Uganda National Environment Act, 2019

Act
ACTS
5 The National Environment Act 2019
SUPPLEMENT No. 2 7th March, 2019
ACTS SUPPLEMENT
to The Uganda Gazette No. 10, Volume CXII, dated 7th March, 2019
Printed by UPPC, Entebbe, by Order of the Government.
Act 5 The National Environment Act 2019

THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ACT, 2019
Section
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Part I—Preliminary.
1. Commencement.
2. Interpretation.
3. Right to a decent environment.
4. Rights of nature.
5. Principles of environment management.
Part II—Institutional Arrangements.
Policy Committee on Environment.
6. Policy Committee on Environment.
The Minister.
7. Functions of the Minister.
National Environment Management Authority.

8. Continuation of National Environment Management Authority.
9. Mandate and functions of the Authority.
10. Power of the Authority over lead agencies.
11. Functions of a lead agency.
Board of the Authority.
12. Board.
13. Disqualification from appointment to the Board.
14. Tenure of office of Board members.
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Section
15. Functions of the Board.
16. Termination of appointment to the Board.
17. Filling of vacancies on the Board.
18. Remuneration of Board members.
19. Meetings of the Board.
20. Delegation of functions of the Board.
Technical Committees.
21. Appointment of technical committees.
Staff of the Authority.
22. Executive Director.

23. Functions of Executive Director.
24. Other staff of the Authority.
25. Environment Protection Force.
Urban and District Structures for Environmental Management.
26. Environmental management by urban and district councils.

27. District environment and natural resources committee.
28. Functions of district environment and natural resources
committees.
29. Natural resources conditional grant.
30. Environment officer.
Part III—Funds of the Authorty and

the National Environment Fund
31. Funds of the Authority.

32. Continuation of the National Environment Fund.
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Section
33. Administration of the National Environment Fund.
34. Power to open and operate bank accounts.
35. Powers to borrow.
36. Estimates.
37. Financial year of the Authority.
38. Accounts.
39. Audit.
40. Annual report.
41. Duty to operate on sound financial principles.
42. Powers of the Minister responsible for finance in relation to
taxation.
43. Compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, 2015.
Part IV—Environmental Planning.
44. Environmental planning at the national level.

45. Environmental planning by lead agencies.
46. State of environment report.
47. Strategic environmental assessment.
48. Land use planning.
49. Environment management systems.
Part V—Management of the Green Environment

50. Scope of this Part.
Special Conservation Areas

51. Declaration of special conservation areas.
Environmental Management of Lakes, Rivers and Natural Beaches.

52. Restrictions on the use of lakes and rivers.
53. Protection of riverbanks, lakeshores and natural beaches.
Management and Utilisation of Wetlands
54. Management of wetlands.

55. Restrictions on the use of wetlands.
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Management of Hilly and Mountainous Areas
56. Identification of hilly and mountainous areas.
57. Restoration, reforestation and afforestation of hilly and
mountainous areas.
58. Sustainable use of hilly and mountainous areas.
Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity

59. Conservation of biological diversity.
60. Conservation of biological resources in situ.
61. Conservation of biological resources ex situ.
62. Access to the genetic resources of Uganda.
63. Management of genetically modified organisms.
64. Management of forests.
65. Conservation of energy.
66. Management of rangelands.
67. Payment for ecosystem services.
68. Protection of cultural and natural heritage.
69. Management of climate change impacts on ecosystems.
Part VI—Sound Management of Chemicals

and Product Control
70. Prohibition or restriction on import, export, manufacture,

formulation, distribution and use of hazardous chemicals.
71. Management of hazardous chemicals and products containing
hazardous chemicals.
72. Registration of hazardous chemicals.
73. Licence to deal in hazardous chemicals or products containing
hazardous chemicals.
74. Management of products containing mercury.
75. Management of ozone depleting substances and products.
76. Management of plastics and plastic products.
77. Use of circulative resources.
Part VII—Control of Pollution and

Environmental Emergency Preparedness
78. Prohibition of pollution.
79. Measures to take in event of pollution.
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80. Polluter’s liability.
81. Pollution control licences.
82. Application for a pollution control licence.
83. Consideration of the application by committee.
84. Conditions in pollution control licence.
85. Fees for pollution control licence.
86. Renewal of pollution control licence.
87. Cancellation of pollution control licence.
88. Register of pollution control licences.
Acute Pollution and Emergency Preparedness

and Response System.
89. Duty to have emergency response system against acute pollution.

90. Notification of acute pollution.
91. Response to acute pollution.
92. National and lead agency emergency preparedness and response
systems, contingency plans and other plans.
93. National Oil Spill Contingency Preparedness and Response.
94. Duty to provide assistance in case of acute pollution.
95. Preparedness for environmental emergencies and disasters.
Part VIII—Management of Waste
96. Duty to manage waste.

97. Prohibition of littering.
98. Extended producer responsibility and product stewardship.
99. General prohibition on import and export of waste.
100. Licence to export waste.
101. Transboundary movement of waste.
102. Classification and management of hazardous waste.
Part IX—Establishment of Environmental Standards

103. Air quality standards.
104. Standards for the control of noxious smells.
105. Standards for effluent discharge.
106. Standards for the control of the effects of vibration and pollution
caused by noise.
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107. Soil quality standards.
108. Standards for minimisation of radiation.
109. Other standards and procedures.
Part X—Environmental and Social Assessment

110. Purpose of environmental and social impact assessment.
111. Responsibility of developer.
112. Projects for which project briefs are required.
113. Categorisation of projects for purposes of environmental and
social impact assessment.
114. Environmental risk assessment.
115. Mitigation hierarchy, biodiversity or other offset and compensation
mechanisms.
116. Decommissioning of projects.
Part XI—Environmental Easements

117. Environmental easements.
118. Application for an environmental easement.
119. Grant of environmental easements.
120. Registration of an environmental easement.
121. Enforcement of environmental easements.
Part XII—Environmental Compliance

and Enforcement
122. Environmental and compliance monitoring.

123. Laboratory analysis.
124. Designation of analytical laboratories and reference laboratories.
125. Certificate of laboratory analysis.
126. Environmental audit.
127. Designation of environmental inspectors.
128. Powers and duties of environmental inspectors.
129. Power to issue environmental notices and orders.
130. Environmental restoration orders.
131. Service of and compliance with environmental restoration order.
132. Review of environmental restoration order.
133. Action by Authority or authorised officer on environmental
restoration orders.
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134. Issue of environmental restoration orders by court.
135. Environmental improvement notices and environmental
compliance notices.
136. Power to arrest.
137. Search warrants.
138. Power to seize.
139. Seals of the Authority.
140. Review and appeals from decisions of Authority.
Financial Security.
141. Financial security.
Part XIII—Judicial Proceedings

142. Immunity of officials.
143. Forfeiture, cancellation of permits, community service and other
orders.
144. Power of court to order compensation.
145. Further powers of court.
Part XIV—Environmental information

and Literacy
146. Right of access to environmental information.

147. Management of environmental information.
148. Integration of environmental education into educational
curricula and programmes.
149. National environment day.
Part XV—International Obligations

150. Assessment of environmental implications of a treaty.
151. Cooperation on environmental management.
Part Xvi—Offences, Penalties, Fees,

Fines and Other Charges
152. Conflict of interest.
153. Offences committed by body corporate.
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154. Bribing an officer.
155. Obstruction of environmental inspector or authorised officer.
156. Impersonation of environmental inspector or authorised officer.
157. Offences relating environmental and social impact assessments
and environmental risk assessments.
158. Failure to establish environmental management system.
159. Seizures.
160. Removing or defacing Authority’s seals.
161. Unlawful dealings in hazardous chemicals.
162. Illegal management of waste.
163. Pollution.
164. Failure to comply with orders, notices and environmental
easements.
165. Failure to comply with environmental standards.
166. Failure to keep records, reports and other documentation.
167. Alerting offender.
168. Conspiracy to commit an offence.
169. Continuing or subsequent offences.
170. General penalty.
Administrative Fees, Fines, Penalties and Charges.

171. Fees, fines, penalties and charges.
172. Administrative fines.
173. Coercive fine.
174. Express penalty.
175. Cancellation of approvals granted under this Act.
Part XVII—General Provisions

176. Record keeping.
177. Submission of annual report to Authority.
178. Service of documents.
179. Regulations.
180. Supremacy of this Act.
181. Amendment of Schedules.
182. Repeal and savings.
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THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ACT, 2019.

An Act to repeal, replace and reform the law relating to environmental
management in Uganda; to provide for the management of the
environment for sustainable development; to continue the National
Environment Management Authority as a coordinating, monitoring,
regulatory and supervisory body for all activities relating to
environment; to provide for emerging environmental issues
including climate change, the management of hazardous chemicals
and biodiversity offsets; to provide for strategic environmental
assessment; to address environmental concerns arising out of
petroleum activities and midstream operations, to provide for
the management of plastics and plastic products; to establish
the Environmental Protection Force; to provide for enhanced
penalties for offences under the Act; to provide for procedural and
administrative matters; and for related matters.
Date of Assent: 24th February, 2019.
Date of Commencement: See section 1
Be it enacted by Parliament as follows:
Part I—Preliminary.
1. Commencement.
This Act shall come into force on a date to be appointed by the Minister
by statutory instrument, and different dates may be appointed for the
commencement of different provisions.
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2. Interpretation.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“acute pollution” means significant pollution that occurs
suddenly and demands immediate response to protect
human health and the environment;
“air quality” means the state of the air, including concentration
of pollutants in the atmosphere at the point of measurement;
“ambient air” means the outdoor air to which human beings,
plants, animals or material are exposed, typically measured
near ground level, away from direct sources of pollution
but does not include the atmosphere within a structure or
within any underground space;
“Authority” means the National Environment Management
Authority continued under section 8 of this Act;
“authorised officer” means an officer of the Authority or any
other person authorised to act on behalf of the Authority
under this Act;
“best available techniques” means the most effective and
advanced stage in the development of activities and
the methods of operation which indicate the practical
suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis
for preventing or reducing the negative impact of a project
on human health or the environment;
“biodiversity offsets” means measurable conservation
outcomes resulting from actions designed to compensate
for significant residual adverse biodiversity impacts
arising from project development and persisting after
appropriate prevention and mitigation measures have been
implemented;
“biological diversity” means the variability among living
organisms from all sources, including terrestrial ecosystems,
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aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which
they are part such as diversity within species, between
species and of ecosystems;
“climate change” means a change of climate which is attributed
directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the
composition of the global atmosphere and which is in
addition to natural climate variability observed over
comparable time periods;
“critical habitats” means areas with high biodiversity value
essential for conservation, including habitats of significant
importance to critically endangered or endangered species,
habitats of significant importance to endemic or restricted-
range species, habitats supporting globally significant
concentrations of migratory species or congregation
of species, particularly of vulnerable species, highly
threatened or unique ecosystems and areas associated with
key evolutionary processes;
“currency point” has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this
Act;
“decommissioning” means the process of safely ceasing
operations resulting in complete or part removal or
substantial change in use of a facility or permanently
disposing or abandoning a facility or operation in a manner
that is not deleterious to human health or the environment;
“developer” means a person who proposes to undertake a
new project or to rehabilitate, repair, extend, maintain or
operate an existing project with potential effects on the
environment;
“economic instruments” means policy options that affect costs
and benefits of alternative actions by internalising external
costs at source, with the effect of influencing behavior in a
manner that is favorable to the environment;
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“ecosystem services” are the direct and indirect economic, social
and environmental benefits obtained from the correct
functioning of ecosystems, including watershed regulation,
maintenance of biodiversity and carbon sequestration, for
human well-being;
“effluent” means liquid, including agricultural, domestic
and industrial wastewater, discharged either treated or
untreated, directly or indirectly into the environment;
“environment” means—
(a) the physical factors of the surroundings of human
beings, including land, water, air, atmosphere, climate,
sound, odour and taste;
(b) the biological factors of animals and plants; and
(c) the social factors of aesthetics, health, safety and
wellbeing of people,
and includes human interaction with both the natural and
the built environment;
“environment management” includes the protection,
conservation and sustainable use of the various elements
or components of the environment;
“environment officer” includes an officer appointed or
employed by a ministry, department, agency of government
or local government to perform the functions specified in
section 30;
“environmental audit” means a systematic, documented, periodic
evaluation used to determine how well specified projects
or an organisation’s management system, facilities and
equipment are performing in conserving the environment
and its resources and conform to the requirements of this
Act and any other applicable law;
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“environmental emergencies” means sudden on-set disasters or
incidents resulting from natural, technological or human-
induced factors or a combination of these factors that cause
or are likely to cause significant environmental damage or
loss of human life and property;
“environmental and social assessment” means a procedure that
ensures that the environmental and social impacts, risks or
other concerns of a given project are taken into account in
approving a project for implementation;
“environmental and social impact assessment” means an
analytical process that systematically examines the likely
environmental and social impacts of a proposed project,
evaluates alternatives and designs appropriate mitigation,
management and monitoring measures, taking into account
interrelated socio-economic, cultural and human health
impacts, both beneficial and adverse;
“environmental inspector” means a person designated as an
environmental inspector under section 127;
“environmental practitioner” means an environmental auditor
or an environmental impact assessor and any person
certified and registered by the Authority to conduct
environmental and social assessments, studies or
environmental audits;
“environmental risk assessment” means a systematic process
for identifying and estimating the likelihood or probability
of an adverse or hazardous outcome or event and its
consequence on human health or the environment;
“environmental standards” means standards produced or
adopted by the Authority in consultation with the Uganda
National Bureau of Standards for use in Uganda;
“Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the
Authority appointed under section 22;
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“ex situ” means conservation outside the natural habitat of the
biological organism;
“flaring” means the combustion of hydrocarbons without the
application of the resulting heat or gases for any useful
purpose;
“fragile ecosystem” means important ecosystems, with unique
features and resources and include deserts, semi–arid lands,
mountains, wetlands, small islands and coastal areas;
“genetically modified organism” means an organism or a
product consisting of or including such organisms where
any of the genes or other genetic material in the organism—
(a) have been modified by means of modern
biotechnology; or
(b) are inherited or otherwise derived, through any
number of replications, from genes or other genetic
material which were so modified;
“genetic resources” means genetic material of actual or potential
value;
“in situ” means conservation within the natural ecosystem and
habitat of the biological organism;
“lead agency” means a ministry, department, agency, local
government or public officer in which or in whom the
functions of control or management of any segment of the
environment are vested;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for the environment;
“natural beach” means a naturally occurring landform alongside
a water body which consists of loose particles, typically
made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or
cobblestones: the particles can also be biological in origin,
such as mollusc shells or coralline algae;
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“operator” means a person executing an activity regulated under
this Act or any other entity executing on behalf of one or
several persons, the day to day management of the activity;
“persistent organic pollutants” means chemical substances that
persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food
web, possess toxic properties and pose a risk of causing
adverse effects to human health and the environment and
that are transported across international boundaries far
from their sources;
“plastics” means a synthetic material made from a wide range
of organic polymers such as polyethylene that can be
moulded into shape while soft and then set into a rigid or
slightly elastic form;
“pollution” means anything which causes or is likely to cause
or aggravate damage or nuisance to human health or the
environment including the introduction of solids, liquids
or gases into air, water or ground; noise or vibrations; light
and other radiation; and effects on temperature;
“project” means the execution of construction or renovation
work or other developments, installations, schemes,
activities or other interventions in the natural surroundings
and landscape which may have an impact on human health
and the environment;
“project brief” means a summary statement of the likely
environmental impacts of a proposed project referred to in
section 112;
“polypropylene” means a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide
variety of packaging applications including woven and
non-woven bags;
polythene” means a synthetic plastic material made up of
numerous simple chemicals called ethene or ethylene used
in a wide variety of packaging applications;
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“strategic environmental assessment” means the systematic
and comprehensive process of evaluating the likely
environmental, health and social consequences of a policy,
plan or programme and its alternatives to ensure that these
consequences are integrated and appropriately addressed
at the earliest stage of decision making with the same
importance as economic and other strategic considerations;
“sustainable development” means development that meets the
needs of the present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs;
“sustainable use” means use of environment resources in a way
and at a rate that does not lead to long term decline of those
resources, thereby maintaining their potential to meet the
needs and aspirations of present and future generations;
“transboundary movement of waste” means any movement
of hazardous or other waste from another country to or
through Uganda or from Uganda to another country;
“venting” means the release of unburned gases directly into the
atmosphere;
“urban council” includes city, municipal, division and town
council;
“waste” means any substance or object which is dumped,
abandoned, discarded or disposed of or intended or required
by law to be disposed of;
“wetlands” means areas permanently or seasonally flooded by
water, where plants and animals have become adapted and
gazetted as such.
3. Right to a decent environment.

(1) Every person in Uganda has a right to a clean and
healthy environment in accordance with the Constitution and the
principles of sustainable development.
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(2) Every person has a duty to create, maintain and enhance the
environment, including the duty to prevent pollution.
(3) A person may, where the right referred to in subsection (1)

is threatened as a result of an act or omission by any person which has
or is likely to cause harm to human health or the environment or in
enforcement of the duty referred to in subsection (2), file a civil suit
against the person whose act or omission has or is likely to cause harm
to human health or the environment.
(4) A person proceeding under subsection (3) may file a civil suit
notwithstanding that the person cannot prove that the act or omission of
another person has caused or is likely to cause personal harm or injury.
(5) The civil suit referred to in subsection (3) may be to require

court—
(a) to prevent, stop or discontinue any act or omission
deleterious to human health or the environment;
(b) to require that an activity likely to have significant adverse
impacts on human health or the environment be subjected
to an environmental and social impact or risk assessment;
(c) to require that any ongoing activity that is likely to impact
human health or the environment be subjected to an
environmental audit in accordance with this Act;
(d) to require that any ongoing activity be subjected to
environmental monitoring in accordance with this Act;
(e) to compel any ministry, department, agency or local
government to take measures to prevent or to discontinue
any act or omission deleterious to human health or the
environment;
(f) to require any person to take any other measures to ensure
that human health or the environment do not suffer any
significant aim or damage;
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(g) to compel the persons responsible for the environmental
degradation to restore the degraded environment as far as
practicable to its immediate condition prior to the damage;
(h) to provide compensation for any victim of pollution and
the cost of beneficial uses lost as a result of an act of
pollution; or
(i) to provide compensation for other losses that are connected
with or incidental to subparagraph (a) to (h).
4. Rights of nature.
(1) Nature has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate
its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution.
(2) A person has a right to bring an action before a competent

court for any infringement of rights of nature under this Act.
(3) Government shall apply precaution and restriction measures

in all activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction
of the ecosystems or the permanent alteration of the natural cycles.
(4) The Minister shall, by regulations, prescribe the conservation

areas for which the rights in subsection (1) apply.
5. Principles of environment management.

