The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) was established in May 1995 to oversee environmental management in Uganda. Under the National Environment Management Act, No. 5 of 2019, NEMA is tasked with coordinating, monitoring, regulating, and supervising environmental management across the country. The agency leads the development of environmental policies, laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines and advises the government on sound environmental management practices. NEMA’s vision is to ensure a clean, healthy, productive, and sustainable environment for Uganda. Its mission is to promote sound environmental practices for sustainable development.
NEMA operates under key values, including client focus, integrity, transparency, professional commitment, and innovation. It also emphasizes partnerships, cross-functional decision-making, and sustainable development as essential to its operations. The agency’s ultimate goal is to promote the prudent use of natural resources and sound environmental management throughout Uganda.
Headquartered at plots 17/19/21 Jinja Road, Kampala, NEMA’s strategic objectives include enhancing environmental compliance, integrating environmental practices at all government levels, increasing access to environmental information and public participation, strengthening NEMA’s institutional capacity, and fostering national, regional, and international partnerships for effective environmental management. NEMA’s functions involve environmental monitoring and assessment, developing regulatory frameworks, public awareness, research, and promoting sustainable development practices.
The current Board of Directors, inaugurated in May 2021, includes members such as Prof. James Okot-Okumu (Chairperson) and Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah. The Board ensures diverse representation, including officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
NEMA has multiple departments including Environmental Planning, Environmental Compliance, Enforcement, and Administration, all of which contribute to sustainable development. Its regional offices in Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara, Lira, Arua, and Kabale extend NEMA’s reach, providing local contact points for regulatory activities.
NEMA also addresses common inquiries regarding environmental management, such as the requirements for becoming an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) expert, the cost of licenses, prosecutable environmental crimes, and which projects require EIAs.