An Examination of the Framework for Protection of the Environment in Uganda

Table of contents

Declaration ................................................................................................................................. ii

Approval ................................................................................................................................... iii

Dedication ................................................................................................................................. iv

Acknowledgement ....................................................................................................................... v

Table of contents ....................................................................................................................... vi

List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. ix

List of cases ................................................................................................................................ x

List of National Legislation ....................................................................................................... xi

Abstract .................................................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................................... l3

INTRODUCTION OF TI-lE STUDY ........................................................................................ 13

I. I Background ........................................................................................................................ 13

1.2 Statement of the problem .................................................................................................... 14

1.3 Objectives of the study ........................................................................................................ 14

1.4 Specific objectives of the study ........................................................................................... 14

1.5 Research questions .............................................................................................................. 14

1.6 Scope of the study ............................................................................................................... 15

1.7 Significance ofthc study ..................................................................................................... 15

1.8 Review of related literature ................................................................................................. 15

1.9 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 18

CHAPTER TW0 ...................................................................................................................... 19

INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN UGANDA

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2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 19

2.1 The concept of environmental law ...................................................................................... 19

2.2. History and Evolution of Environmental Law .................................................................... 20

2.3 The Period of Industrial Revolution .................................................................................... 21

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2.4 Functions of Environmental Laws ....................................................................................... 22

2.5 Common law principles and their application in environmental law .................................... 22

2.5.1 The following are tort action that can be applied in environmental law ............................ 23

2.5.2 Contributions of common law actions to environmental protection .................................. 26

2.5.3 Limitations of common law actions in environmental protection ...................................... 26

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................. 27

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADAPTATION MEASURES UNDER THE

INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL LEGAL POLICY ON THE ENVIRONMENT .................. 27

3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 27

3.1 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ......................................... 27

3.2 The Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC ................................................................................... 30

3.3 The National Environment Management Policy (NEMP), 1994 in Uganda ......................... 32

3.4 Uganda Forestry Policy 2002 .............................................................................................. 34

3.5 The National Energy Policy, 2002 ...................................................................................... 35

3.6 The Renewable Energy Policy for Uganda .......................................................................... 36

3.7 Implementation ofCDM Projects in Uganda and their!mplications for Climate Change

Adaptation ................................................................................................................................ 3 8

CllAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................................... 40

UGANDAN POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................. 40

4.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 40

4.1 Uganda's policy analysis on environment ........................................................................... 40

4.1.1 The National Environment Management Policy ............................................................... 40

4.1.2 The National policy for Conservation and Management of Wetland Resources, 1995 ...... 41

4.1.3 The National Water Policy of 1995 .................................................................................. 42

4.1.4 The Wildlife policy, 1999 ................................................................................................ 43

4.1.5 The Uganda Fisheries Policy, 2004 .................................................................................. 43

4.1.6 The Uganda Forestry Policy, 2001 ................................................................................... 43

4.2 Environmental Legislative Framework in Uganda ............................................................... 44

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4.2.1 The 1995 Constitution ofUganda ..................................................................................... 44

4.2.2 The Land Act Cap 227 ..................................................................................................... 46

4.3 The Concept of a Framework environmental Legislation .................................................... 46

4.3. I Sectoral Environmental Legislation in Uganda ................................................................. 46

4.4 Institutional Framework for Environmental Management in Uganda ................................... 48

4.4. I The Role of Central Government ..................................................................................... 48

4.4.2 The Role of Parliament .................................................................................................... 49

4.4.3 The Role of Courts ........................................................................................................... 49

4.4.4 The Role of Civil Society ................................................................................................. 50

4.4.5 The Role of the Public ..................................................................................................... 50

4.5 Tools to enforcing environmental Law ................................................................................ 50

4.5. I Public Interest Litigation .................................................................................................. 50

4.5.2 Environmental Impact Assessment.. ................................................................................. 53

4.5.2 Environmental Monitoring ............................................................................................... 54

4.5.3 Environmental Reporting ................................................................................................. 54

4.5.4 Environmental Judicial Remedies .................................................................................... 55

4.6 Review ............................................................................................................................... 57

CHAPTER FIVE ...................................................................................................................... 58

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................. 58

5. I General Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 58

5.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 59

REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 62