(1) The Authority shall ensure that the principles of environment
management set out in subsection (2) are observed, taking into account
the finite nature of non-renewable resources and the productivity of
the available renewable resources.
(2) The principles of environment management referred to in
subsection (1) include—
(a) encouraging the participation by the people of Uganda, in
the development of policies, plans and programmes for the
management of the environment;
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(b) providing for equitable, gender responsive and sustainable
use of the environment and natural resources, including
cultural and natural heritage, for the benefit of both present
and future generations;
(c) maintaining stable functioning relations between the living
and non-living parts of the environment through conserving
biological diversity and by use of prudent environment
management measures;
(d) ensuring optimum sustainable yield in the use of renewable
natural resources;
(e) ensuring that activities relating to extractive processes of
renewable and non-renewable natural resources are carried
out in a sustainable manner;
(f) restoring lost or damaged ecosystems where possible and
reversing the degradation of the environment and natural
resources;
(g) ensuring that where there are threats of irreversible harm
or damage to human health or the environment, lack of
scientific certainty is not used as a reason for postponing
cost-effective measures to prevent the harm or damage;
(h) ensuring that adequate environmental protection standards
are established and that effective monitoring of change
in environmental quality is undertaken, including by
publishing relevant data on environmental quality and
resource use;
(i) requiring prior environmental and social impact
assessments of proposed projects which may significantly
affect the environment or use of natural resources;
(j) requiring the application of the mitigation hierarchy in
environmental and social impact assessments including:
to avoid and minimize impacts, achieve restoration targets
and for residual impacts, deliver biodiversity offsets;
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(k) ensuring that environmental awareness and literacy form
an integral part of education and governance at all levels;
(l) requiring the cost of pollution to be borne by the polluter;
(m) ensuring that environmental costs connected with the actual
or potential deterioration of natural assets are factored into
economic activities;
(n) promoting the use of economic instruments and
compensatory measures in environmental management;
(o) promoting green growth in environmental planning and
implementation of sustainable development goals in all
sectors;
(p) promoting circular economy by maximising production
efficiency to conserve the use of the environment and
natural resources and to control the generation of waste to
the greatest extent possible—
(i) by preventing or reducing the generation of waste
from production processes or products and
consumption patterns;
(ii) by promoting proper cyclical use of products in the
production processes as circulative resources;
(iii) by ensuring proper disposal of circulative resources
not put into cyclical use; and
(iv) promoting a multi and inter-sectoral approach to
environment management.
(q) promoting cooperation between Uganda and other states in
the field of the environment and to support and promote the
implementation of applicable international environmental
obligations and principles;
(r) ensuring that processes of environmental management
and human development have due regard to international
human rights standards;
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(s) ensuring that in the implementation of public and private
projects, approaches that increase both the environment
and people’s resilience to impacts of climate change are
prioritized; and
(t) ensuring that in case of an environmental emergency such
as a disaster of any magnitude, the lead agencies promptly
notify other relevant agencies and departments so as to
guarantee the availability of support.
Part II—Institutional Arrangements.
Policy Committee on Environment.
6. Policy Committee on Environment.
(1) There shall be a Policy Committee on Environment

responsible for strategic policy guidance on environment in Uganda.
(2) The Policy Committee on Environment shall consist of—
(a) the Prime Minister, who shall be the chairperson;

(b) the Minister responsible for water and environment;
(c) the Minister responsible for agriculture, animal industry
and fisheries;
(d) the Minister responsible for finance, planning and
economic development;
(e) the Minister responsible for education, science, technology
and sports;
(f) the Minister responsible for health;
(g) the Minister responsible for lands, housing and urban
development;
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(h) the Minister responsible for local government;
(i) the Minister responsible for gender, labour and social
development;
(j) the Minister responsible for tourism, wildlife and
antiquities;
(k) the Minister responsible for trade, industry and
cooperatives;
(l) the Minister responsible for works and transport;
(m) the Minister responsible for energy and mineral
development;
(n) the Minister responsible for internal affairs;
(o) the Minister responsible for defence and veterans affairs;
and
(p) the Minister responsible for information, communications
technology and national guidance.
(3) The functions of the Policy Committee on Environment are—

(a) to provide guidance in the formulation and implementation
of environmental and climate change policies, plans and
programmes;
(b) to liaise with Cabinet on issues related to the environment;
(c) to advise on legislative proposals and standards on the
environment;
(d) to provide guidance on harmonisation of policies of
Government with respect to the environment, natural
resources, water and climate change; and
(e) to perform any other function that may be assigned to it by
Cabinet.
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(4) The Chairperson of the Board and the Executive Director
shall attend the meetings of the Policy Committee on Environment by
virtue of their office but are not entitled to vote on any matter before
the Policy Committee on Environment.
(5) Schedule 2 shall have effect in relation to meetings of the
Policy Committee on Environment and other matters provided for in
that Schedule.
The Minister.
7. Functions of the Minister.
(1) The Minister shall—
(a) formulate policy and legislation on the environment;
(b) oversee the implementation of the decisions of the Policy
Committee on Environment;
(c) oversee and provide policy and strategic guidance or
directives to the Authority to ensure its effective operation;
(d) oversee environmental planning and ensure mainstreaming
and integration of environmental concerns into sector
policies, plans and programmes;
(e) oversee resource mobilisation for programmes in support
of the environment and natural resources;
(f) oversee ratification and coordinated implementation of
multilateral environmental agreements; and
(g) facilitate partnerships with other Government institutions,
Government agencies of other States, inter-governmental
organisations and development partners on issues relating
to environment management.
(2) The guidance or directive given by the Minister under
subsection (1)(c) shall not adversely affect or interfere with the
performance of the functions and exercise of the mandate of the
Authority.
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(3) Any directive issued by the Minister under this Act shall be
published in the Gazette.
National Environment Management Authority.
8. Continuation of National Environment Management

Authority.
(1) The National Environment Management Authority
established under the National Environment Act, Cap. 153 and existing
immediately before the coming into force of this Act shall continue in
existence, subject to this Act.
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual
succession and a common seal.
(3) The Authority shall, in its own name, be capable of suing
and being sued and doing and suffering all acts and things as a body
corporate may lawfully do or suffer.
(4) The Authority shall be under the general supervision of the
Minister.
9. Mandate and functions of the Authority.
(1) The Authority shall be the principal agency in Uganda for
regulating, monitoring, supervising and coordinating all activities
relating to the environment.
(2) The functions of the Authority are—

(a) to advise on the formulation and implementation of
environmental and climate change policies, plans and
programmes;
(b) to advise the Minister on legislative proposals and
standards on the environment;
(c) to advise the Minister on the harmonisation of policies of
Government with respect to the environment and natural
resources;
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(d) to support the mainstreaming and integration of
environmental concerns in national and sectoral plans
through coordination and collaboration with lead agencies;
(e) to require lead agencies to report and account for the
execution of their mandate in relation to environmental
management as prescribed in this Act or any other
applicable law;
(f) to issue environmental compliance certificates;
(g) to regulate, monitor and coordinate private sector,
intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental
organisations, cultural institutions, indigenous people
and local communities and religious institutions on issues
relating to the environment;
(h) to regulate environmental practitioners in the environmental
and social impact assessment and environmental audit
processes;
(i) to review and make decisions on environmental and
social impact assessments, environmental audits and other
studies or reports submitted in accordance with this Act or
any other applicable law;
(j) to issue permits and licences in accordance with this Act
and any other applicable law;
(k) to undertake and coordinate environmental monitoring,
inspections and compliance audits;
(l) to undertake and support research in innovations, new
technologies and emerging issues on environment;
(m) to prepare and disseminate the National State of the
Environment Report;
(n) to support the preparation and disseminatioin of the
National Environment Action Plan;
(o) to undertake public environmental awareness and literacy;
25
(p) to coordinate lead agencies in their preparedness and
response to environmental emergencies or disasters;
(q) to support the implementation of multilateral environmental
agreements for which the Authority is the focal point;
(r) to advise the Minister on legislative and other measures for
the management of the environment or the implementation
of relevant international conventions, treaties and
agreements in the field of environment, as the case may be;
(s) to advise the Government on regional and international
environmental conventions, treaties and agreements
to which Uganda should be a party and follow up the
implementation of such agreements where Uganda is a
party; and
(t) to enforce the provisions of this Act.
(3) The Authority may, in the performance of its functions under

this section, delegate, by instrument of delegation, any of its functions
to a lead agency, a technical committee or a public officer.
(4) A person aggrieved by the decision of a lead agency, a

technical committee or a public officer in the exercise of delegated
functions under this section may appeal to the Authority.
(5) Notwithstanding the exercise by the Authority of its mandate

and functions in subsection (1) and (2), a lead agency shall continue to
perform its duties relating to environmental management as prescribed
by the relevant applicable law.
10. Power of the Authority over lead agencies.

(1) The Authority may, after giving reasonable notice of its
intention, direct a lead agency to perform, within such time and in
such manner as it shall specify, any of the duties imposed upon the
lead agency by or under this Act or any other written law, in the field
of environment.
26
(2) Where the lead agency fails to comply with the directives
referred to in subsection (1), the Authority may perform or cause to be
performed the duties in question, and the expense incurred in so doing
shall be a civil debt recoverable by the Authority from the lead agency.
(3) A natural person who fails to comply with subsection (1) and
(2) commits an offence.
11. Functions of a lead agency.

A lead agency shall—
(a) plan, regulate and manage the segment of the environment
within its mandate;
(b) carry out strategic environmental assessments in
accordance with section 47;
(c) prepare an environment action plan in accordance with
section 45;
(d) prepare the state of environment report in accordance with
section 46;
(e) undertake environmental inspections and review
environment assessments and environmental audits in
accordance with this Act and any other applicable law;
(f) ensure that any activity undertaken in its area of jurisdiction
is in compliance with this Act;
(g) implement the decisions of the Authority with respect to
the segment of environment under its mandate;
(h) report on progress quarterly and account to the Authority
for the execution of its role in relation to environmental
management within three months after the end of the
financial year; and
(i) implement and enforce the provisions of this Act.
The Board of the Authority.
12. Board.
(1) The Authority shall have a Board, which shall be the
governing body of the Authority.
27
(2) The Board shall be appointed by the Minister with the
approval of Cabinet.
(3) The Board shall consist of—

(a) a representative of the Ministry responsible for
environment; and
(b) eight members, not being public officers.
(4) At least one third of the members of the Board shall be

women.
(5) The Minister shall, in appointing the members of the
Board, ensure that three members of the Board are environmental
professionals.
(6) The Minister shall appoint a chairperson from among the
members appointed under subsection (3)(b).
(7) The Executive Director shall be the secretary to the board and
shall attend the meetings of the Board by virtue of his or her office, but
shall not have a right to vote in any matter coming before the Board for
decision.
(8) The Board may appoint committees of the Board for the
efficient operation of the governance function of the Board.
13. Disqualification from appointment to the Board.

A person shall not be appointed to the Board who—
(a) has been convicted of an offence under this Act or of an
offence involving dishonesty or fraud by a competent
court in Uganda or outside Uganda;
(b) has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to
imprisonment for six months or more by a competent
court in Uganda or outside Uganda without the option of a
fine; or
28
(c) is an undischarged bankrupt or has made any assignment
or arrangement with his or her creditors.
14. Tenure of office of Board members.

Save for the member appointed under subsection (3)(a) of Section 12,
a member of the Board shall hold office for three years and is eligible
for reappointment for only one more term.
15. Functions of the Board.

(1) The functions of the Board are—
(a) to oversee the implementation of the mandate and functions

of the Authority;
(b) to review and approve policies and strategic plans of the
Authority;
(c) to review and approve the annual work plan and budget of
the Authority;
(d) to monitor the performance of the Authority;
(e) to review and approve environmental policies, plans,
strategies, legislative proposals and standards for the
management of the environment and natural resources
initiated by the Authority;
(f) to appoint, terminate and oversee the technical committees
appointed under section 21;
(g) to establish and approve rules and procedures for the
appointment, discipline, termination and terms and
conditions of service of the staff of the Authority;
(h) to undertake selection of the Executive Director and
recommend his or her appointment in accordance with
section 22(1);
(i) to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Authority
against approved budgets and plans;
29
(j) to oversee reporting, disclosure and communication
processes of the Authority;
(k) to monitor the effectiveness of corporate governance
practices and risk management of the Authority; and
(l) to perform any other duties assigned to it under this Act.
(2) The Board shall implement the directions and decisions of

the Minister and the Policy Committee on Environment in accordance
with this Act.
16. Termination of appointment to the Board.

(1) A member of the Board may, at any time, resign his or her
office by giving thirty days’ notice in writing to the Minister.
(2) The Minister may remove a member of the Board—

(a) if information relating to the conduct of the member,which
could have precluded his or her appointment, is brought to
the attention of the Minister;
(b) for incompetence;
(c) for misbehavior or misconduct;
(d) for failure to disclose, at a Board meeting, a matter in which
he or she has a personal interest;
(e) for inability to perform the functions of his or her office
arising from infirmity of body or mind;
(f) who has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to
imprisonment for six months or more by a competent
court in Uganda or outside Uganda;
(g) for bankruptcy or insolvency;
(h) for absence, without prior notice to the Chairperson of
the Board for more than four consecutive meetings of the
Board; or
30
(i) for absence, without reasonable cause to the satisfaction of
the Minister, for more than four consecutive meetings of
the Board, or absence from Uganda for more than twelve
months.
(3) Where it appears to the Minister that there is cause to remove

a member of the Board under subsection (2), the Minister shall notify
the member concerned in writing and shall give the member an
opportunity to submit his or her explanation to the Minister.
17. Filling of vacancies on the Board.

(1) Where a member of the Board resigns, dies, is removed
from office or is for any other reason unable to act as a member of the
Board, the Chairperson shall notify the Minister of the vacancy within
one month after the occurrence of the vacancy.
(2) The Minister shall, after being notified of the vacancy under
subsection (1), in accordance with section 12, appoint another person
to hold office for the remainder of the term of the previous member.
(3) Where the member of the Board referred to in subsection (1)

is the Chairperson of the Board, the Executive Director shall notify
the Minister of the vacancy and the Minister shall appoint one of the
Board members to hold the office of Chairperson for the unexpired
portion of the Chairperson’s term of office.
18. Remuneration of Board members.

The Chairperson and members of the Board shall be paid such
remuneration as the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister
responsible for finance, specify in the instrument of appointment.

Schedule 3 shall have effect in relation to meetings of the Board and
other matters provided for in that Schedule.
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20. Delegation of functions of the Board.
(1) The Board may delegate to the Chairperson, a member of the
Board, a committee of the Board or the Executive Director, any of the
functions of the Board under this Act.
(2) The terms and conditions regulating the exercise of the

functions delegated under this section shall be contained in the
instrument of delegation.
(3) A person aggrieved by the decision of a person or committee

to whom functions of the Board are delegated under subsection (1)
may appeal to the Board.
(4) A person shall, in the exercise of a delegated function under

this section, comply with directions or guidelines as the Board may,
from time to time, issue in writing.
Technical Committees.
21. Appointment of technical committees.

(1) The Board may, on the advice of the Executive Director, by
instrument of appointment, appoint technical committees as it considers
necessary to give advice or perform delegated functions as may be
determined by the Board on matters relating to the environment.
(2) The technical committees appointed under subsection (1)

may be composed of staff of the Authority or any other qualified
persons, not being staff of the Authority.
(3) The Board shall specify in writing the terms of reference of

a technical committee appointed under this section.
(4) A technical committee appointed under this section shall

adopt its own rules and procedure but shall, in any event, be guided
by the procedures applicable to Board meetings in Schedule 3 to this
Act.
32
(5) Each technical committee shall prepare and submit to the
Board, reports on its activities as specified in the terms of reference.
Staff of the Authority

22. Executive Director.
(1) There shall be an Executive Director appointed by the Minister
on the recommendation of the Board on such terms and conditions as
may be specified in the instrument of appointment.
(2) The Executive Director shall be a person of high moral
character and proven integrity, with the relevant qualifications, skills
and experience relating to the functions of the Authority.
(3) The Executive Director shall serve for a period of five years
and is eligible for reappointment for one more term.
(4) The Executive Director shall cease to hold office—
(a) if information relating to the conduct of the Executive
Director, which could have precluded his or her
appointment, is brought to the attention of the Minister;
(b) upon resignation;
(c) on the expiry of a fixed term contract;
(d) for incompetence;
(e) for misconduct;
(f) for inability to perform the functions of his or her office
arising from infirmity of body or mind;
(g) where he or she has been convicted of an offence and
sentenced to imprisonment for six months or more by a
competent court in Uganda or outside Uganda; or
(h) for bankruptcy or insolvency.
23. Functions of Executive Director.
(1) The Executive Director shall be the chief executive and
accounting officer of the Authority.
33
(2) The Executive Director shall be responsible for the day-to-
day administration and operations of the Authority.
(3) Subject to this Act and the general supervision and control
of the Board, the Executive Director is responsible for—
(a) strategic planning and management of the Authority;
(b) resource mobilisation, proper management of the funds
and property of the Authority and accountability;
(c) supporting the Board and Policy Committee on
Environment in the performance of their functions;
(d) ensuring the effective functioning of the Authority for the
realisation of its mandate and vision;
(e) establishing and maintaining stakeholder partnerships at
national, regional and international levels for effective
environmental management;
(f) facilitating corporate and good governance at the
Authority;
(g) ensuring management efficiency and effectiveness at the
Authority; and
(h) performing any other function necessary for the
implementation of this Act as may be assigned to him or
her by the Board.
(4) The Executive Director shall, from time to time, report

to the Board on the progress in implementation of the mandate and
functions of the Authority.
(5) The Executive Director shall be accountable to the

Board.
34
24. Other staff of the Authority.
(1) The Board may, on the advice of the Executive Director,
appoint other officers and employees of the Authority.
(2) The employees appointed under this section shall hold office
on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board on
the advice of the Executive Director and as may be specified in their
instruments of appointment.
(3) The Board shall regulate the manner of appointment and the
terms and conditions of service of staff appointed under this section.
25. Environmental Protection Force.

