases
Promotion of viable management options for the resource
management and provision of water supply and sanitation
services
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NWP objective for WRM
To manage and develop the water resources of
Uganda in an integrated and sustainable manner, so
as to secure and provide water of adequate quantity
and quality for all social and economic needs of the
present and future generations with the full
participation of the stakeholders
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Strategies for WRM
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Establishment of an enabling environment
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Development of appropriate institutional framework
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Planning and prioritization of water use (policy making,
planning and coordination of water resources use; regulation
of water abstraction and waste water discharge; enforcement
of water legislation and policy; mediation in water conflicts)
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Data collection and data dissemination (water
resources monitoring; assessment; forecasting)
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Capacity building
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NWP objective for domestic water
supply
Sustainable provision of safe water within easy reach
and hygienic sanitation facilities, based on
management responsibility and ownership by the
users, to 75% of the population in rural areas and
100% of the urban population the year 2015 with an
80%-90% effective use and functionality of facilities
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Strategies for domestic water supply
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Identification of appropriate low cost technologies
and provision of services
Identification of appropriate financing mechanisms
and promotion of investment subsidies and tarrifs
Promotion of management and sustainability
aspects
Promotion of private sector participation
Promotion of coordination and collaboration among
stakeholders
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Relevance of Water is Life Project to
the National Water Policy
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Project contributes to implementation of various
strategies under the NWP
Contributes to promotion of management and
sustainability aspects as well as improving water
resources management planning and regulatory
framework (ref: adaptation of water management to CC,
gender and WRM, conflict and cooperation on water
governance)
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Contributes to identification of appropriate low cost
technologies and provision of water and sanitation
services (ref: sourcing of sustainable groundwater supplies,
sustainable pump technologies, solar disinfection of drinking
water)
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Contributes to capacity building for the sector
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Conclusions
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Water policy development in Uganda is an ongoing
process
Water policy is currently undergoing review to make it
responsive to emerging issues and challenges
Water is Life project is directly relevant to the Water
policy in Uganda
Results of the project will be useful in influencing
further policy development in the sector
Dialogue between the project and the sector should
continue in order to ensure that the project results are
addressed as appropriate
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