Enforcement is the set of actions governments or others take to compel or encourage compliance. Compliance occurs when requirements are met, when desired behaviors are achieved. Enforcement generally includes inspections to find information needed to determine compliance status and to identify violations and legal actions to impose some consequences for violating the law. Programs designed to achieve compliance may involve more than just enforcement, for example they may also include assistance and subsidies.

Components of an Enforcement Program

1. Creating requirements that are enforceable.
2. Knowing who is subject to the requirements and setting program priorities.
3. Promoting compliance in the regulated community.
4. Monitoring compliance.
5. Responding to violations.
6. Clarifying roles and responsibilities.
7. Evaluating the success of the program and holding program personnel accountable for its success.

NEMA as a body responsible for environmental management in Uganda has the Authority during environmental enforcement to;NEMA as a body responsible for environmental management in Uganda has the Authority during environmental enforcement to;

• Impose a schedule for compliance to all facilities whose activities are likely to cause adverse effect on the environment.
• Permanently shut down part of an operation of a facility that is seen to have irreversible impacts on the environment.
• Temporarily or permanently shut down certain parts of operations or practices of a facility
• Deny a permit for an activity likely to cause irreversible damage to the environment.
• Revoke a permit due to unanticipated impacts that may arise during the implementation or operation of a facility.
• Require a facility to clean up part of the environment
• Require monitoring and reporting by a facility
• Request information on industrial processes
• Require a facility to undergo an environmental audit