(1) There shall be an Environmental Protection Force to enforce
the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Environmental Protection Force shall comprise persons
appointed by the Authority in consultation with the Uganda Police
Force.
(3) The persons appointed under subsection (2) shall be trained
by the Uganda Police Force.
(4) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, on the

recommendation of the Uganda Police Force make regulations to
regulate the Environmental Protection Force.
District Structures for Environmental Management.

26. Environmental management by urban and district councils.
(1) Subject to this Act and any other applicable law, urban
and district councils shall be responsible for the management of the
environment and natural resources under their jurisdiction.
(2) Urban and district councils may, in consultation with the

Authority, make ordinances and bylaws to regulate various aspects of
the environment and natural resources within their jurisdiction.
35
(3) Any ordinances or bylaws made by urban and district councils
under subsection (2) shall not be inconsistent with this Act.
27. District environment and natural resources committee

(1) Every district shall establish a district environment and
natural resources committee, which shall comprise—
(a) The District Chairperson;
(b) the Members of Parliament from the district;
(c) the Resident District Commissioners;
(d) the Secretary for environment;
(e) the district natural resources officer; who shall be the
secretary;
(f) the Chief Administrative Officer;
(g) the district engineer;
(h) the town clerk;
(i) the Mayor, town clerk and secretary responsible for
environment at the urban council;
(j) the district planner;
(k) the physical planning officer; and
(l) community development officer.
(2) The members of the committee shall elect from amongst

themselves a chairperson and a vice chairperson of the Committee.
(3) The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, prescribe

the procedures of the district environment and natural resources
committee.
36
28. Functions of district environment and natural resource com-

mittees.
(1) The functions of the district environment and natural
resources committee are—
(a) to coordinate the activities of the urban or district council

relating to the management of the environment and natural
resources;
(b) to prepare district environment action plans;
(c) to ensure that environmental concerns are integrated in

all plans and projects approved by the urban or district
council;
(d) to prepare the district state of the environment report;
(e) to assist in the formulation and enforcement of

ordinances and byelaws relating to the management of
the environment;
(f) to monitor all activities within its local jurisdiction to

ensure that such activities do not have any significant
impact on the environment;
(g) to promote the dissemination of information about the

environment;
(h) to coordinate with the Authority on all issues relating to

the management of the environment;
(i) to coordinate the activities of environment and natural

resources committees in the management of the
environment; and
37
(j) to carry out such other functions as may be prescribed by
the urban or district council.
(2) The district environment and natural resources committee

shall receive funding from among the sources of funds available to
the urban or district council for performing its functions under this
Act.
29. Environment and Natural resources conditional grant.

(1) Parliament shall each financial year, appropriate funds for the
purpose of financing environment and natural resources programmes
in the district, city, municipal, town councils and sub counties.
(2) The Minister shall annually issue guidelines indicating

how the funds referred to in sub section (1) shall be shared among
the sectors that constitute the natural resources department of each
district, city, municipal and town councils and sub counties.
(3) The funds referred to in subsection (1) shall be sent directly

to the district, city, municipal and town councils and sub counties.
30. Environment officer.

(1) A lead agency shall appoint environment officers.
(2) The functions of an environment officer appointed under

subsection (1) are—
(a) to advise the ministry, department, agency of government
or local government with a responsibility of managing
a segment of the environment on all matters related to
environment;
38
(b) to liaise with the Authority and, where applicable, with
the environment and natural resources committee on all
matters relating to the environment;
(c) to promote environmental awareness and literacy;
(d) to assist the environment and natural resources committee,
where applicable, in the performance of its functions under
this Act;
(e) to keep a record of information on the environment and
the utilisation of the environment and natural resources;
(f) to serve as the secretary to the environment and natural
resources committee, where applicable;
(g) to participate in review of laws and, where applicable, in
the development of bye laws or ordinances on environment
and natural resource management;
(h) to participate in the review of environmental and social
impact assessment reports, environmental audit reports
and other reports to be submitted to the Authority on a
regular basis;
(i) to assist environmental inspectors or environmental
auditors appointed by the Authority in the performance of
their functions under this Act, where required;
(j) to ensure compliance with approvals made under this Act
related to the segment of the environment he or she is
responsible for and to notify the Authority, as appropriate;
(k) to assist a ministry, department, agency of government
or local government in the preparation and approval of
environment action plans;
(l) to assist in the preparation of the urban, district or other
lead agency state of environment report;
39
(m) to advise on environmental matters before any dealings in
land;
(n) to monitor all activities within their jurisdiction to ensure
compliance with this Act; and
(o) to perform such other functions as may be prescribed by
the appointing authority.
(3) The environment officer may, on the request of the appointing
authority and the written approval of the Authority, exercise the powers
of an environment inspector under section 128.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the appointing authority shall

remain liable for the acts and omissions of the environment officer
in the exercise of the powers of an environmental inspector under
subsection (3).
Part III—Funds of the Authority and the

National Environment Fund
31. Funds of the Authority.

The funds of the Authority shall consist of—
(a) monies appropriated by Parliament; and

(b) donations or grants received from sources within or outside
Uganda, with the approval of the Minister responsible for
finance.
32. Continuation of the National Environment Fund.

(1) The National Environment Fund existing immediately before
the commencement of this Act shall continue in existence subject to
this Act and the Public Finance Management Act, 2015.
(2) The funds of the National Environment Fund shall consist

of—
40
(a) disbursements from government;
(b) environmental levies;
(c) fees charged for the use of environmental resources and
other fees charged under this Act;
(d) administrative fines collected as a result of breach of the
provisions of this Act; and
(e) gifts, donations and other voluntary contributions to the
Fund, with the approval of the Minister responsible for
finance.
33. Administration of the National Environment Fund.

(1) The Board shall be responsible for the administration of
the Fund.
(2) The Fund shall support the implementation of the following

activities—
(a) management of sensitive and fragile ecosystems;
(b) critical environmental restoration activities;
(c) support the review and follow up of compliance with

environmental and social impact assessments and
environmental audits;
(d) research intended to further the requirements of
environmental management, capacity building,
environmental publications and scholarships;
(e) innovations for environmental conservation and
management by the public and private sector; and
(f) environmental resources management.
(3) The Board may specify other areas for funding other than
areas specified in subsection (2).
41
(4) The Board may, on the advice of the Executive Director,
provide funding to a lead agency for critical restoration activities and
management of sensitive and fragile ecosystems.
(5) The Board shall submit to the Minister, annual estimates and
progress reports of the performance of the Fund.
(6) Seventy per cent of the funds contained in the National
Environment Fund shall be reserved and allocated to lead agencies as
a conditional grant.
(7) Fifty per cent of the funds allocated to lead agencies
under subsection (6) shall be reserved and utilized for restoration
activities.
(8) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister shall, by regulations,
prescribe the manner in which lead agencies shall access funding from
the Fund.
(9) The Authority shall issue a certificate of compliance to a lead
agency which effectively executes its functions under this Act.
(10) A lead agency shall not receive any money from the Fund
unless it has been issued with a certificate of compliance as prescribed
under this Act.
(11) The Minister shall by 15th of March every year, submit to
Parliament a report on the performance and status of the Fund.
34. Power to open and operate bank accounts.
(1) The Authority shall, with the approval of the Accountant
General, open and maintain such bank accounts as are necessary for
the performance of the functions of the Authority.
(2) The Executive Director shall ensure that all monies received
by or on behalf of the Authority are banked as soon as practicable in
the Authority’s bank accounts.
(3) The Executive Director shall ensure that no monies are
withdrawn from or are paid out of any of the Authority’s bank accounts
without his or her authorisation.
42
(4) The Executive Director shall notify the Board on the status of
accounts and advise on their operation or closure.
35. Powers to borrow.

Subject to the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act,
2015, the Authority may borrow money from any source as may be
required for meeting its obligations or for the discharge of its functions
under this Act.
36. Estimates.
(1) The Executive Director shall, not later than four months
before the end of each financial year, prepare and submit to the Board
for its approval, estimates of income and expenditure of the Authority
for the next ensuing year.
(2) The Authority shall, in accordance with the Public Finance

Management Act, 2015, prepare and submit to the Minister, a budget
containing the estimates of the income and expenditure of the Authority
for the next financial year.
(3) The Authority shall not incur any expenditure exceeding

the expenditure approved by the Board under the estimates for the
financial year in which the expenditure is to be made.
37. Financial year of the Authority.

The financial year of the Authority is the period of twelve months
beginning on the 1st day of July in each year and ending on the 30th
day of June in the following year.
38. Accounts.
(1) The Authority shall—
(a) keep proper books of accounts and records of the
transactions and affairs of the Authority;
(b) ensure that all monies received are properly accounted
for;
43
(c) ensure that all payments out of its monies are correctly
made and properly authorised; and
(d) ensure that adequate control is maintained over its assets

and liabilities.
(2) The Authority shall, within two months after the end of each
financial year, submit the annual accounts and report of the Authority
to the Auditor General.
39. Audit.
The Auditor General or an auditor appointed by the Auditor General
shall, in each financial year, audit the accounts of the Authority in
accordance with the National Audit Act, 2008.
40. Annual report.

(1) The Executive Director shall, within forty five days after the
end of each financial year, submit to the Board an annual report in
respect of that financial year containing—
(a) financial statements as the Board may require;
(b) a report on the operations of the Authority and the National

Environment Fund; and
(c) any other information regarding accounts as the Board

may require.
(2) The Board shall submit to the Minister, as soon as practicable

but in any case, not later than the 15th day of January of each year, an
annual report detailing the activities and operations of the Authority
during the year to which the report relates.
(3) The Minister shall, by 15th of March of each year, submit to

Parliament the annual report of the Authority.
44
41. Duty to operate on sound financial principles.
The Board shall perform its functions in accordance with sound
financial principles and in conformity with good commercial practices
and shall ensure, as far as possible, that the Authority’s revenue is
sufficient to meet expenditure properly charged to revenue.
42. Powers of the Minister responsible for finance in relation to

taxation.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Income Tax Act, the
Minister responsible for finance in consultation with the Authority,
may provide for—
(a) fiscal, tax, financial and other instruments to encourage
good environmental practices, including the conservation
of the environment and natural resources and the
prevention or abatement of pollution; or
(b) tax and economic disincentives to deter deleterious

environmental behaviour that leads to depletion of the
environment and natural resources or activities that cause
pollution.
(2) The Authority may periodically prepare proposals and
packages of economic tools and financial instruments and submit
to the Minister responsible for finance for purposes of enhancing
environmental management and protection.
43. Compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, 2015.

The Authority shall at all times comply with the Public Finance
Management Act, 2015.
Part IV—Environmental Planning.

44. Environmental planning at the national level.
(1) The Minister shall, in consultation with the Authority, prepare
a National Environment Action Plan in accordance with the national
planning framework.
45
(2) The National Environment Action Plan shall—
(a) be made every five years and reviewed every two and half
years to take into account emerging issues, challenges
and opportunities;
(b) take into account urban, district and other sector
environment action plans provided for under section 45;
(c) take into account the national state of the environment
report and contribute to the national development plan;
and
(d) be disseminated to the public.
(3) The national environment action plan shall guide

environmental planning and decision-making at all levels of
government.
(4) The national environment action plan shall include—

(a) an analysis of the natural resources of Uganda with an
indication as to any pattern of change in their distribution
and quantity over time;
(b) operational guidelines for the planning and management
of the environment and natural resources;
(c) actual or likely problems which may affect the natural
resources and the broader environment context in which
they exist;
(d) trends in the development of urban and rural settlements,
their impacts on the environment, and strategies for the
amelioration of their negative impacts;
46
(e) proposed guidelines for the integration of standards of
environmental protection into development planning and
management;
(f) recommendations on policy and legislative approaches for
preventing, controlling or mitigating specific as well as
general adverse impacts on the environment;
(g) priority areas of environmental research and outline
methods of using such research findings; and
(h) maintenance of ecosystem services and measures for
preventing, reversing or mitigating any deleterious effect.
45. Environmental planning by lead agencies.

(1) A lead agency shall prepare environment action plans for
their respective sectors in conformity with the national environment
action plan.
(2) An environment action plan prepared under subsection (1)

shall be reviewed every two and a half years.
(3) An urban or district council shall prepare an urban or district

environment action plan.
(4) The environment action plan made under subsection (3)

shall—
(a) be prepared every five years and reviewed every two and
half years;
(b) be in conformity with the national environment action plan;
(c) take into account village, parish and sub-county
environment action plans;
(d) be subject to approval by the urban or district council; and
(e) be disseminated to the public.
47
(5) The Minister shall issue guidelines for the preparation of
environment action plans under this section.
(6) The environment action plans prepared under this section

shall be submitted to the Minister for integration into the national
environment action plan.
46. State of the environment report.

(1) The Authority shall prepare a national state of the
environment report in accordance with environmental principles.
(2) The national state of environment report prepared under

subsection (1) shall—
(a) be made every two years to guide environmental planning
and to feed into the national environment action plan;
(b) highlight environmental challenges, opportunities and
proposed intervention to protect the environment;
(c) take into account urban, district and other sector state of
the environment reports provided for under subsections (3)
and (4); and
(d) be disseminated to the public.
(3) A lead agency may prepare state of the environment reports

for their respective sectors.
(4) An urban or district council shall, every two years, prepare an

urban or district state of the environment report.
(5) The state of environment reports prepared under this section

shall feed into the national state of the environment report.
(6) The Authority shall issue guidelines for the preparation of the
state of the environment reports.
48
(7) The Minister shall present the National State of Environment
Report to Parliament.
47. Strategic environmental assessment.

(1) A strategic environmental assessment shall be undertaken
for government policies, plans and programmes being initiated or
reviewed, which are likely to have a significant impact on human
health or the environment.
(2) A strategic environmental assessment shall be carried out
for activities in landscapes or other areas where there are likely to be
large investments or where cumulative impacts are likely to have a
significant impact on human health or the environment.
(3) A lead agency responsible for the policy, plan or programme

referred to in subsection (1) shall, in consultation with the Authority,
be responsible for carrying out a strategic environmental assessment
in a manner prescribed by regulations.
48. Land use planning.

(1) A lead agency shall, in consultation with the Authority,
ensure that environmental considerations are an integral part of land
use plans.
(2) A lead agency shall monitor the implementation of land

use plans prepared by the physical planning committee within the
jurisdiction of the lead agency, where applicable, in accordance with
this section and report to the Authority.
(3) A lead agency shall, in the exercise of its functions under this
section, take into account the Physical Planning Act, 2010 and any
other applicable law.
49. Environment management systems.

(1) A developer of a project listed in Schedule 4 or 5 shall
establish, maintain and implement an environment management
system in a manner prescribed by regulations.
49
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Authority may require
a developer of a project not listed in schedule 4 or 5 to establish,
maintain and implement an environment management system.
(3) An environment management system shall be a documented

structured framework of processes, practices and measures—
(a) to ensure that project activities are planned, organised,
performed and managed to comply with environmental
laws, permits and licences;
(b) to ensure better management of environmental impacts
caused by project activities; and
(c) to demonstrate sound environmental management, while
improving environmental performance.
(4) A lead agency shall establish, maintain and implement an
environment management system in accordance with this section.
Part V—Management of the Green Environment
50. Scope of this Part.
The measures for the management of the environment and natural
resources provided for under this Part, shall take into consideration the
environmental action plans developed and the strategic environmental
assessments carried out under Part IV and economic instruments.
Special Conservation Areas.

51. Declaration of special conservation areas.
(1) Subject to the Constitution, this Act and any other applicable
law on protection of ecosystems and conservation of biological
diversity, the Minister may, on the advice of the Authority or lead
agency and with the approval of Parliament, by statutory instrument,
declare a special conservation area under this Act.
(2) The Minister shall, before making a declaration under
subsection (1)—
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(a) consult the local council and the local community in
whose area the proposed special conservation area is to be
located;
(b) require an environmental and social impact assessment to
be carried out, as appropriate; and
(c) if the area in which the proposed conservation area is to be
located is private land or land in which any person has an
interest, where necessary, acquire the land in accordance
with the Constitution, the Land Acquisition Act and the
Land Act.
(3) The Minister shall, in addition to the requirements under
subsection (2), give notice of the proposed declaration in the Gazette,
print media or in any other media that he or she may deem appropriate.
(4) The notice referred to in subsection (3) shall—

(a) identify the location and size of the proposed special
conservation area;
(b) include a summary of the proposed conservation practices
for the area; and
(c) invite written comments and representations on the
proposed declaration to be made within the period specified
in the notice.
(5) The Minister may, in declaring a special conservation

area under subsection (1), prohibit certain activities from being
undertaken in the area.
(6) The Minister shall before, amending an instrument made

under this section, obtain parliamentary approval and ensure that the
procedures prescribed in subsections (2), (3) and (4) for declaring
special conservation areas have been complied with.
(7) Where an amendment made under subsection (6) will result—

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(a) in the reduction of part of the conservation area, an area
at least equivalent in ecological or ecosystem value to the
area reduced shall be simultaneously declared a special
conservation area; or
(b) in the removal of the entire special conservation area, an
area of equivalent or greater ecological or ecosystem value
to the abolished conservation area shall be simultaneously
declared a special conservation area.
(8) The Minister shall not amend an instrument issued under

subsection (1) where the special conservation area is a fragile
ecosystem.
(9) This section shall, as appropriate, apply to the grant of special
conservation status to specific species of fauna and flora.
Environmental Management of Lakes, Rivers

and Natural Beaches.
52. Restrictions on the use of natural lakes and rivers.

