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The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is a semi-autonomous institution, established in May 1995, as the principal agency in Uganda, charged with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring, regulating and supervising environmental management in the country. NEMA spearheads the development of environmental policies, laws, regulations, standards and guidelines; and guides Government on sound environment management in Uganda. In doing this, NEMA contributes to social-economic development and wise use of natural resources, focusing on providing support to Government’s main goal of ensuring sustainable development contributing to the National Vision, the National Development Plan (NDP), regional and global commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a regulatory agency, the authority of NEMA is embedded in the National Environment Act Cap 181.
Mandate
NEMA is the principal agency in Uganda for regulating, monitoring, supervising and coordinating all activities relating to the environment.
“An Efficient Agency, with People in Uganda living in a Clean, Healthy, Productive and Sustainable Environment.”
“To promote and ensure sound environment management practices for sustainable development.”
“Promote ecological integrity and sustainable use of the environment”.
“Sustainable Environment Management for Socio-Economic Transformation”.
NEMA’s Statutory Functions Section 9 (2) of the NEA Cap 181 provides for the statutory functions of NEMA, which are to:
NEMA advises the Government on regional and international environmental matters, such as conventions, treaties and agreements to which Uganda should be a party and follow up the implementation of such agreements where Uganda is a party and the Minister on legislative proposals and standards on the environment. Also advises the minister on the harmonisation of policies of Government with respect to the environment and natural resources including other duties as stipulated by the NEA cap 181.
The Authority has the power to direct a lead agency to perform, within such time and in such manner as it shall specify, any of the duties imposed upon the lead agency in the field of environment. The authority also coordinates lead agencies in their preparedness and response to environmental emergencies or disasters including other duties as stipulated by the NEA cap 181.
The Authority may work in collaboration with other non-state actors such as financial, educational and health institutions to— (a) gather, document, evaluate and disseminate information on the environment and natural resources, including associated indigenous knowledge and practices; (b) carry out public education and awareness on the environment; (c) foster environmental information exchange with other ministries, departments, agencies of government, foreign agencies, international and nongovernmental agencies.
