Uganda
Environment
The Government of the Uganda acceded to the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone
Layer on 24th June, 1988; the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 15th
September, 1988; the London Amendment in January 1994; and the Copenhagen and Montreal
Amendments in November, 1999. Uganda has not ratified the Beijing Amendment yet. A Country
Programme to phase-out ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) in Uganda was approved in
1994 by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund. Since then over US$ 700,000 have been
approved by the Committee for various ODS phase out activities in the country. UNEP is the
implementing agency for the Institutional Strengthening project; UNIDO is implementing an
investment project in the methyl bromide sector while GTZ-Proklima is carrying out activities in the
refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.
The National Environmental Management (Ozone Depleting Substances) Regulations which contains
a licensing system to control importation, exportation and consumption of ODS or related equipment
is in place and being fully implemented. Customs officers and other enforcement agencies have been
trained to implement the regulation. Refrigeration technicians have also been trained in good
refrigeration practices.
Uganda is a signatory to the UN Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Climate
variability, especially rainfall, is influenced by fluctuations in the Indian Ocean and by the Southern
Oscillations. In the last 50 years, western Uganda has had a great number of drier years than the rest
of the country.
Uganda’s land consists of 35% farmland, 21% grasslands, 20% forest/woodlands, 15% water bodies,
6% bush land and 3% commercial farms/urban areas. Settlement patterns vary, with land ranging
from densely populated to uninhabited, with land degradation worse in the more populated areas and
in the fragile, arid and semi-arid pastoral areas. Land degradation is influenced by the type of
ownership, utilization and management systems.
About 85% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Perennial crops are grown in
high rainfall areas (bananas and coffee, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, coco yams, beans).
Sugarcane and tea are mainly grown in large commercial estates. Primarily, Ugandans still largely
practice extensive agriculture, which invariably leads to land degradation.
Water and Sanitation
Though well endowed with freshwater, Uganda faces a looming water crisis, particularly in the arid
areas. It is estimated that Uganda needs to double the current availability of water to meet future
needs. Rapid population growth and increasing per capita usage has already made the demand for
water a problem. The quality of surface water has been deteriorating. Lake Victoria is being heavily
polluted by both domestic and industrial discharge and by agricultural runoff.
Ozone
The Government of the Uganda acceded to the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone
Layer on 24th June, 1988; the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 15th
September, 1988; the London Amendment in January 1994; and the Copenhagen and Montreal
Amendments in November, 1999. Uganda has not ratified the Beijing Amendment yet. A Country
Programme to phase-out ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) in Uganda was approved in
1994 by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund. Since then over US$ 700,000 have been
UNEP Regional Office for Africa – Nov 2008
approved by the Committee for various ODS phase out activities in the country. UNEP is the
implementing agency for the Institutional Strengthening project; UNIDO is implementing an
investment project in the methyl bromide sector while GTZ-Proklima is carrying out activities in the
refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.
The National Environmental Management (Ozone Depleting Substances) Regulations which contains
a licensing system to control importation, exportation and consumption of ODS or related equipment
is in place and being fully implemented. Customs officers and other enforcement agencies have been
trained to implement the regulation. Refrigeration technicians have also been trained in good
refrigeration practices.
Climate
Uganda is a signatory to the UN Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Climate
variability, especially rainfall, is influenced by fluctuations in the Indian Ocean and by the Southern
Oscillations. In the last 50 years, western Uganda has had a great number of drier years than the rest
of the country.
Forests
Forests and woodlands cover about 4.9 million ha or 24% of the total land area, of which about 19%
is tropical forest. Of the total, 70% is on private or customary land with 547,485 ha of natural forests
on government land. The forest department manages the 15% of forests under the Central Forest
Reserves, while the other, not in private land, is in national parks and wildlife reserves, managed by
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The Forestry Policy (2001) provides for sustainable management of
natural forests on private land.
Energy
Uganda meets 93% of its energy needs from biomass, mostly derived from natural forests and
woodlands. About 80% of this is for domestic use, largely as firewood. Other energy sources include
photovoltaic solar, solar thermal, geothermal, biogas and biodiesel.
Freshwater issues
Though well endowed with freshwater, Uganda faces a looming water crisis, particularly in the arid
areas. It is estimated that Uganda needs to double the current availability of water to meet future
needs. Rapid population growth and increasing per capita usage has already made the demand for
water a problem. The quality of surface water has been deteriorating. Lake Victoria is being heavily
polluted by both domestic and industrial discharge and by agricultural runoff.
Biodiversity
On a global scale, Uganda has exceptional biodiversity for its size. More than 18, 783 species have
been recorded in Uganda. Biodiversity hotspots include Sango Bay, the Albertine Rift Area (the most
important area for bird endemism in Africa). There are 90 types of vegetation community, but little is
undisturbed. There are 300 endemic fish species, over 30 indigenous plant species are endangered,
30 are rare and 10 are vulnerable. Biodiversity is estimated to contribute over US$1,000 million per
year to the national economy. Uganda has a range of legislation and policy to protect biodiversity.
Land
Uganda’s land consists of 35% farmland, 21% grasslands, 20% forest/woodlands, 15% water bodies,
6% bush land and 3% commercial farms/urban areas. Settlement patterns vary, with land ranging
from densely populated to uninhabited, with land degradation worse in the more populated areas and
in the fragile, arid and semi-arid pastoral areas. Land degradation is influenced by the type of
ownership, utilization and management systems.
UNEP Regional Office for Africa – May 2008
Agriculture
About 85% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Perennial crops are grown in
high rainfall areas (bananas and coffee, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, coco yams, beans).
Sugarcane and tea are mainly grown in large commercial estates. Primarily, Ugandans still largely
practice extensive agriculture, which invariably leads to land degradation.
Natural Resources
Forests and woodlands cover about 4.9 million ha or 24% of the total land area, of which about 19%
is tropical forest. Of the total, 70% is on private or customary land with 547,485 ha of natural forests
on government land. The forest department manages the 15% of forests under the Central Forest
Reserves, while the other, not in private land, is in national parks and wildlife reserves, managed by
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The Forestry Policy (2001) provides for sustainable management of
natural forests on private land.
UNEP Regional Office for Africa – May 2008