(1) The Authority shall, in collaboration with the relevant lead
agency, ensure that natural lakes and rivers are conserved for the
common good of the people of Uganda.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall not, in relation to a
natural lake or river, carry out any of the following activities—
(a) use, erect, reconstruct, place, alter, extend, remove or
demolish any structure or part of any structure in, on, under
or over the lake-bed or river-bed;
(b) excavate, drill, tunnel or disturb the lake-bed or river-bed;
(c) introduce or plant any part of a plant, whether alien or
indigenous, in a lake or river;
(d) introduce any animal or microorganism, whether alien or
indigenous, in any lake or river or on, in or under its bed;
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(e) deposit any substance in a lake or river or in, on or under its
bed, if that substance would or is likely to have an adverse
effect on the environment;
(f) divert or block any river from its normal course; or
(g) drain any lake or river.
(3) The Authority may, in collaboration with the relevant lead

agency, authorise any of the activities in subsection (2) subject to
conditions prescribed by the Authority.
(4) The Authority shall, in consultation with the relevant lead

agency, issue guidelines for the management of the environment where
an activity referred to in subsection (2) is authorised.
(5) A person who undertakes an activity under subsection (2)

without approval of the Authority commits an offence and is liable, on
conviction, to a fine not exceeding thirty thousand currency points or
imprisonment not exceeding twelve years or both.
53. Protection of riverbanks, lakeshores and natural beaches.

agency—
(a) protect riverbanks and lakeshores from human activities
likely to adversely affect the rivers, lakes and the living
organisms therein;
(b) protect naturally occurring islands existing in rivers or
lakes from human activities likely to affect the rivers or
the lakes; and
(c) protect natural beaches of rivers and lakes and ensure their
conservation for the benefit of the people of Uganda.
(2) The relevant lead agency shall identify the riverbanks and
lakeshores within its jurisdiction which are at risk from environmental
degradation or which have other value to the local communities and
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take necessary measures to minimise the risk or recommend to the
Authority the need for the protection of those areas.
(3) The Minister may, on the advice of the Authority, by statutory

instrument, declare protected zones along the riverbanks, lakeshores
and natural beaches within such limits as the Minister considers
necessary to protect the rivers, lakes and natural beaches from
deleterious human activities.
(4) In declaring protected zones on riverbanks, lakeshores and

natural beaches under subsection (3), the Minister shall take into
account—
(a) the size of the river or lake;
(b) cultural and natural heritage sites;
(c) the area covered by the natural beaches, rivers or lakes;
(d) the need to regulate open access to the lakes, rivers or
natural beaches; and
(e) any other factor that the Minister may, in consultation
with the Authority, consider necessary.
(5) Without limiting the general effect of this section, the
Authority may, in consultation with the relevant lead agency and
subject to this Act, permit sustainable uses of the protected zones
which do not adversely affect the river, lake or natural beach.
(6) Subject to subsections (3) and (5), a person shall not undertake
activities in the protected zones along riverbanks, lakeshores and
natural beaches.
(7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) commits an offence
and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding thirty thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding twelve years or both.
(8) In this section—
(a) “lakeshore” means the land not more than 100 metres
adjacent to or bordering a lake;
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(b) “river bank” means the rising ground, not more than 100
metres long, bordering or adjacent to the natural course of
a river in the form of rock, mud gravel or sand and in cases
of flood plains includes the point where the water surface
touches the land, that land not being the bed of the river.
Management and Utilisation of Wetlands.
54. Management of wetlands.

(1) The relevant lead agency shall, in collaboration with the
Authority, ensure that wetlands are conserved for the common good of
the people of Uganda.
(2) Government or a local government shall not lease out or

otherwise alienate any wetland.
(3) The management of wetlands shall comply with the

following principles—
(a) wetland resources shall be utilised in a sustainable manner
compatible with the continued presence of wetlands and
their hydrological functions and service;
(b) an environmental and social impact assessment shall
be carried out for all activities that are likely to have an
adverse impact on wetlands;
(c) special measures are essential for the protection of
wetlands of international, national and local importance as
ecological systems and habitats for fauna and flora species,
and for cultural and aesthetic purposes, as well as for their
hydrological functions; and
(d) wise use of wetlands shall be applied in national and local
approaches to the management of wetland resources
through awareness campaigns, dissemination of
information and environmental literacy.
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agency, establish guidelines for the identification and sustainable
management of all wetlands in Uganda.
(5) The lead agency shall, in collaboration with the Authority,
identify wetlands of local, national and international importance as
ecosystems and habitats of species of fauna and flora and shall establish
a national databank of wetlands.
(6) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Authority and

in consultation with the lead agency, by statutory instrument, declare
any wetland to be a protected wetland of national or international
importance and may limit human activities in that wetland.
(7) A declaration made under subsection (6) shall state
whether—
(a) a wetland is a fully protected wetland;
(b) a wetland is a partially protected wetland; or
(c) a wetland is subject to conservation by the local
community.
(8) A fully protected wetland shall be an area of international
and national importance because of its biological diversity, ecological
importance, landscape, natural or cultural heritage or touristic purposes
in which the following activities may be permitted—
(a) research;
(b) tourism; and
(c) restoration or enhancement of the wetland.
(9) A partially protected wetland shall be an area in which the
regulated activities specified in Schedule 6 may be permitted.
(10) A wetland subject to conservation by the local community
shall be an area in which a person may carry out traditional activities
referred to in subsection (11), subject to such restrictions as may be
imposed by the lead agency.
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(11) The traditional uses of wetland resources referred to in
subsection (10) include—
(a) harvesting of papyrus, medicinal plants, trees and reeds;
(b) fishing using traps, spears and baskets or other method,
other than weirs;
(c) collection of water for domestic use; or
(d) hunting subject to the provisions of the Uganda Wildlife Act.
55. Restrictions on the use of wetlands.
(1) A person shall not, without the written approval of the relevant
lead agency, given in consultation with the Authority—
(a) reclaim or drain any wetland;
(b) erect, construct, place, alter, extend, remove or demolish
any structure that is fixed in, on, under or over any wetland;
(c) disturb any wetland by drilling or tunnelling in a manner
that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on the wetland;
(d) deposit in, on or under any wetland any substance in a
manner that has or is likely to have an adverse effect on the
wetland;
(e) destroy, damage or disturb any wetland in a manner that
has or is likely to have an adverse effect on any plant or
animal or its habitat; or
(f) introduce any alien plant or animal in a wetland.
(2) A person who wishes to carry out an activity specified in
subsection (1) and Schedule 6 shall apply to the lead agency in writing.
(3) The lead agency may, on receipt of an application under
subsection (2)—
(a) carry out an investigation to determine the effect of the
proposed activity on the wetland and the environment in
general; and
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(b) require the developer to undertake an environmental and
social impact assessment.
(4) The lead agency shall ensure that there is no net loss to the
affected wetland from an activity for which an environmental and
social impact assessment is undertaken under subsection (2).
(5) The lead agency shall, in consultation with the Authority,
and by statutory instrument, exempt any traditional use of wetlands
referred to in section 54(11) considered to be a sustainable use, from
the requirements of subsection (1).
and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding thirty thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding twelve years or both.
Management of Hilly and Mountainous Areas.
56. Identification of hilly and mountainous areas.

(1) The Authority shall, in collaboration with a lead agency,
identify and map out hilly and mountainous areas to determine the
hilly and mountainous areas at risk from environmental degradation,
natural processes or natural disasters.
(2) A hilly or mountainous area is at risk from environmental

degradation, natural processes or natural disasters—
(a) if it is prone to soil erosion or exhibits signs of soil loss;
(b) if landslides have occurred in the area;
(c) if there are signs of difficulty by the system to regenerate
vegetation cover;
(d) where vegetation cover has been removed or is likely to
be removed from the area at a rate faster than it is being
replaced; or
(e) where any other land use activity in the area is likely to lead
to environmental degradation.
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(3) The urban or district council shall notify the Authority of
the hilly and mountainous areas that have been identified as being at
risk from environmental degradation, natural processes or natural
disasters.
(4) The Authority shall maintain a register of hilly and

mountainous areas at risk from environmental degradation, natural
processes or natural disasters.
57. Restoration, reforestation and afforestation of hilly and

mountainous areas.
(1) A lead agency shall, in its environment action plan made
under section 45, specify which of the areas identified in accordance
with section 56 shall be targeted for restoration, afforestation or
reforestation.
(2) The lead agency shall take measures, including by

encouraging voluntary self-help in the community, to plant trees and
other vegetation in any areas specified under subsection (1) which are
within the limits of its jurisdiction and not subject to any personal
interest in the land.
(3) Where the areas specified under subsection (1) are subject to
a leasehold or any other interest in land, including customary tenure,
the holder of that interest shall be responsible for taking measures to
stabilise the soils and to plant trees and other vegetation in those areas.
(4) Where the holder of an interest in land fails to comply with

subsection (3), the lead agency or the Authority may take necessary
measures, including limiting the use of the land or imposing conditions
for the use of the land, to ensure compliance.
58. Sustainable use of hilly and mountainous areas.

agency, issue guidelines and prescribe measures for the sustainable use
of hilly and mountainous areas.
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(2) The guidelines issued and measures prescribed by the
Authority under subsection (1) shall include—
(a) appropriate land use practices;
(b) carrying capacity of the areas described in subsection (1);
(c) control of soil erosion, soil creep and landslides;
(d) disaster preparedness in areas prone to landslides;
(e) the protection of areas referred to in subsection (1) from
human settlements;
(f) the protection of water catchment areas; and
(g) any other measures the Authority considers necessary.
(3) The lead agency shall be responsible for ensuring that the
guidelines issued and measures prescribed under subsection (2) are
implemented.
(4) A person who—

(a) fails to observe the measures prescribed under subsection
(1); or
(b) otherwise disposes of waste in a hilly or mountainous
area, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to
a fine not exceeding thirty thousand currency points or
imprisonment not exceeding twelve years or both.
Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity.
59. Conservation of biological diversity.

agency, issue guidelines and prescribe measures for the conservation
of biological diversity.
(2) The Authority may, in issuing guidelines and prescribing

measures under subsection (1)—
(a) specify national strategies, plans and programmes for the
conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity;
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(b) integrate the conservation and sustainable utilisation of
biological resources in existing government activities and
activities of private persons;
(c) identify, prepare and maintain an inventory of biological
diversity of Uganda including indicative list of categories
set down in Schedule 7;
(d) determine which components of biological diversity are
threatened with extinction and those which offer the
greatest potential for sustainable use;
(e) identify potential threats to biological diversity and devise
measures to remove or investigate their effects;
(f) identify native and alien invasive species; and
(g) identify vermin to be managed under this Act.
60. Conservation of biological resources in situ.

The Authority may, in collaboration with the relevant lead agency,
issue guidelines and put in place measures—
(a) for the conservation of biological diversity in situ;
(b) for compatibility of land use patterns with the conservation
of biological diversity;
(c) to promote the conservation of the various terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems of Uganda;
(d) for the selection and management of buffer zones near
protected areas;
(e) for the protection of species, ecosystems and habitats
faced with extinction;
(f) for prohibiting, controlling or eradicating alien species;
(g) for integrating traditional knowledge for the conservation
of biological diversity with mainstream scientific
knowledge, and for equitable sharing of benefits arising
from the utilisation of such knowledge;
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(h) to ensure that there is no net loss of biological diversity, but
preferably a net gain;
(i) for the selection, establishment and management of
protected areas or areas where special measures need to be
undertaken to conserve biological diversity;
(j) for rehabilitation and restoration of degraded ecosystems
and to promote the recovery of threatened species; and
(k) any other matter which the Authority considers necessary
for the proper management of biological resources in
Uganda.
61. Conservation of biological resources ex situ.

(1) The Authority may, in collaboration with the relevant lead
agency, issue guidelines or put in place measures—
(a) for the conservation of biological diversity ex situ,

especially for species threatened with extinction;
(b) for the establishment and operation of—
(i) germplasm banks;
(ii) botanical gardens;
(iii) zoos;
(iv) animal sanctuaries;
(v) wildlife ranching; and
(vi) any other facilities considered necessary; and
(c) for managing collection of biological resources from
natural habitats for ex-situ conservation practices.
(2) The lead agency shall, in collaboration with the Authority,

ensure that species threatened with extinction which are conserved
ex situ are re-introduced into their native habitats and ecosystems
where—
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(a) the threat to the species has been terminated; or
(b) a viable population of the threatened species has been
achieved.
62. Access to the genetic resources of Uganda.

agency, make regulations to prescribe measures for the sustainable
management and utilisation of the genetic resources of Uganda for the
benefit of the people of Uganda.
(2) Without prejudice to the general effect of subsection (1), the
regulations shall specify—
(a) appropriate arrangements for access to the genetic
resources of Uganda by non-citizens of Uganda, including
the fees to be paid for access;
(b) measures for regulating the export and import of genetic
resources;
(c) the sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources
originating from Uganda; and
(d) any other matter which the Authority considers necessary for
the better management of the genetic resources of Uganda.
63. Management of genetically modified organisms.
The Authority may, in consultation with the relevant lead agency, issue
guidelines and prescribe measures—
(a) for the protection of the environment and management of
risks to human health from the development, access, use
and transfer of Genetically Modified Organisms; and
(b) for liability and redress in relation to genetically modified
organisms.
64. Management of forests.
(1) The lead agency may, in consultation with the Authority, issue
guidelines and prescribe measures for the management of forests in
Uganda.
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(2) The guidelines and measures issued or prescribed under
subsection (1) shall take into account—
(a) forests on land subject to interests held by private persons;
(b) forests in protected areas, including forest reserves and
national parks;
(c) measures to encourage the planting of trees and woodlots
by individual land users, institutions and communities;
(d) forests on public land or communal land; and
(e) forests in wetlands and in protection zones of riverbanks
and lakeshores.
(3) Forests shall be managed in accordance with the principle of
sustainable development.
(4) The commercial exploitation of any forest shall be carried out
in accordance with the principle of optimum sustainable yield.
(5)Traditional uses of forests which are indispensable to the local
communities and are compatible with the principle of sustainable
development shall be protected.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (3), (4) and (5), the lead agency
may prohibit human activities in any forest area by declaring a forest
area a specially protected forest.
65. Conservation of energy.

The lead agency may, in consultation with the Authority, promote the
conservation and efficient use of energy by—
(a) promoting research in appropriate renewable sources of
energy and energy efficiency;
(b) creating incentives for the promotion of renewable sources
of energy and energy efficiency; and
(c) promoting measures for the conservation of non-renewable
sources of energy and energy efficiency.
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66. Management of rangelands.
(1) The Authority may, in consultation with the relevant lead
agency, issue guidelines and prescribe measures for the sustainable
management and utilisation of rangelands.
(2) In issuing guidelines and prescribing measures under

subsection (1), the Authority shall be guided by—
(a) the carrying capacity of the land;
(b) the need to conserve soil and water;
(c) the risk of desertification faced by any rangelands;
(d) the use of other ecosystems within the rangeland; and
(e) any other factor which the Authority considers appropriate.
67. Payment for ecosystem services.

agency, identify activities and set up mechanisms for payment for
ecosystem services.
(2) The Authority may issue guidelines and prescribe measures

for the payment for ecosystem services.
(3) In issuing guidelines and prescribing measures under

subsection (2), the Authority shall consider—
(a) the mechanisms for identifying and valuing ecosystem
services that are critical for the environment and human
well-being;
(b) the instruments and incentives to generate, channel, transfer
and invest economic resources for the conservation,
restoration and sustainable use of the sources of ecosystem
services; and
(c) the criteria for the design of payment for ecosystem
schemes that ensure ecosystem sustainability.
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68. Protection of cultural and natural heritage.
(1) The lead agency may, in consultation with the Authority,
identify, protect, conserve, preserve and transmit for the benefit of
present and future generations—
(a) monuments, buildings, elements, objects and sites in the
natural environment which are of cultural importance to
the people of Uganda; and
(b) natural features, geological and physiographical formations
and natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of
outstanding universal value which are considered a natural
heritage for the people of Uganda.
(2) The lead agency shall maintain a register of cultural and

natural heritage identified under subsection (1).
(3)The lead agency may issue guidelines and prescribe measures

for the management or protection of cultural and natural heritage
identified under this section.
69. Management of climate change impacts on ecosystems.

(1) The lead agency may, in consultation with the Authority, put
in place guidelines and prescribe measures to—
(a) address the impacts of climate change on ecosystems,
including by improving the resilience of ecosystems,
promoting low carbon development and reducing
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,
sustainable management of forests and conservation of
forest carbon stock; and
(b) advise institutions, firms, sectors or individuals on
strategies to address the impacts of climate change,
including those related to the use of natural resources.
(2) The lead agency shall, within its mandate and in consultation
with the Authority—
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(a) take measures and issue guidelines to address the impacts
of climate change, including measures for mitigating and
adaptation to the effects of climate change; and
(b) liaise with other lead agencies to put in place strategies
and action plans to address climate change and its
effects.
(3) The Authority may liaise with the lead agency to assist
Government institutions, private sector, civil society and other
stakeholders to mainstream mitigation and adaptation strategies in
their planning and decision making processes.
Part VI—Sound Management of Chemicals

and Product Control
70. Prohibition or restriction on import, export, manufacture,

formulation, distribution and use of hazardous chemicals.
(1) The chemicals listed in Schedule 8 are prohibited or restricted.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may, in
consultation with the Authority by statutory instrument, prohibit or
restrict the import, export, manufacture, formulation, distribution
and use of hazardous chemicals or products containing hazardous
chemicals.
(3) A person shall not import, export, manufacture, formulate,
distribute or use hazardous chemicals or products containing
hazardous chemicals prohibited under subsection (1) and (2).
(4) A prohibition or restriction shall apply to any hazardous
chemical on its own, in a mixture or in a chemical product, including
those chemicals that do not require registration.
(5) A person shall not import, export, transport, store,
manufacture, formulate, distribute, sell or offer for sale any chemical
which has been adulterated, or which has decomposed or deteriorated
so as to be ineffective for its purpose or which is packed in containers
which have deteriorated or been damaged, rendering them hazardous
to store, handle or use.
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(6) Subject to subsection (2), a person who intends to export
prohibited or restricted chemicals shall submit to the Authority an
export notification with a document stating—
(a) the main purpose of the export and the name of the
receiving country; and
(b) the contents of the chemical.
(7) For the avoidance of doubt, the export of prohibited

chemicals under subsection (6) shall only be permitted for purposes
of disposal.
(8) A person shall not supply or misuse chemicals to harm any

person or the environment.
(9) This section shall not apply to chemicals or chemical products

or substances regulated under the Agricultural Chemicals Control Act,
2006, the Atomic Energy Act, 2008, the National Drug Policy and
Authority Act, Cap 206 and the Toxic Chemicals Prohibition Control
Act, 2016.
71. Management of hazardous chemicals and products

containing hazardous chemicals.
agency, establish criteria for the classification of hazardous chemicals
and products containing hazardous chemicals in accordance with
their toxicity and the hazards they present to human health and the
environment.
(2) The Minister shall, on the basis of the criteria established
under subsection (1), make regulations for the management of
hazardous chemicals and products containing hazardous chemicals.
(3)The Regulations made under subsection (2) shall provide for—
(a) the identification and registration of hazardous chemicals
and products containing hazardous chemicals;
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(b) labelling of hazardous chemicals and products containing
hazardous chemicals;
(c) packaging of hazardous chemicals and products
containing hazardous chemicals;
(d) advertising of hazardous chemicals and products
containing hazardous chemicals;
(e) control of import, export and transit of hazardous chemicals
and products containing hazardous chemicals;
(f) use of hazardous chemicals and products containing
hazardous chemicals, including acid and bases;
(g) distribution, storage, transportation and handling of
hazardous chemicals and products containing hazardous
chemicals;
(h) disposal of expired and utilised hazardous chemicals and
products containing hazardous chemicals;
(i) prohibition or restriction of hazardous chemicals and
products containing hazardous chemicals;
(j) monitoring water bodies, soils or any other receiving
environment for any spill of hazardous chemicals and
contamination;
(k) monitoring of the effect of hazardous chemicals and their
residue on human health and the environment;
(l) a register of all hazardous chemicals manufactured,
package used, exported or imported into Uganda; and
(m) transboundary collaboration to manage hazardous
chemical spills, especially across national borders.
72. Registration of hazardous chemicals.
agency, cause to be registered in a manner prescribed by regulations—
(a) hazardous chemicals or products containing hazardous
chemicals imported, exported, manufactured, packaged or
used in Uganda;
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(b) hazardous chemical substances or products containing
hazardous chemicals declared as hazardous waste by the
Authority; and
(c) hazardous chemicals or products containing hazardous
chemicals which may be progressively replaced by suitable
alternatives.
(2) The register of hazardous chemicals made under subsection

