ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND THE LAW IN UGANDA THE EXPERIENCE SINCE 1995.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

APPROV AI, ................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................. v

LIST OF STATUTES ................................................................................................................... vii

TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................................................................... viii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... I

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... I

1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1 General objective ................................................................................................................... 5

1.3.2 The Specific Objectives of the study are: .............................................................................. 5

1.4 Research questions .................................................................................................................... 6

1.5 Hypothesis ................................................................................................................................. 6

1.6 Significance of the study ........................................................................................................... 6

1.7 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 7

1.8 Limitations and assumptions of the study ................................................................................. 7

1.9 Literature review ....................................................................................................................... 8

1.9.1 EIA as a contributor to sustainability ................................................................................... 12

1.20 Chapter synopsis ................................................................................................................... 16

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 17

THE LEGAL STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PROCESS IN UGANDA...................................................................... 17

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 17

2.1 Ugandan Policy and Legal Frameworks ................................................................................. 18

2.1.1 National Environment Act No.5 of2019 .......................................................................... 18

2. 1.2. 1 Environmental Restoration orders .................................................................................... 20

2.1.3 The Environment Impact Assessment Regulations, No. 13 of 1998 ................................... 20

2.1.4 The National Environment (Wetlands. Riverbanks and Lake-Shore Management) Regulations, No.3 of 2000............................................... 21

2.1.5 The National Environment (Waste Management Regulations),No.52 of 1999 ................... 22

2.1.6 The Water Act, No.9 of 1995 ............................................................................................... 22

2.1.7 The Wildlife Act (No. 14, 1996) .......................................................................................... 23

2.1.8 The Land Act, 1998 ............................................................................................................. 23

2.1. 9 The Investment Code, No. 18 of 1987 ................................................................................. 24

2.1.1 0 The Wetlands Policy, 1995 ................................................................................................ 24

2.2 Analysis of the International Legal Framework ..................................................................... 25

2.2.0 Stockholm Declaration ( 1972) ............................................................................................. 25

2.2.2 Rio Declarationl992 ............................................................................................................ 27

2.2.3 Aarhus Convention 1998 ..................................................................................................... 33

2.2.4 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ....................... 37

2.3 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 38

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 40

THE EFFICACY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMI'ACT ASSESSMENT LAWS IN UGANDA ................................................................................ 40

3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 40

3.1 Understanding EIA ................................................................................................................. 40

3.3 Stages in EIA .......................................................................................................................... 41

3.3 .I Preparation of project briefs ................................................................................................. 42

3.3.2 Environmental Impact Study ............................................................................................... 42

3.3.3 Decision-making .................................................................................................................. 43

3.3.4 Public Participation in the EIA Process ............................................................................... 44

3.3.5 Relevance of Public Participation in the EIA Process ......................................................... 45

3.3.6 Constraints to Public Participation in EIA ........................................................................... 47

3.4 Effectiveness ofEIA in Uganda ............................................................................................. 48

3.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 51

CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 52

CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN UGANDA .............................................................. 52

4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 52

4.2 Challenges ............................................................................................................................... 52

4.3 The Developers' Commitment to Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring ....................... 53

4.4 The Performance of Monitoring and Enforcement Authorities .............................................. 54

4.5 The Quality of the EIA ........................................................................................................... 55

4.6 Environmental Management Tools ......................................................................................... 56

4.7 Legal Action ............................................................................................................................ 57

4.8 Public Awareness and Civil Society Advocacy ...................................................................... 57

4. 9 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 59

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 60

CONCLUSION,RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS ................................................. 60

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 60

5.1 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 60

5.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 63

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 64

ABSTRACT 

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an instrument used to limit unexpected and negative effects of proposed developments on the enviromnent. Much experience has been gained internationally but the lack of follow-up after the EIA is prepared as one of the major weak spots of the assessments. It is therefore very important to follow up on development projects and observe their effects on the environment after the go-ahead has been given, so that the EIA quality may be improved. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was recognized in Uganda as a tool of environment management back in 1995 when the National Environment Statute (now Act Cap 153) was enacted. The Act called for EIA to examine all development activities likely to negatively impact on the environment before they are implemented. However, despite EIA being carried out on most development projects. it is uncommon for developers of projects to use the EIA reports as a basis for environmentally sound implementation of their projects. This study employed a doctrinal methodology of Research to find out the laws that are in place to favour Environmental Impact Assessment in the Uganda legal system. the study fi.nther discusses the application and enforcement of the principal of EIA by the mandated bodies and the challenges faced by the bodies in the application and enforcement of EIA in Uganda and finally the Researcher suggests the Recommendations to be adopted for better application and enforcement ofEIA in Uganda.