The Examination of the Legal Regime On Environmental Sustainability in Uganda

ABSTRACT The study was conducted basing on an Examination of the legal regime on environmental sustainability in Uganda. lt was based on five chapters where chapter one examined the introduction, background of the study, problem statement, objectives of study, research questions, scope of the study, literature review and the methodology that was used to conduct the study, two examined the causes and effects of environmental degradation in Uganda. Chapter three examined the legal framework in regulation of environmental sustainability in Uganda. Chapter four provided for the international and regional frameworks in regulation of env ironmental· sustainability . Chapter fi ve provided for recommendations and conclusions in regard to environmental management in Uganda. The study used a doctrinal research method as opposed to empirical and it was conducted using written sources such as text books, j ournals, reports, articles, legislations, internet sources on the subject as well as case laws. The study found out that the causes of environmental degradation are many ranging from the lack o f adequate enforcement personnel at all levels. There has also been a problem of wetland fi lling during holidays and awkward hours "vhen those dumping probably have full knowledge that enforcement arc on duty. It was also found out from the study that the Constitution, being the supreme law in Uganda, provides for environmental protection and conservation through the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 237, Article 39 and Article 245. Tt was found out that international instruments include United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which Uganda is signatory to, The Commission on Human Rights (now transformed into the Human Rights Council), Aft·ican (Banju l) Charter on I Iuman and Peoples' Rights. This study shows that, despite the fact that Uganda has a number of laws and policies geared towards environment sustainabil ity. natural resources in particular water catchments continue to be encroached upon. The study recommended the Government of Uganda through cooperation with relevant international organizations and industry, where appropriate, should promote exchange of information on national and regional activities to reduce the ri sks of toxic chem icals and cooperate in the development of communication guidelines on chemical risks at the national level to promote information exchange with the public and the understand ing of risks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECJ,ARATION ............................................................................................................. i

APPROVAl, ................................................................................................................... ii

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

ACKNOWI,!WGEMI•:NT ............................................................................................ iv

J,IST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................. v

J,IST OF STATUTES ................................................................................................... vi

TABJ,E OF CASES ...................................................................................................... vii

TABJ,E OF CONT!,NTS .............................................................................................. ix

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

CJ!APTER ON!•:: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 1

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

1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................ I

1.2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................. •1

Iii Objectives of the Study .............................................................................................. •I

1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................ : ...................

1.6 Scope of the Study ..................................................................................................... •I

1.7 Signilicancc of the Study .......................................................................................... 5

1.8 Methodology oft he Study .......................................................................................... 5

1.9 Literature Review ....................................................................................................... (,

1.10 Chapterization of the study ...................................................................................... 9

CHAPTER TWO: CAUSicS AND lCFFl,C'l'S OF ENVIRONMENTAL

Dl•:GRADATION IN UGANDA ................................................................................. 10

2.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. I 0

2.1 Causes of' environmental degradation ...................................................................... I 0

2.2 Errects environmental degradation in Uganda .......................................................... 17

CHAPTER TIIR!m: LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN REGULATION OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN UGANDA ........................................ 21

3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 21

3.1 Laws governing environmental sustainability in Uganda ........................................ 21

IX

3.1.1 The 1995 Constitution of" the republic or Uganda ................................................. 21

3.1.2 The Uganda Wildlirc Act 1996 ............................................................................. :?.2

3.1.3 The National I~nvironmcnt Jct Cap 153 ............................................................... 23

3.1.'1 The Penal Code Act cap 120 ................................................................................. 27

3.1.5 The National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations ............................ 28

3.1.6 The National Environment (Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places)

R.cgulations, .................................................................................................................... 28

3.1. 7 The National V•/atcr and Sewerage Corporation Act.. ........................................... 28

3.2 Institutional framework for environmental sustainability in Ugandn ...................... 29

3.2.1 Government Ministries .......................................................................................... 29

3.2.2 Government Agencies ........................................................................................... 30

CIIAPTIW. FOUR: INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FRAMEWORKS IN

REGUI.ATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAIN ABILITY ............................. 35

11.1. Regulation of environmental sustainability on an international basis .................... 35

11.1.1 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ............ 35

11.1.2 African (Banjul) Charter on Iluman and Peoples' Rights (1981/1986) ................ 37

tl.2 Regulation or environmental sustainability on a regional basis ............................... 38

t1.2.1 Laws governing environmental management in Kenya ........................................ .18

11.2.1.1 Environmental Management and Co-ordination ict 8 of 1999 ....... .' ................. 38

11.2.1.2 The Environmental Management and Co-Ordination (Water Quality)

Regulations, 2006 ........................................................................................................... 39

11.2.1.3 The Penal Code, Cap 63 ..................................................................................... J'J

11.2.2 Laws governing environmental management in Tanzania .................................... rl~

'1.2.2.1 Environment Management ict, 200!) ................................................................ '12

11.3 Relatedness of the regional laws in regard to environmental sustainability with

lJgancla ........................................................................................................................... rl/1

CHAPTER FIVE: RlcCOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS IN REGARD

TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN UGANDA ..................................... -16

5.1 Summary of Findings .............................................................................. · ................. /16

5.1.1 Causes and Effects of Environmental Degradation in Ugancla ............................. t16

5.1 .2 Legal Framework in Regulation of Environmental Sustainability in Uganda ...... ,16

5.1.3 International and Regional Frameworks in Regulation or Environmental

S ustainab i I ity .................................................................................................................. .-17

5.2 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. ll7

5.3 r:tccOil1111Cildations .................................................................................................... 117

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 50