(1) shall be accessible to the public.
73. Licence to deal in hazardous chemicals or products

(1) Subject to section 70, a person shall not, without a licence
issued by the Authority—
(a) import, export or use hazardous chemicals or products
containing hazardous chemicals; or
(b) manufacture, store or sell hazardous chemicals or materials
(2) The Minister may make regulations for the procedure for
grant of licence under subsection (1).
74. Management of products containing mercury, lead, cyanide,

arsenic and polonium.
agency, establish a criteria for—
(a) the management of mercury or mercury compounds, lead,
cyanide, arsenic and polonium in manufacturing or mining
processes;
(b) the management of products containing mercury, lead,
cyanide, arsenic and polonium; and
(c) the provision of alternatives to products containing
mercury, lead, cyanide, arsenic and polonium.
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(2) The Minister may, by regulations, prohibit the manufacture,
import, export or use of mercury, lead, cyanide, arsenic and polonium
added products after their phase-out dates, except where they are
excluded or exempted.
(3)A person shall not import, export, manufacture or use mercury,

lead, cyanide, arsenic and polonium added products prohibited under
subsection (2).
75. Management of ozone depleting substances and products.

agency, undertake research and other studies and give due recognition
to developments in scientific knowledge on substances, activities
and practices that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and other
components of the stratosphere to the detriment of human health and
the environment.

agency, issue guidelines and undertake programmes relating to—
(a) the elimination of substances, technologies and equipment
that deplete the ozone layer, including ozone friendly
substances that contribute to global warming;
(b) practices and activities likely to lead to the degradation of
the stratospheric ozone layer; and
(c) the reduction and minimisation of risks to human health
and the environment created by the degradation of the
stratospheric ozone layer.
76. Management of plastics and plastic products.

(1) The import, export, local manufacture, use or re-use of
categories of plastic carrier bags or plastic products made of polymers
of ethene (polythene) and propylene (polypropylene) is prohibited,
except for plastic carrier bags or plastic products made of polymers
of ethene (polythene) and propylene (polypropylene) of above thirty
microns and those listed under Schedule 9.
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(2) Subject to subsection (1), the Minister shall, in consultation
with the Authority, lead agencies and relevant stakeholders, establish
criteria for the documentation, handling, storage, recycling, re-use and
disposal of plastics and plastic products.
(3) A person who manufactures or imports plastics or plastic
products shall as a precondition for continued operation—
(a) ensure that recycling is part of that person’s active
operations;
(b) label the plastics or plastic product; and
(c) put in place a mechanism that is satisfactory to the Minister
to buy back or remove from the environment plastic and
plastic products.
(4) The Uganda National Bureau of Standards established
under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act shall enforce
the provisions of sub section (1).
(5) A person to whom subsection (3) applies shall annually
report to the Authority on the person’s compliance with this section.
(6) The Authority shall certify whether the person in subsection
(5) has complied with the provisions of this section.
77. Use of circulative resources.

The Authority may, by statutory instrument, require a person engaged
in production processes or any other person to make use of non-
hazardous circulative resources extracted from waste materials by
recirculating the resources in the production process in conformity
with the waste management hierarchy.
Part VII—Control of Pollution and Environmental

Emergency Preparedness.
78. Prohibition of pollution.
(1) A person shall not cause pollution or initiate anything that
may occasion a risk of pollution, except in accordance with this Act
and any other applicable law.
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(2) Subject to subsection (1), a person whose activities are likely
to cause pollution shall put in place measures to prevent the pollution
from occurring, including by use of best available techniques and best
environmental practices.
(3) Where any law permits venting or flaring of gases and

other particulate matter into the atmosphere for normal operational
purposes or emergency situations, the person who vents or flares shall
take measures to minimise the pollution caused by the flaring or
venting.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the venting or flaring referred to

in subsection (3) shall be in compliance with the air quality standards
prescribed under this Act.
(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), the Authority may

issue a licence for the control of pollution, in accordance with this
Act and regulations made under this Act for activities likely to cause
pollution.
79. Measures to take in event of pollution.

(1) Subject to section 78(1), where pollution has occurred contrary
to this Act, regulations made under this Act, any other applicable law,
environmental standards or conditions of a licence issued under section
78(5), the person responsible for the pollution shall—
(a) take the necessary action to stop further pollution and
minimise the impacts of the pollution on human health and
the environment;
(b) give notice of the pollution to the Authority and the relevant
lead agency in the manner prescribed by regulations;
(c) take steps to mitigate any damage or nuisance resulting
from the pollution or from measures to counteract it;
(d) take steps to clean up and restore the environment as near
as possible to its original state; and
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(e) pay compensation for the damage caused in accordance
with this Act and any other applicable law.
(2)Where the person responsible for the pollution fails to comply
with the requirements of subsection (1), the Authority may—
(a) order the person to stop the activities causing the pollution;
(b) order the person to implement the measures prescribed
under subsection (1);
(c) implement the measures under subsection (1) at the cost of
the person responsible for the pollution;
(d) revoke a licence if the activity is licensed; and
(e) carry out any other measures the Authority deems
necessary.
80. Polluter’s liability.

(1) A person who pollutes the environment contrary to this Act
or any other applicable law is strictly liable for any damage caused to
human health or the environment, regardless of fault.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person who does an act or
makes an omission that may aggravate the damage or nuisance caused
by earlier pollution is equally and jointly responsible for the pollution.
81. Pollution control licences.

(1) The Board shall appoint a technical committee on control of
pollution in accordance with section 21, composed of such persons as
the Board may determine.
(2) The Executive Director shall be the chairperson of the
technical committee on control of pollution.
(3) The technical committee on control of pollution appointed by
the Board under subsection (1) shall—
(a) consider applications for pollution licences;
(b) issue pollution licences; and
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(c) preform any other functions assigned to it by the Board.
(4) A person shall not carry out an activity likely to pollute the
air, water or land in excess of any standards or guidelines prescribed or
issued under this Act except under and in accordance with a pollution
control licence.
(5) The technical committee shall not issue a pollution control

licence unless it is satisfied that the licensee is capable of compensating
the victims of the pollution and of cleaning the environment in
accordance with the “polluter pays principle’ as provided for under
this Act.
82. Application for a pollution control licence.

(1) An application for a pollution control licence to carry on an
activity which is likely to pollute land, water or air in excess of the
standards or guidelines prescribed or issued under this Act shall be
made to the committee in a manner prescribed by regulations.
(2) Any proprietary information submitted to the technical

committee shall be treated as confidential.
83. Consideration of the application by the technical committee.

(1) Upon receiving the application for a pollution control licence
under section 82, the technical committee shall—
(a) within thirty days, notify persons who may be affected by
the proposed activity of the applicant and invite them to
make representations;
(b) consider representations made by the relevant lead
agency;
(c) consider the application having regard to all the
representations received by the technical committee under
paragraph (a) and (b); and
(d) grant or reject the application.
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(2) The technical committee may, before granting or rejecting an
application under subsection (1)—
(a) require that an environmental and social impact assessment
be conducted in accordance with Part X of this Act, having
regard to the nature of the activity requested and the
pollution likely to result from that activity; and
(b) request the applicant to furnish further information relating
to the plant location, material or technology design.
(3) Where the committee rejects an application for a pollution
control licence, it shall state in writing its reasons for the rejection.
84. Conditions in pollution control licence.

(1) A pollution control licence issued under this Act shall be
in the prescribed form, and be subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed or as may be specified in the licence.
(2) A pollution control licence issued under this Act shall remain
valid for such period and may be renewed for such further period as
may be prescribed by regulations.
85. Fees for pollution control licence.

(1) An application under section 82 or 86 shall be accompanied
by the prescribed fee.
(2) The fee to be charged under subsection (1) shall be determined

in accordance with the “polluter pays principle” referred to in section
81, and accordingly—
(a) the person contributing the greater amount of pollution
shall bear the largest burden in paying for clean up of the
environment; and
(b) the fees shall be used to promote behavior that conserves
the environment by charging less fees for activities that
reduce pollution.
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86. Renewal of pollution control licence.
(1) A licensee may apply to the committee for the renewal of a
pollution control licence in the prescribed form.
(2) The technical committee shall consider each application for
renewal of a licence within three months from the date of submission
of a complete application.
(3) The technical committee may, after considering the

application under subsection (2)—
(a) renew the pollution control licence;
(b) reject the application; or
(c) request for further information.
(4) The technical committee shall, in making a decision under

subsection (3), take into account the following—
(a) whether the applicant has observed the conditions
established in the previous licence;
(b) whether the applicant has taken measures to abate the
pollution;
(c) the effect of the pollution in the area where it is discharged
or emitted; and
(d) any other matter that the committee considers necessary.
87. Cancellation of pollution control licence.

The technical committee may, in writing, cancel a pollution control
licence—
(a) where the holder of the licence contravenes any provision
of this Act or any other applicable law;
(b) where the holder of the licence fails to comply with any
condition specified in the licence;
(c) where the committee considers it to be in the interest of
the environment or in the public interest to cancel the
licence.
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88. Register of pollution control licence.
(1) The Authority shall maintain a register of all pollution control
licences issued under this Act.
(2) The register shall be a public document and may be inspected
at any reasonable hour by any person, upon the payment of the
prescribed fee.
Acute Pollution and Emergency Preparedness

and Response System.
89. Duty to have emergency response system against acute
pollution.
(1) In addition to the requirements under sections 78 and 79,
a person engaged in an activity likely to cause acute pollution shall
establish an emergency preparedness and response system designed to
prevent, detect, stop, remove or limit the impact of the pollution.
(2) The emergency preparedness and response system
established under subsection (1) shall include a contingency plan.
(3) The emergency preparedness and response system shall be
in reasonable proportion to the probability of acute pollution and the
extent of the damage and nuisance that may arise.
(4) The Authority may require persons involved in similar
activities or activities located in the same geographical area to
cooperate in the establishment or implementation of joint emergency
preparedness and response systems.
(5) The Minister may, in consultation with the Authority and
the relevant lead agency, by regulations prescribe measures relating
to emergency preparedness and response systems required under this
section.
90. Notification of acute pollution.
(1) In the event of acute pollution or risk of acute pollution, the
person responsible shall immediately notify the nearest police, the
Authority and the relevant lead agency in the manner prescribed by
the Authority.
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where any other person
observes an event of acute pollution or risk of acute pollution, the
person shall immediately notify the nearest police station and where
possible, the person responsible for the pollution and the Authority.
91. Response to acute pollution.

(1) In the event of acute pollution or risk of acute pollution, the
person responsible for the pollution shall, in addition to the measures
under section 79(1), immediately implement the emergency
preparedness and response system prepared under section 89 to avoid
or minimize harm to human health and damage to the environment.
(2) During pollution clean-up operations, the polluter shall
keep the Authority, the police and the lead agency informed, and the
Authority may provide the necessary assistance or request assistance
from the relevant government department.
92. National and lead agency emergency preparedness and
response systems, contingency plans and other plans.
(1) A lead agency shall, in consultation with the Authority, provide
for emergency preparedness and response systems, contingency
plans and other plans for minor incidents of acute pollution that may
occur or cause damage within the jurisdiction of the lead agency.
(2) The Minister shall, in consultation with the Authority and the
relevant lead agency, provide for emergency preparedness and response
systems, contingency plans and other plans for major incidents of acute
pollution to supplement the emergency preparedness and response
systems, contingency plan or other plan prepared by the lead agency
under subsection (1).
(3) The Minister may, by regulations, prescribe the format
and content of emergency preparedness and response systems,
contingency plans or other plans to be made under this section.
(4) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, prescribe
institutions and facilities that must prepare specific emergency
preparedness and response systems, contingency plans or other plans.
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(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the following facilities
shall have specific emergency preparedness and response system or
contingency plans—
(a) educational institutions;
(b) hotels;
(c) recreational facilities;
(d) hospitals; and
(e) commercial buildings, including markets.
(6) An emergency preparedness and response system,

contingency plan or other plan prepared under subsection (5) shall
take into account the risks faced by the institution or facility and the
environmental risk assessment, where applicable.
93. National Oil Spill Contingency Preparedness and Response.

(1) The Office of the Prime Minister shall, in consultation with
the Authority, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and any other
relevant lead agency, establish a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan
in the manner prescribed by regulations.
(2) The Plan referred to under subsection (1) shall establish a
national framework and command structure for planning, preparation
and response to oil spills on land and water bodies in Uganda, and for
the management of oil spills of a transboundary nature.
(3) The Petroleum Authority of Uganda, established under
the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act,
2013, is designated as the Competent National Authority for the
implementation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
(4) The Petroleum Authority of Uganda, may, in consultation
with the Office of the Prime Minister, on its own assessment or on the
advice of the Authority, determine whether the Government should
take over command of an oil spill response operation in a manner
prescribed by regulations and in accordance with the National Oil
Spill Contingency Plan.
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(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the person responsible for
an oil spill shall—
(a) continue the oil spill response operations under the
command of the national incident commander provided
for under the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan; and
(b) remain liable for the effects of the oil spill and response
operations in accordance with this Act, regulations made
under this Act and any other applicable law.
94. Duty to provide assistance in case of acute pollution.

(1) A lead agency or the Authority may request any person with
a duty to establish an emergency preparedness and response system
under section 89 to place at its disposal equipment and personnel
during emergency response operations, and may request other lead
agencies to provide assistance to the extent possible.
(2) The Office of the Prime Minister may, during an event of acute
pollution treated as an environmental disaster under section 95(1),
require a person with a duty to establish an emergency preparedness
and response system in accordance with section 89 or a lead agency to
provide equipment and personnel to respond to the event.
95. Preparedness for environmental emergencies and disasters.

(1) The Office of the Prime Minister may, in consultation
with the Authority, declare an incident, occurrence or event as an
environmental emergency or disaster.
(2) The Office of the Prime Minister shall, by regulations
establish a coordination mechanism for national responses to
environmental emergencies and disasters.
(3) The coordination mechanism under subsection (1) shall
include the participation of the following—
(a) the Office of the Prime Minister
(b) the Authority;
(c) the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces;
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(d) the Uganda Police Force;
(e) the Fire Brigade Service;
(f) organisations providing healthcare; whether
governmental or nongovernmental; and
(g) any relevant lead agency or organisation.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the

responsibility of the person responsible for the activity causing the
incident, occurrence or event under this Act or any applicable law.
Part VIII—Management of Waste.

96. Duty to manage waste.
(1)A person who generates or handles waste shall be responsible
for its proper management in accordance with this Act, the principles
of the circular economy referred to in section 5(2)(p), and the waste
management hierarchy and measures prescribed by regulations.
(2)The person responsible for managing waste under subsection

(1) shall take such steps as are necessary to prevent pollution arising
from such management and where pollution occurs, to minimise the
consequences of the pollution on human health and the environment.
(3) A person engaged in petroleum activities under the

Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act, 2013 or
midstream operations under the Petroleum (Refining, Conversion,
Transmission and Midstream Storage) Act, 2013 shall be responsible
for the proper management of petroleum waste in accordance with the
applicable law.
97. Prohibition of littering.

(1) Littering is prohibited.
(2) A person, who owns or occupies any dwelling or commercial

premises, is responsible for waste generated at those premises until it
is collected by the authorised person.
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(3) A person driving a vehicle is responsible for the sanitary
condition of the vehicle and for the waste generated in the vehicle.
(4) A person shall not place, deposit or allow any waste to be
placed or deposited on his or her premises or on private property, on
a public street, roadside, or in a ditch, river, stream, lake, pond, canal,
channel, park, gulch, ravine, excavation, or other place where it may
be or become a public health nuisance.
(5) Subsection (4) shall not be construed to prevent the approved
placement of waste for collection purposes in accordance with this Act.
(6) The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, issue regulations,
prescribing additional provisions relating to littering.
(7) The regulations referred to in subsection (6) shall, among

others, provide for—
(a) specific functions of local leaders to manage waste;
(b) responsibilities for owners or occupants of any premise
or vehicle;
(c) categories of waste;
(d) containment of waste;
(e) storage of waste;
(f) transportation of waste;
(g) collection of waste; and
(h) disposal of waste.
(8) For purposes of this Act, “littering” means disposing waste

in a place not designated as a disposal area or waste collection point.
(9) A person who contravenes subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4)
commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding
five hundred and fifty currency points.
(10) A person who deposits hazardous waste on his or her
premises or on private property, on a public street, roadside, or in a
ditch, river, stream, lake, pond, canal, channel, park, gulch, ravine,
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excavation, or other place commits the offence of aggravated littering
and is liable, on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or both.
(11) In addition to the penalty prescribed in subsections (9) or

(10) the person convicted may be required to remove the substance
littered and to properly dispose it off or be subjected to an express
penalty prescribed under section 174.
(12) In this section, “vehicle” includes a machine or implement

of any kind drawn or propelled along roads whether by animal,
mechanical, electrical or any other motive power.
98. Extended producer responsibility and product stewardship.

(1) A person who develops, manufactures or processes any
product shall minimise the waste generated from the production
processes by adopting the following measures—
(a) improvement of production processes;
(b) monitoring the product cycle from beginning to end; and
(c) incorporating measures and technologies that deliver the
best overall environmental outcome in the design and
disposal of a product.
(2) The Minister may, by regulations, require a person who

manufactures, imports, distributes or sells a substance, preparation or
other product to—
(a) take in the product after use;
(b) ensure that measures are taken to recover or dispose of the
product in a manner prescribed by regulations; or
(c) ensure that the product is transferred, after it is taken in, to
a person required by regulations to be responsible for its
proper disposal.
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(3) The Authority may make regulations for the management of
special categories of waste with hazardous properties.
99. General prohibition on import and export of waste.

(1) A person shall not import waste into Uganda for treatment or
disposal, except as may be prescribed by regulations.
(2) The Authority shall not permit the export of waste—

(a) to a country which has prohibited the import of such waste
with notification to Uganda;
(b) to a country which has not prohibited the import of waste,
except with the written consent of that country to the
specific import; or
(c) if the Authority has reason to believe that the waste in
question will not be managed in an environmentally sound
manner.
(3) A person who imports any waste into Uganda for disposal or
contrary to this Act shall be responsible for the removal of the waste
from Uganda and for its re-export or safe disposal.
(4) A person who imports waste into Uganda shall be liable for
any damage to human health or to the environment caused by the
waste imported.
100. Licence to export waste.

(1) A person who intends to export waste shall apply for a licence
from the Authority in the manner prescribed by regulations.
(2) An application for a licence under subsection (1) shall be

accompanied by movement documents with respect to the export in a
manner prescribed by regulations.
(3) The Authority may grant a licence for the export of waste
from Uganda, where it is satisfied that the applicant has, subject to
section 99(2), obtained the consent of the country to which the waste is
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being exported and where applicable, the country through which the
applicant intends to move the waste.
(4) Before granting a licence under subsection (3), the Authority

shall notify the Designated National Authority of the state into which
the waste is to be exported, by sending a copy of the movement
document received from the applicant.
(5) The Authority may grant a licence for the export of waste
upon such conditions as it may deem necessary.
101. Transboundary movement of waste.

(1) The Authority is the Designated National Authority for the
operation of the prior informed consent procedure for the import,
export, transit or other transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
(2) The Authority shall cooperate with Designated National

Authorities of other states under international conventions or
arrangements to which Uganda is a party and international
organisations with competence in the management of transboundary
movement of hazardous waste.
(3) The Authority shall make available to the public, information

on transboundary movement of hazardous waste and other waste and
related effects on human health and the environment.
(4) A person shall not engage in the transboundary movement of

hazardous waste or other waste except in accordance with regulations
made under this Act.
(5) A person transporting waste through Uganda shall—

(a) ensure that the Authority and the relevant lead agencies
have been notified and have authorised the transportation;
(b) ensure that the waste transported conforms to national
standards and accompanying movement documents;
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(c) ensure that the waste is not disposed of in Uganda;
(d) ensure that the transboundary movement of waste is
reduced to the minimum consistent with environmentally
sound and efficient management of such waste; and
(e) ensure that the transboundary movement of waste is
conducted in a manner that protects human health and the
environment against the adverse effects which may result
from such movement.
102. Classification and management of hazardous waste.

(1) The Minister shall, by regulations, classify waste as
hazardous wastes, taking into account the following characteristics—
(a) corrosiveness;
(b) carcinogenicity;
(c) flammability;
(d) persistence;
(e) toxicity;
(f) explosiveness;
(g) radioactivity;
(h) infectiousness;
(i) reactivity; otherwise than as described in paragraphs (a) to
(h); and
(j) any other characteristic the Authority may consider
necessary.
(2) Regulations made under subsection (1) shall provide for the
management of hazardous waste.
Part IX—Establishment of Environmental

Standards.
103. Air quality standards.
agencies—
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(a) establish the criteria and procedure for the measurement of
air quality;
(b) prescribe ambient air quality standards and other air quality
standards;
(c) prescribe emission standards for various sources; and
(d) establish criteria and issue guidelines for air pollution
control for mobile, stationary and other sources.

agency, take measures to control air pollution by—
(a) requiring the redesign of existing industrial plants or the
introduction of new and appropriate technology or both;
(b) requiring the reduction or elimination of existing sources
of air pollution; and
(e) making guidelines to minimise emissions of greenhouse
gases.
104. Standards for the control of noxious smells.

The Authority shall, in consultation with the relevant lead agency,
establish—
(a) procedures for the measurement and determination of
noxious smells;
(b) minimum standards for the control of pollution of the
environment by smell; and
(c) guidelines for measures leading to the abatement of
obnoxious smells, whether from human activities or from
naturally occurring phenomena.
105. Standards for effluent discharge.

The Authority may, in consultation with the relevant lead agency—
(a) establish standards for effluent discharge;

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(b) prescribe measures for the treatment of any effluent before
discharge into the environment; or
(c) require that a developer or operator undertakes such works
as it considers necessary for the treatment of effluent before
its discharge.
106. Standards for the control of effects of vibration and

pollution caused by noise.
agency—
the effects of vibration and noise pollution;
(b) prescribe minimum standards for noise and vibration;
(c) issue guidelines for the abatement of unreasonable noise
and vibration from any source; and
(d) take measurement of the levels of noise emanating from
all sources, details of which measurements shall be given
to the owner or occupier of the premises from which the
measurement was taken for their action.
agency—
subsonic vibrations;
(b) prescribe standards for the emission of subsonic vibrations
which are likely to have a significant impact on the
environment; and
(c) issue guidelines for the minimisation of subsonic vibrations
referred to in paragraph (b) from existing and future sources.
(3) The Authority may, on request grant a temporary permit
not exceeding three months, allowing emission of noise in excess of
established standards for such activities as fireworks, demolitions,
firing ranges and specific heavy industry, on such terms and conditions
as the Authority may determine.
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(4) Where an exemption has been granted under subsection (3),
any person exposed to excessive levels of noise shall be adequately
protected in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Authority.
107. Soil quality standards.

agency—
(a) establish the criteria and procedure for the measurement
and determination of soil quality, including sampling
methods and soil analysis; and
(b) prescribe minimum standards for the management of the
quality of the soil.
(2) For purposes of subsection (1), the Authority may, in

collaboration with the relevant lead agency, issue guidelines and
prescribe measures for—
(a) the disposal of any substance in the soil;
(b) the identification of various soils;
(c) the optimum utilisation of any soil;
(d) the practices that will conserve soil;
(e) the prohibition of practices that degrade soil; and
(f) clean-up and restoration of contaminated soil.
108. Standards for minimisation of radiation.

agency, ensure the establishment of—
(a) criteria and procedures for the measurement of ionising
and other radiation; and
(b) standards for the minimisation of ionising and other
radiation in the environment.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the relevant lead agency
may issue guidelines and measures for—
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(a) monitoring radiation;
(b) minimum protective measures to be taken against radiation;
(c) inspection of premises, areas, vehicles, and vessels
contaminated by radiation;
(d) the control of the effects of the radiation; and
(e) safe practices to protect persons involved in activities
prone to radiation exposure.
109. Other standards and procedures.

agency, establish standards for other matters and activities that may be
deleterious to human health or to the environment.
agency, establish such criteria and procedures as it may consider
necessary for the determination of the standards established under
subsection (1).
Part X—Environmental and Social Assessment.
110. Purpose of environmental and social assessments.
(1) The purpose of environmental and social assessments
undertaken under this Act and regulations made under this Act is to
evaluate environmental and social impacts, risks or other concerns
of a given project or activity, taking into account the environmental
principles set out in section 5(2).
(2) The Authority shall categorise projects or activities under this

Part, based on—
(a) the nature and scale of the proposed project or activity;
(b) the documented impacts of similar or related projects or
activities previously undertaken in Uganda; and
(c) the anticipated magnitude of the environmental, social,
economic and cultural impacts of the proposed project or
activity.
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111. Responsibility of developer.
(1) A developer shall ensure that a person carrying out an
environmental and social assessment for him or her, either personally
or by employees, contractors or sub-contractors, complies with this
Act, regulations made under this Act, any other applicable law and
administrative decisions.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, a developer is responsible for

the quality of the assessment undertaken by any person referred to in
subsection (1).
(3) The developer shall use and integrate environmental
and social impact assessment, human rights risk assessment and
environmental risk assessment in the project design.
112. Projects for which project briefs are required.

(1) A developer of a project set out in Schedule 4 to this Act
shall undertake an environmental and social impact assessment by
way of project brief.
(2) The developer of a project set out in Part I of Schedule 4
to this Act shall submit a project brief to the Authority in the manner
prescribed by regulations.
(3) A developer of a project set out in Part II of Schedule 4 shall
submit a project brief to the lead agency in the manner prescribed by
regulations.
(4) Where there is more than one lead agency, the lead agency
to which the project brief is submitted shall consult with the other lead
agencies in the consideration of the project.
(5) Where the Authority, in consultation with the lead agency,

is satisfied that the project referred to in subsection (2) is likely not to
have significant adverse impacts on human health or the environment
or that the project brief contains sufficient mitigation measures to cope
with the anticipated impacts, it may approve the project.
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(6) Where the Authority finds that the project in subsection (2)
is likely to have significant adverse impacts on the environment or
that the project brief does not disclose sufficient mitigation measures
to cope with anticipated impacts, the Authority may reject the project
or may require the developer to undertake an environmental and social
impact assessment.
113. Categorisation of projects for purposes of environmental and

social impact assessments.
(1) A developer of a project set out in Schedule 5 shall—
(a) conduct an environmental and social impact assessment
by way of scoping;
(b) prepare terms of reference for an environmental and social
impact study; and
(c) undertake an environmental and social impact study as
(2) A developer of a project proposed to be located in or near the
environmentally sensitive areas listed in Schedule 10 may be required to
undertake scoping, prepare terms of reference for an environmental and
social impact study and undertake an environmental and social impact
study as prescribed by regulation.
(3) Subject to Schedules 5 and 10, a project or activity set out
in Schedule 11 is exempt from an environmental and social impact
assessment, unless the Authority determines that the project or activity
is likely to have cumulative negative impacts on human health or the
environment.
(4) The environmental and social impact assessment undertaken
under this section shall assess the potential impacts of individual
projects and their contribution to the total cumulative effect.
114. Environmental risk assessments.
(1) The Authority may require a developer to undertake an
environmental risk assessment as part of the process of environmental
and social impact assessment.
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(2) A person shall conduct an environmental risk assessment in
the manner prescribed by regulations where—
(a) the introduction of new species into the ecosystem or
control of species of flora or fauna may be invasive or pose
a threat to the environment;
(b) the activity may contribute to increasing the vulnerability
of or lead to extinction of species;
(c) the activity is likely to impact on critical habitats, species
of concern or cultural or natural heritage;
(d) the activity requires the introduction of technologies,
chemicals or processes that have the effect of creating
high ecological risks;
(e) there is introduction of genetically modified organisms
into the country;
(f) there is introduction of new methods or substances for
combating or controlling insects, other organisms or weeds;
(g) the activity may cause acute pollution;
(h) the activity relates to the handling of petroleum
commodities or products throughout their value chain;
(i) the activity is near an airport or aerodrome and is likely to
impact on aircraft operations.
(2) The Minister may, by regulations, prescribe additional activities

that require developers to undertake environmental risk assessments.
(3) An environmental risk assessment conducted under
subsection (1) shall include hazard identification, vulnerability
analysis, risk analysis and risk response action.
115. Mitigation hierarchy, biodiversity or other offset and

compensation mechanisms.
(1) A developer shall, when designing a project for which an
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environmental and social impact assessment or environmental risk
assessment is required, apply the mitigation hierarchy principles.
(2) The Authority shall, in reviewing an environmental and social

impact study, evaluate the application of the mitigation principles in the
proposals submitted, before allowing the application of biodiversity
offsets or other offset and compensation mechanisms.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), biodiversity offsets, other offsets and
compensation mechanisms may be applied to address residual impacts.
(4) Where a biodiversity offset, other offset or compensation

mechanism is considered, the developer shall design and implement
it to address residual impacts and to achieve measurable conservation
outcomes that can reasonably be expected to result in no net loss and
preferably a net gain of biodiversity or other benefits.
(5) Subject to subsection (4), the Authority shall require a net
gain in respect of projects in critical habitats or projects that may
impact species of concern.
(6) The biodiversity or other offsets or compensation mechanism
referred to in subsection (4) shall be designed and funded by the
developer as long as the impacts exist or preferably in perpetuity.
(7) The design of a biodiversity or other offset or compensation
mechanism shall adhere to the “like-for-like or better” principle and
shall be undertaken in accordance with best available information and
in the manner prescribed by regulations.
(8) The Authority may issue guidelines for biodiversity offsets,
other offsets and compensation mechanisms based on best practice.
116. Decommissioning of projects.

(1) The Authority may require a developer or operator of a project
to whom this Act applies to submit a preliminary decommissioning
plan as part of a project brief or environmental and social impact
statement.
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agency, require a developer or operator of a project approved under this
Act, to undertake decommissioning in accordance with the approved
decommissioning plan and international best practice, at his or her own
cost, before final closure of the project or completion of activities.
(3) A person required to decommission a project under
subsection (2) or who wishes to voluntarily decommission shall
submit a detailed decommissioning plan to the Authority, at least 12
months or such shorter period as the Authority may determine, before
the intended project closure.
(4) The Authority may require the developer or operator of a

project or activity referred to in subsection (3) to deposit a financial
security in accordance with section 141.
(5) For the avoidance of doubt, decommissioning of petroleum
activities or facilities and midstream operations or facilities shall
be dealt with in accordance with the Petroleum (Exploration,
Development and Production) Act, 2013 and the Petroleum
(Refining, Conversion, Transmission and Midstream Storage) Act,
2013, respectively.
Part XI—Environmental Easements.

117. Environmental easements.
(1) An environmental easement may be granted, in accordance
with the applicable law, to facilitate the conservation and enhancement
of the environment, in this Act referred to as the benefited environment,
through the imposition of one or more obligations in respect of the use
of land or area, in this Act referred to as the burdened land or ecosystem,
being land or area in the vicinity of the benefited environment.
(2) An environmental easement may be imposed on, and shall

thereafter attach to, the burdened land or ecosystem in perpetuity or
for a term of years or for an equivalent interest under customary law
as the court may determine.
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(3) The validity and enforceability of an environmental
easement granted under subsection (1) shall not be dependent on the
existence of land in the vicinity of the burdened land or ecosystem
which can be benefited, or of a person with an interest in that land who
can be benefited by the environmental easement.
(4) Without prejudice to the general effect of subsection (1),

an environmental easement may be imposed on burdened land or
ecosystems to—
(a) preserve or conserve flora, fauna and the ecosystem in
general;
(b) preserve the quality and flow of water in a dam, lake, river
or aquifer;
(c) preserve or conserve any outstanding geological, physio-
graphical, ecological, archaeological or historical features
of the burdened land;
(d) preserve a view;
(e) preserve open space;
(f) permit persons to walk in a defined path or area across the
burdened land;
(g) preserve or conserve the natural contours and features of
the burdened land;
(h) prevent or restrict the scope of any activity on the burdened
land which has as its object, the mining and working of
minerals or aggregates;
(i) prevent or restrict the scope of any agricultural activity on
the burdened land; or
(j) create and maintain works on burdened land to limit or
prevent harm to the environment.
118. Application for an environmental easement.

(1) A person may apply to court for the grant of an environmental
easement.
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(2) An application for the grant of an environmental easement
shall be in accordance with the applicable laws or the procedure
prescribed by court.
119. Grant of environmental easements.

(1) Court may, on an application made under section 118, grant
an environmental easement, subject to this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), court may require the
person applying for an environmental easement under section 118 to
conduct an environmental and social impact assessment in accordance
with this Act before the grant of the environmental easement.
(3) court may, on grant of an environmental easement under
this section, make an order for compensation, taking into account any
existing right or interest to the use of the burdened land, the restriction
to that right or interest occasioned by the environmental easement, the
provisions of the Constitution and any other applicable law.
120. Registration of environmental easement.

(1) Where an environmental easement is granted on registered
land, the environmental easement shall be registered in accordance
with the Registration of Titles Act.
(2) Where an environmental easement is granted on any land
other than land referred to in subsection (1), the urban or district
council of the area in which that land is situated shall register the
environmental easement in a register established for the purpose.
(3) In addition to any matter which is required by any law relating

to the registration of easements to be included in the registration, the
registration of an environmental easement shall include the name of
the person granted the environmental easement.
121. Enforcement of environmental easements.

(1) A person granted an environmental easement and who has
been registered, may request court to—
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(a) grant an environmental restoration order in accordance
with section 130; or
(b) grant any remedy available under the law relating to
easements.
(2) Court may, in considering issues relating to environmental
easements, apply the laws relating to easements with necessary
modifications.
Part XII—Environmental Compliance and Enforcement

122. Environmental and compliance monitoring.
(1) The lead agency may, in collaboration with the Authority,
continuously measure, evaluate and track—
(a) any environmental phenomena against a baseline or
available environmental information with a view to making
an assessment of any possible changes in the environment
and their actual or potential impacts, whether short term or
long term;
(b) the operation of a project using defined parameters and
measurable indicators to determine the project’s short-
term and long-term effects on human health and the
environment; and
(c) compliance with environmental laws, environmental
standards and conditions in permits, licences and other
approvals.
(2) A developer shall monitor the project and any environmental

phenomena of the project—
(a) to assess and mitigate its possible impacts on human health
or the environment.
(b) to ensure conformity with environmental laws,
environmental standards and conditions in permits, licences
and other approvals;
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(c) to ensure the effectiveness of mitigation measures; and
(d) to ensure delivery of conservation outcomes required to
achieve either a no net loss or a net gain when a biodiversity
or other offset or compensation mechanism has been
implemented to address residual impact.
(3) Where an environmental management and monitoring plan
is required as part of an environmental and social impact statement,
the developer or operator shall monitor the project against the
measurable actions and targets of the environmental management
and monitoring plan.
(4) Unless otherwise specified by the Authority or lead agency

in writing, or in conditions in permits, licences or other approvals, a
developer shall undertake the monitoring referred to under subsection
(2) in a regular and timely manner and with a frequency and manner
commensurate with the nature of the project.
(5) The Authority shall, upon detecting any non-compliance by

a developer with the requirements of this section, notify the developer
in writing and require the developer to bring the project to comply
with the requirements of this Act.
(6) A developer shall maintain proper records of the monitoring

undertaken under subsection (2), which shall be made available to the
Authority or lead agency upon request.
(7) A lead agency or the Authority may require the developer to

submit monitoring reports in a prescribed form.
123. Laboratory analysis.

(1) The Authority or an authorised officer may, as part of the
environmental and compliance monitoring process, conduct or require
a laboratory analysis of any matter, substance, process or material
to ensure compliance with environmental laws, environmental
standards or conditions in licences, permits and other approvals.
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(2) A laboratory analysis conducted under subsection (1) shall
determine the composition, quality or effect of the matter, substance,
process or material; whether physical, chemical or biological, on
human health and the environment.
(3) The Authority may, on the advice of the lead agency, prescribe
the form and manner in which samples shall be taken for analysis.
124. Designation of analytical laboratories and reference

laboratories.
(1) The Authority may, by notice in the Gazette, designate as
many laboratories as it considers necessary and fit to be analytical
laboratories and reference laboratories for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) shall specify the specific

functions of the laboratory and the local limits or subject matter
which each laboratory shall serve and may require a laboratory to be
internationally accredited in order to conduct certain analyses.
125. Certificate of laboratory analysis.

(1) A laboratory designated as an analytical or reference
laboratory under section 124 shall issue a certificate of analysis of any
substance submitted to it under this Act.
(2) The certificate of analysis shall state the methods of analysis

followed and shall be signed by the analyst or reference analyst, as the
case may be.
(3) A certificate issued under this section shall be sufficient

to establish the facts stated in the certificate for all purposes, unless
proved otherwise.
(4) The results of any analysis made by the laboratory shall be

open to inspection by all interested parties.
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126. Environmental audit.
(1) The Authority or a lead agency may, where there is public
interest or cause to believe that a project has or may have adverse
impacts on human health or the environment—
(a) carry out an environmental enforcement audit; or
(b) instruct the developer to carry out an environmental
compliance audit, within a specified period determined by
the Authority.
(2) A developer of a project listed in Schedule 5 and 10 shall

undertake an environmental compliance audit in the manner

the developer of any project not included in Schedule 5 and 10 to
undertake an environmental compliance audit.
(4) Where a lead agency intends to undertake an environmental

enforcement audit under subsection (1), it shall notify the Authority
at least seven days before the commencement date of the audit, and
submit an environmental enforcement audit report to the Authority
within thirty days after completion of the audit.
(5) An environmental audits carried out under subsections (1)

or (2) shall consider the need to prevent harm to human health or the
environment and shall take into account—
(a) environment management and monitoring plans;
(b) conditions stipulated in the certificate of approval of the
environmental and social impact assessment;
(c) conditions contained in permits, licences and other
approval; and
(d) any other requirements under this Act or any other
applicable law.
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(6) A developer or operator of a project required to undertake an
environmental compliance audit under subsection (2), shall—
(a) submit an environmental compliance audit report to the
Authority and lead agency, where applicable; and
(b) undertake mitigation measures to address and rectify any
non-compliance detected.
(7) A developer or operator of a project required to undertake

an environmental and social impact assessment under this Act, shall
not substitute that assessment with an environmental audit or
environmental management and monitoring plan.
(8) A developer or operator who contravenes subsection (7)

commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding
one hundred thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding
fifteen years, or both.
127. Designation of environmental inspectors.

(1) The Authority may, by notice in the Gazette, designate as
many officers as it deems fit from duly qualified public officers,
whether by name or by title of office, to be environmental inspectors
within such limits as may be specified in the notice.
(2) An officer designated under subsection (1) shall be an

environmental inspector for three years or such longer period as the
Authority may determine.
128. Powers and duties of environmental inspectors.

(1) An environmental inspector may, in the performance of his
or her duties under this Act or regulations made under this Act, at any
time as may be necessary and without warrant—
(a) enter on any land, including water, facilities, premises,
vehicles or vessels, to conduct a search and to determine
whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with;
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(b) require the production of, inspect and examine any
licences, registers, records or other documents relating to
this Act or any other law relating to the environment and
the management of natural resources;
(c) make copies of licences, registers, records or other
documents referred to in paragraph (b);
(d) make examinations and inquiries to establish whether this
Act and any regulations made under this Act are being
complied with;
(e) take samples of any article or substance to which this Act
applies and, as may be prescribed, submit the samples for
tests and analyses;
(f) carry out periodic inspections of facilities and other
establishments within the local limits of his or her
jurisdiction which manufacture, produce as by-products,
import, export, store, sell, distribute or use, any substances
that are likely to have an adverse impact on the
environment, to ensure that the provisions of this Act are
complied with;
(g) carry out such other inspections as may be necessary to
ensure that the provisions of this Act are complied with;
(h) seize any plant, equipment, substance or other thing which
he or she believes has been used in the commission of a
violation of this Act or regulations made under this Act;
(i) close any manufacturing plant or stop any other activity or
seize any equipment, vehicle or vessel which pollutes or
is likely to pollute the environment contrary to this Act or
regulations made under this Act;
(j) issue an environmental improvement notice or
environmental compliance notice requiring the operator
of any manufacturing plant or other activity to cease any
activity deleterious to human health or the environment;
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(k) cause a police officer to arrest any person whom he or she
believes has violated or abated a violation of this Act or
regulations made under this Act.
(2) An environmental inspector may, at any time, install any

equipment, including a seal, on any land, structure, facility, premises,
vehicle or vessel for purposes of monitoring compliance with this Act.
(3) Where an environmental inspector exercises the power to

close a manufacturing plant or to order the discontinuation of any
activity or to seize any equipment, vehicle or vessel under subsection
(1) (h), he or she may issue an environmental improvement notice or
environmental compliance notice under subsection (1)(j).
(4) In exercising his or her powers under this section, an

environmental inspector shall suitably identify himself or herself.
129. Power to issue environmental notices and orders.

(1) Subject to this Act, the Authority or an authorised officer
may issue the following notices—
(a) environmental improvement notices; and
(b) environmental compliance notices.
(2) The Authority may issue the following orders—
(a) environmental restoration orders;
(b) prohibition orders; and
(c) stop orders.
(3) The Authority or an authorised officer may stipulate such

terms, conditions and obligations in a notice or order issued under this
section as shall, in the opinion of the Authority or authorised officer,
enable the notice or order to achieve all or any of its purposes.
(4) The Authority or an authorised officer may inspect or cause
to be inspected any activity to determine whether that activity—
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(a) is causing or is likely to cause pollution, contrary to this
Act; or
(b) is harmful to human health or the environment.
(5) The Authority or an authorised officer may take into account

the evidence obtained from an inspection carried out under subsection
(4) when making a decision whether or not to serve a notice or order
under this section.
(6) The Authority or an authorised officer may seek and take into
account any technical, professional or scientific advice which may be
desirable for a satisfactory decision to be made on a notice or order.
130. Environmental restoration orders.

(1) Subject to this Part, the Authority may issue an environmental
restoration order to any person whose activities cause or are likely to
cause pollution contrary to this Act or which are deleterious to human
health or the environment.
(2) An environmental restoration order issued under subsection

(1) may contain a prohibition or a stop order and the person on whom
it is served shall be required, without need for further notice—
(a) to immediately prevent the commencement of or to cease
any activity that is deleterious to human health or the
environment;
(b) to restore the environment, as near as possible, to the state
in which it was before the taking of the action which is the
subject of the order;
(c) to take such action as will prevent the commencement
or continuation of any activity that is likely to cause, is
causing or may contribute to causing pollution; and
(d) to require clean-up of the pollution or restoration of the
damaged environment, using the best available techniques.
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(3) Without limiting the general effect of subsection (2) or
the powers of the Authority, an environmental restoration order may
require a person on whom it is served—
(a) to restore land and its full ecological and ecosystem
functions, including the replacement of soil, the re-planting
of trees and other flora;
(b) to restore, as far as possible, outstanding geological,
archaeological or historical features of the land or the area
contiguous to the land specified in the order;
(c) to take such action as will prevent the commencement or
continuation of an environmental hazard, including an
action that may contribute to an environmental hazard;
(d) to remove or alleviate any damage to land or the
environment or to the amenities of the area;
(e) to prevent injury to other persons or damage to land or the
environment, aquifers beneath the land, flora and fauna
in, on, under or above the land specified in the order or
land or the environment contiguous to land specified in
the order;
(f) to remove any material, waste or refuse deposited in, on,
under or around the land or other area specified in the order;
(g) to deposit waste in a place named in the order; or
(h) to comply with such other directives as the Authority may
prescribe in the order.
(4) An environmental restoration order shall be in a format

prescribed by the Authority and shall specify—
(a) the activity to which it relates;
(b) the person or persons to whom it is addressed;
(c) the time at which it shall come into effect;

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(d) the action which must be taken to prevent or abate the
pollution or to remedy harm to human health or the
environment;
(e) the powers of the Authority or authorised officer to enter
land, premises, facilities, vehicles or other vessels to
undertake the action specified in the order;
(f) the power of the Authority or authorised officer to seize
any equipment or substance used in the commission of a
violation under this Act;
(g) the penalties which may be imposed if the action specified
in the order is not undertaken by the responsible person;
(h) the right of the person served with the order to appeal to
court against that order.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the Authority or authorised

person may, where necessary, issue a prohibition or stop order
requiring the person on whom it is served—
(a) to restrain from undertaking an activity or project that is
deleterious to human health or the environment; or
(b) to stop or terminate an activity or project.
131. Service of and compliance with environmental restoration

order.
(1) An environmental restoration order issued under section
130(1) shall be served on the responsible person and shall require that
person to take the action specified in the order, in such time being not
more than twenty one days from the date of service of the order or
such further period as may be prescribed in the order.
(2) A person served with an environmental restoration order

shall, subject to this Act, comply with all the terms, conditions and
obligations of the order.
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(3) An environmental restoration order shall continue to apply to
the activity in respect of which it was served until it has been complied
with to the satisfaction of the Authority.
132. Review of environmental restoration order.

(1) A person served with an environmental restoration order
may, within twenty one days after the receipt of the order, giving
reasons in writing, request the Authority to review the order.
(2) An environmental restoration order shall remain in force

until varied, suspended or withdrawn.
(3) Where a request for review has been made under subsection
(1), the Authority shall, within fourteen days of receipt of the request,
give the person who has requested the review an opportunity to be
heard, orally or by submission of documentary evidence.
(4) The Authority shall constitute a committee to review a

request under subsection (1).
(5) A committee constituted under subsection (4) shall hear the

matter and make a report of its findings and recommendations to the
Executive Director within thirty days from receipt of the request.
(6) The Executive Director may, acting on the findings and
recommendations under subsection (5) and with a statement of reasons
for the decision-—
(a) confirm, vary, suspend or withdraw the environmental
restoration order; and
(b) notify, in writing, the person who made the request of the
Authority’s decision on the restoration order.
133. Action by Authority or authorised officer on environmental

restoration orders.
(1) Where a person on whom an environmental restoration order
has been served fails, neglects or refuses to take the action required by
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the order or where the Executive Director does not review the order in
favour of the applicant under section 132(6), the Authority or authorised
officer, may, within a period specified in the environmental restoration
order or such further period as the Authority may determine—
(a) enter or authorise any person to enter any land, area,
premises, facility, vehicle or vessel under the control of
the person on whom the order was served; and
(b) take all necessary action in respect of the activity to which
the order relates and enforce the order as may seem fit on
behalf of the person on whom the order was served.
(2) Where the Authority or authorised officer exercises the power
under subsection (1), the Authority or authorised officer may—
(a) require the payment of an administrative fine for violation
of this Act or regulations made under this Act;
(b) seize any equipment or substance used in the commission
of the violation of the provisions of this Act or regulations
made under this Act;
(c) use the equipment or substance seized under this subsection
to undertake pollution abatement or restoration of the
degraded ecosystem or rectify the environmental wrong
committed;
(d) require payment of costs and expenses incurred by the
Authority or authorised officer in the exercise of that
power, including any costs which may be incurred by any
government agency or other person in pollution abatement
or containment; and
(e) take any other action as may be necessary.
(3) Where the person on whom an environmental restoration
order was served under section 131(1) fails to pay the administrative
fine, costs or expenses referred in subsection (2)(a) and (d), or
abandons the equipment or substances seized under subsection (2)(b),
the Authority or authorised officer may—
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(a) unless the owner claims or removes the equipment or
substance abandoned under this subsection within thirty
days, dispose of the equipment or substance by public
auction and recover the monies due to the Authority or
authorised officer; or
(b) recover as a civil debt, by action in a court of competent
jurisdiction from the person referred to in subsection (1),
such administrative fine, including costs or expenses not
sufficiently defrayed by a sale under paragraph (a) or where
the Authority or authorised officer chooses to recover the
costs or expenses as a civil debt.
(4) Any balance from the sale of the equipment or substance
under subsection (3) shall, after deducting the costs and expenses
incurred by the Authority or authorised officer in connection with
the safe custody and sale, be paid to the owner of the equipment or
substance abandoned under subsection (3).
134. Issue of environmental restoration orders by court.

(1) Court may, in any proceedings brought by any person, issue
an environmental restoration order against a person who has caused or
is likely to cause pollution contrary to this Act or has harmed, is harming
or is reasonably likely to harm human health or the environment.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, it shall not be necessary for an
applicant under this section to show that he or she has a right over, or
interest in, the human health or the environment or land or area alleged
to be affected by the pollution.
(3) Court may, in the exercise of its powers under subsection (1),
apply the provisions of section 130 and order—
(a) the payment of costs in the form of reparation, restoration,
restitution or compensation to the person whose health or
the environment or livelihood has been polluted, harmed
or otherwise adversely affected by the action which is the
subject of the order; or
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(b) the payment of the costs and expenses of any action
taken by the Authority or an authorised officer to abate
the pollution, to protect human health or to restore the
environment as near as possible to the state in which it was
before the taking of the action.
135. Environmental improvement notices and environmental

compliance notices.
(1) An environmental inspector may issue an environmental
improvement notice to a person whose activity is causing or is likely
to cause pollution contrary to this Act or is deleterious to human health
or the environment.
(2) The Authority or an authorised officer may issue an

environmental compliance notice which may culminate in an
environmental compliance agreement, to require any person to comply
with this Act or regulations made under this Act.
(3) An environmental compliance agreement issued under

subsection (2) shall have the same effect as an environmental
improvement notice.
(4) The provisions of section 130 and 131 in respect of
restoration orders may apply to environmental improvement notices,
environmental compliance notices or other orders issued under this Act
with such modifications as may be necessary, except that compliance
with an environmental improvement notice or environmental
compliance notice may be required to be immediate.
(5) A person who wishes to request for the review of an
environmental improvement notice or environmental compliance
notice may apply to the Authority within twenty one days of service of
the environmental improvement notice or environmental compliance
notice.
(6) The provisions of section 132 shall apply to a review under
this section, with such modifications as may be necessary.
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(7) The Authority, an authorised officer or an environmental
inspector shall be responsible for the enforcement of an environmental
improvement notice or environmental compliance notice.
136. Power to arrest.

An authorised officer may, if he or she has reasonable grounds to
believe that any person is committing, or has committed or been
involved in the commission of any violation of this Act, arrest or cause
a police officer to arrest that person.
137. Search warrants.

(1) Without prejudice to any other power under this Act, where an
authorised officer declares on oath before any magistrate that he or she
has reasonable grounds to believe that there is in any structure, facility,
premises, vehicle or vessel anything liable to be seized, the magistrate
may, by warrant under his or her hand authorise the officer—
(a) to enter upon and search, with such force as may be
necessary and by day or by night, such structure, facility,
premises, vehicle or vessel; and
(b) to seize and carry away anything liable to be seized found
therein.
(2) An authorised officer in possession of a search warrant
may require a police officer to assist him or her in the execution of
the warrant and the police officer so required shall render assistance
accordingly.
(3) An authorised officer with powers to conduct searches under

this section but who is not designated as an environmental inspector
may, in emergency situations, conduct a search without a warrant.
138. Power to seize.

The Authority, authorised officer or environmental inspector may
seize any substance, material, equipment or plant in accordance with
this Act.
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139. Seals of the Authority.
The Authority, an authorised officer or environmental inspector may
place on any substance, structure, facility, premises, vehicle or vessel
in respect of this Act, a seal or mark as is necessary for the safeguarding
of that substance, structure, facility, premises, vehicle or vessel or for
the prevention of tampering with that substance, structure, facility,
premises, vehicle or vessel.
140. Review and appeals from decisions of Authority.

(1) Unless otherwise expressly provided under this Act, where
this Act empowers the Authority or any of its organs to make a decision,
the decision shall be subject to review within the structure of the
Authority in accordance with administrative procedures established
for the purpose.
(2) Nothing provided for in this section shall limit court in the
exercise of its jurisdiction.
Financial Security.
141. Financial security.
(1) The Authority may require a developer to take out financial
security for a project or activity likely to have a deleterious effect on
human health or the environment.
(2) The form of financial security referred to in subsection (1)

may include—
(a) on-demand bank guarantees;
(b) performance bonds;
(c) escrow agreements;
(d) trust funds;
(e) insurance; and
(f) any other financial security as the Authority may
determine.
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(3) The purpose of the financial security is to enable the Authority
to access the security in the event that—
(a) environmental liability is not covered in general liability
policies;
(b) there is need for environmental response action to an
emergency occasion by the project or activity;
(c) the cost of environmental remediation is likely to be
substantial;
(d) the developer fails to comply with an order issued under
this Part; or
(e) there is a risk of the developer becoming insolvent.
(4) The type and amount of financial security for each project
shall be determined by the Authority.
(5) For the avoidance of doubt, a financial security does not
replace the responsibility and liability of the developer for the project
or activity under this Act and any other applicable law.
Part XIII—Judicial Proceedings

142. Immunity of officials.
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings may be brought against
members of the Policy Committee on Environment, the Executive
Director, members of the Board, an environmental inspector, an
authorised officer, an analyst or officer or member of staff of the
Authority in their personal capacity for anything done in good faith in
the discharge of their functions under this Act or regulations, guidelines
or standards made under this Act.
143. Forfeiture, cancellation of permits, community service and

other orders.
The court before which a person is prosecuted for an offence under this
Act may, in addition to any other order imposed upon the conviction of
the accused, make an order—
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(a) for the forfeiture of any funds, documents, substance,
premises, facility, equipment or appliance used in the
commission of the offence;
(b) for the forfeiture of any material or substance obtained or
recovered at the site of the offence or seized as a result of
an offence committed under this Act;
(c) for the payment by that person to the Government of an
amount equal to the proceeds received from the sale of
the material or substance obtained or recovered under
paragraph (b);
(d) that the cost of disposing of the substance, equipment
or appliance referred to in paragraph (a) be borne by the
convicted person;
(e) requiring the convicted person to do community work
which promotes the protection or improvement of the
environment; or requiring the convicted person to restore
the environment in accordance with this Act.
144. Power of court to order compensation.

The court may, where a person is convicted of an offence under this
Act, order the person to—
(a) pay to the Government, in addition to any penalty imposed
on him or her by the court for the offence, an amount
of compensation for the loss or damage not exceeding
five times the value of the loss or damage caused by the
convicted person; or
(b) pay up to ten times the amount of any fees, royalties or
other payments which, had the act constituting the offence
been authorised, would have been payable in respect of
the authorised act.
145. Further powers of court.

A court on convicting any person—
116
(a) for an offence under this Act, may order that person, within
a time specified in the order, to do any act the person had
failed, refused or neglected to do;
(b) for offences related to fragile ecosystems, may, in addition
to any other penalty it may impose, order that person,
within a time to be specified in the order—
(i) to vacate the fragile ecosystem;
(ii) to restore the fragile ecosystem to its original state
and function; or
(iii) to remove from the fragile ecosystem anything that
he or she may have placed in the fragile ecosystem.
Part XIV—Environmental Information

and Literacy
146. Right of access to environmental information.

(1) Every person shall have a right of access to environmental
information relating to the implementation of this Act, subject to the
Constitution and the Access to Information Act, 2005.
(2) A person desiring information under subsection (1) shall

request the Authority or a lead agency in writing, for the information
and may be granted access on payment of the prescribed fee.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, the right to access to

environmental information under subsection (1) shall not extend to
proprietary or confidential information.
147. Management of environmental information.

(1) The Authority may—
(a) gather, document, evaluate and disseminate information

on the environment and natural resources, including
associated indigenous knowledge and practices;
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(b) carry out public education and awareness on the
environment;
(c) foster environmental information exchange with other
ministries, departments, agencies of government, foreign
agencies, international and nongovernmental agencies;
(d) coordinate and support lead agencies in the management
of environmental information;
(e) advise Government on environmental information gaps
and needs;
(f) in consultation with lead agencies, establish guidelines and
principles for the gathering, documentation, evaluation
and dissemination of environmental information; and
(g) require a lead agency or any person to submit
environmental information to the Authority.
(2) The Authority shall establish a national environment

information resource centre to standardize environmental information
and to act as the central depository for environmental information.
(3) The Authority may publish any environmental information

as it considers necessary for public education and awareness.
148. Integration of environmental education into educational

curricula and programmes.
(1) The Authority shall, in collaboration with the Ministry
responsible for education, ensure that environmental and sustainable
development concerns are integrated into the national education
system, including academic and non-academic programmes.
(2) The Authority may provide technical support to the lead

agency responsible for educational curriculum development to
mainstream environment and sustainable development concerns in the
national curricula.
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agency, initiate, promote and support nationwide environmental
literacy campaigns through education, training and other forms of
community engagement in the manner prescribed in guidelines issued
by the Authority.
149. National environment day.

(1) The Minister shall designate a special day to be known as the
national environment day to pursue and undertake activities related to
environmental conservation and management.
(2) Every person shall endeavour to participate in events which

support the spirit and objectives of the national environment day.
Part XV—International Obligations.
150. Assessment of environmental implications of a treaty.

(1) The President or a person authorised by the President may,
before signing a treaty, convention, agreement or other arrangement
between Uganda and any other country or between Uganda and any
international organisation or body, with environmental implications,
consult the Authority and the relevant lead agency.
(2) Where Uganda is a party to an international treaty, convention

or agreement concerning the management of the environment, the
Minister shall, with the approval of Cabinet, and in consultation with
the Authority and relevant lead agencies—
(a) initiate legislative proposals for purposes of giving effect

to such treaty, convention or agreement in Uganda or for
enabling Uganda to perform her obligations; or
(b) identify other appropriate measures necessary for the

national implementation of such treaty, convention or
agreement.
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151. Cooperation in environmental management.
(1) The Minister shall create mechanisms for close collaboration
with the regional and international community to contribute towards
a peaceful, healthier and better global environment for the present and
future generations.
(2) The Minister may, subject to the Constitution, collaborate

with the Ministry responsible for foreign affairs, sector ministries
and agencies, to initiate, coordinate and implement transboundary
environmental management programmes with other countries.
(3) Without prejudice to subsection(2), the Minister may,

in liaison with the Authority and relevant lead agencies, establish
a national focal point for the coordinated implementation of
multilateral environmental agreements to enable effective preparation
for negotiations, reporting, feedback and national implementation.
Part XVI—Offences, Penalties, Fees, Fines

and other Charges.
152. Conflict of interest.

(1) An employee of the Authority, an authorised person or an
employee of a lead agency in the exercise of any function or duty
under this Act, shall not, in his or her private capacity, knowingly,
directly or indirectly, acquire, attempt to acquire or hold—
(a) a licence or an interest as an environmental practitioner;
or
(b) a direct or indirect economic interest, participation, interest
or share in an entity authorised under this Act to practice
as an environmental practitioner.

and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.
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153. Offences committed by body corporate.
(1) Where an offence committed by a body corporate under this
Act is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance
of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a director, manager,
secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person
who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he or she, as well as
the body corporate, commits that offence.
(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is

liable, on conviction, to a fine or imprisonment prescribed by the
relevant section.
154. Bribing an officer.

(1) An officer who—
(a) directly or indirectly asks for, takes or accepts, in

connection with any of his or her duties, any payment or
other reward whatsoever, whether pecuniary or otherwise,
or any promise or security for any such payment or reward,
not being a payment or reward which he or she is lawfully
entitled to claim or receive; or
(b) enters into or acquiesces in any agreement to do, abstain

from doing, permits, conceals, or connives in, any act or
thing which is contrary to this Act or the proper execution
of his or her duty,
commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not
exceeding ten thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding ten years or both.
(2) A person who—
(a) directly or indirectly offers or gives to any officer any

payment or reward, whether pecuniary or otherwise, or any
promise or security for any such payment or reward; or
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(b) proposes or enters into any agreement with any officer,
in order to induce him or her to do, abstain from doing,
permits, conceals, or connives in, any act or thing which is
contrary to this Act or the proper execution of the duty of
such officer,
exceeding ten thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding ten years, or both.
155. Obstruction of environmental inspector or authorised officer.

A person who—
(a) fails to comply with a lawful order or requirement issued
by an environmental inspector or authorised officer in
accordance with this Act;
(b) refuses an environmental inspector or authorised officer
entry upon any land, water, premises, facility, vehicle or
vessel, which he or she is empowered to enter by this Act;
(c) obstructs, intimidates, molests, hinders or wilfully delays
an environmental inspector or authorised officer in the
exercise or performance of the inspector’s or authorised
officer’s powers and functions under this Act;
(d) refuses an environmental inspector or authorised officer
access to records, including electronic records, kept in
accordance with this Act;
(e) knowingly or negligently misleads or gives wrongful
or false information to an environmental inspector or
authorised officer under this Act;
(f) knowingly makes a statement or produces a document
that is false or misleading in a material particular to an
environmental inspector or authorised officer engaged in
carrying out his or her duties and functions under this Act;
or
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(g) fails to state or wrongly states his or her name or address
to an environmental inspector or authorised officer in the
course of his or her duties under this Act,
exceeding three thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding two years, or both.
156. Impersonation of environmental inspector or authorised

officer.
A person, not being an environmental inspector, authorised person,
or employee of the Authority or lead agency, who takes or assumes
the name, designation, character or appearance of an environmental
inspector, authorised person, or employee of the Authority or lead
agency for the purpose of—
(a) obtaining admission to any premises;
(b) doing or causing to be done any act which he or she is not
entitled to do; or
(c) doing any unlawful act,
exceeding two years or both, in addition to any other punishment
to which he or she may be liable for the commission of any
unlawful act.
157. Offences relating to environmental and social impact

assessments and environmental risk assessments.
A person who—
(a) undertakes an activity which requires an environmental

and social impact assessment or environmental risk
assessment to be conducted before obtaining a certificate
of approval or other approval required in accordance with
the applicable law;
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(b) makes a false or misleading statement in the environmental
and social impact statement or project brief;
(c) fraudulently alters a project brief or an environmental and
social impact statement contrary to this Act;
(d) prepares and uses an environmental and social management
and monitoring plan in place of an environmental and
social impact assessment;
(e) under-declares the cost or value of the proposed project
on submission of a project brief or environment impact
statement;
(f) fails to comply with the conditions stipulated in the
certificate of approval of a project brief of environmental
and social impact assessment or the approval required in
accordance with the applicable law;
(g) forges or alters a certificate of approval of a project brief or
environmental and social impact assessment,
commits an offence and is liable on conviction—
(i) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding one
hundred thousand currency points or imprisonment
not exceeding fifteen years or both; or
(ii) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding
five hundred thousand currency points.
158. Failure to establish environmental management system.
An operator who fails to establish, maintain and implement an
environmental management system commits an offence and is liable,
on conviction, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand currency points or
imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or both.
159. Seizures.
A person who—
(a) takes, or causes or permits to be taken, anything seized
under this Act otherwise than in accordance with this Act;
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(b) fails or neglects to deliver to the Authority anything subject
to seizure;
(c) breaks, destroys or throws overboard from any facility,
aircraft, vessel or vehicle, anything for the purpose of
preventing its seizure or for the purpose of preventing it
from being secured after it has been seized; or
(d) destroys or damages anything that is seized under this Act,
otherwise than in circumstances provided for in this Act or
regulations made under this Act,
exceeding five years, or both.
160. Removing or defacing Authority’s seals.

A person who—
(a) removes a seal of the Authority from any premises, facility
or package without the authority of an authorised officer
or environmental inspector; or
(b) wilfully alters, defaces, obliterates or imitates, any mark
placed by an authorised officer or environmental inspector
on any premises, facility or package,
exceeding two thousand currency points or to imprisonment not
exceeding three years, or both.
161. Unlawful dealings in hazardous chemicals.

(1) Any person who—
(a) imports, exports, transports, stores, manufactures,
formulates, distributes, sells or offers for sale any
prohibited chemical;
(b) gives false or misleading information in an application for
the registration of a hazardous chemical;
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(c) imports, exports, transports, stores, manufactures,
formulates, distributes, sells or offers for sale any regulated
chemical without a licence issued under this Act;
(d) fails to package, label or mark chemicals, hazardous waste
or other material required to be packaged, labelled or
marked under this Act; or
(e) carries on the business of a commercial hazardous chemical
applicator without a licence,
exceeding fifty thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding fifteen years, or both.
(2) A person who—

(a) supplies or misuses chemicals, including acid, to harm any
person or the environment, or
(b) imports, exports, transports, stores, manufactures,
formulates, distributes, sells or offers for sale any chemical
which has been adulterated, or which has decomposed or
deteriorated so as to be ineffective for its purpose or which
is packed in containers which have deteriorated or have
been damaged rendering them hazardous to store, handle
or use safely,
exceeding thirty thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding twelve years or both.
162. Illegal management of waste.

A person who—
(a) imports, exports or transits through Uganda, any hazardous
waste in contravention of this Act or regulations made
under this Act;
(b) engages in illegal transboundary movement of waste;
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(c) aids or abets the illegal transboundary movement of
hazardous waste;
(d) mislabels hazardous waste;
(e) disposes of any waste in contravention of this Act or of any
condition specified in a licence or permit;
(f) fails to manage waste in accordance with this Act; or
(g) withholds information about the management of hazardous
waste,
exceeding fifteen years or both.
163. Pollution.
(1) A person who—
(a) engages in activities that result in or aggravate pollution in
contravention of this Act;
(b) pollutes the environment contrary to conditions contained
in a pollution control licence or permit;
(c) discharges or emits any pollutant into the environment
contrary to approved standards;
(d) fails to take measures required under this Act to prevent or
manage pollution;
(e) causes emissions to escape into the air in any manner
contrary to this Act; or
(f) fails to notify the relevant authorities of pollution as
required under this Act,
exceeding fifteen years, or both.
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(2) In addition to any sentence that the court may impose upon a
polluter under subsection (1), court may direct that person to—
(a) pay the full cost of cleaning up the polluted environment
and of removing the pollution;  
(b) clean up the polluted environment and remove the effects

of pollution to the satisfaction of the Authority.  
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsections (1) and

(2), court may direct the polluter to meet the cost of the pollution to any
third party through adequate compensation, restoration or restitution.
164. Failure to comply with orders, notices and environmental

easements.
A person who fails or refuses to comply with an environmental
restoration order, prohibition order, stop notice, improvement notice,
compliance notice, environmental easement or any decision issued
or granted under this Act, commits an offence and is liable, on
conviction—
(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding ten
thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding
seven years or both; or
(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding five
hundred thousand currency points.
165. Failure to comply with environmental standards.

A person who contravenes any environmental standards prescribed
under this Act commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a
fine not exceeding ten thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding seven years, or both.
166. Failure to keep records, reports and other documentation.
A person who—
(a) fails to keep records required to be kept under this Act;
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(b) fraudulently alters, damages or impairs any records
required to be kept under this Act;
(c) fails to make a report or present documents or other

materials as required under this Act;
(d) fails to furnish to the Authority or a lead agency, with

documents required under this Act, or to enter pertinent
matters in the said documents; or
(e) makes a false report or presents false or misleading

information,
commits an offence and is liable on conviction—
(i) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding

five thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding five years or both; or
(ii) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding
fifty thousand currency points.
167. Alerting offender.

A person who, with intent to obstruct an environmental inspector, an
authorised person, an employee of the Authority or lead agency in the
execution of his or her duty, alerts, or does any act for the purpose of
alerting any person engaged in the commission of an offence under
this Act, whether or not that person is in a position to take advantage
of such alert or act, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to
a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points or imprisonment not
exceeding one year, or both.
168. Conspiracy to commit an offence.

A person who conspires with another person to contravene any of the
provisions of this Act commits an offence and is liable, on conviction,
to a fine not exceeding five thousand currency points or imprisonment
not exceeding five years.
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169. Continuing or subsequent offences.
(1) A person convicted of an offence under this Act and continues
to contravene any of the provisions of this Act commits an offence and
is liable to an additional penalty—
(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding ten
seven years, or both; or
(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding fifty
thousand currency points.
(2) A person who commits a second or subsequent offence is

liable to pay an additional penalty—
(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding fifty
ten years, or both; or
(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding one
hundred thousand currency points.
170. General penalty.

A person who contravenes any provision of this Act for which no
penalty is specifically provided, commits an offence and is liable on
conviction—
(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding five
seven years, or both; or
(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding fifty
thousand currency points.
Administrative Fees, Fines, Penalties and Charges.
171. Fees, fines, penalties and charges.

(1) The Authority may, in the performance of its functions under
this Act, levy fees, fines, penalties and charges.
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(2) Without prejudice to the general effect of subsection (1), the
Authority may levy the following fees, fines, penalties and charges—
(a) environmental and social impact assessment fees;
(b) environmental audit fees;
(c) environment monitoring fees;
(d) pollution emission charges;
(e) administrative fines;
(f) express penalties;
(g) coercive fines; and
(h) charges for services offered by the Authority under this
Act or regulations made under this Act.
(3) The fees, fines, penalties and charges referred to under this
section shall be prescribed by the Authority by statutory instrument.
(4) Where a person does not make a payment under this Act on
or before the time when the amount is payable, the person shall pay, as
a penalty, a surcharge of five percent of the amount in default for each
day of default.
172. Administrative fines.

(1) Where the Authority, an authorised officer or environmental
inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has
contravened the provisions of this Act, the Authority, authorised
officer or environmental inspector may impose an administrative fine
and serve a notice on that person.
(2) The Authority may require the person served with a notice
under subsection (1) to pay the administrative fine within a time
prescribed in the notice.
(3) The notice issued under this section shall—

(a) specify the date and nature of the alleged contravention;
131
(b) contain a summary of the facts which the Authority or
authorised officer alleges;
(c) be endorsed with a statement setting out the provisions of
the law contravened;
(d) specify the penalty payable; and
(e) state the bank details of the bank account of the Authority
in which the payment is to be made.
(4) The person on whom a notice has been served under

subsection (1) shall pay the fine specified in the notice in the time
prescribed in the notice.
(5) The Authority may issue guidelines setting out the criteria
for issuing and payment of administrative fines.
173. Coercive fine.

(1) The Authority may impose a coercive fine on any person
who contravenes this Act or decision made under this Act.
(2) A coercive fine imposed under subsection (1) shall become

effective when the person responsible fails to meet the deadline set by
the Authority for remedying the matter.
(3) The Authority may determine whether the coercive fine is a

one-off payment or is continuous for as long as the non-compliance
persists.
(4) Where the non-compliance occurs on the part of a corporate

body, an association or other entity, the coercive fine shall be imposed
on that corporate body or entity.
174. Express penalty.

The Authority shall, with the approval of the Minister, by regulations
prescribe an express penalty scheme for contravention of any provision
of this Act.
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175. Cancellation of approval granted under this Act.
The Authority may cancel or suspended a certificate, licence or other
approval granted under this Act for contravention of any provision of
this Act.
Part XVII—General Provisions.
176. Record keeping.

(1) A person who carries on an activity listed in schedules 4,
5 or 10, shall keep records relating to environmental management,
including—
(a) the amount of waste and by-products generated by the
activity, if any;
(b) the amount of emissions and discharges;
(c) the utilisation of environmental resources;

(d) the mitigation measures and residual impacts of the
activity on the environment;
(e) environmental monitoring of the activity;
(f) audits of the compliance of the activity with the conditions
stipulated in the certificate of approval of environmental
and social impact assessment, licences, permits or
approvals or with the provisions of this Act and any other
applicable law;
(g) incidents, including acute pollution, which cause or are
likely to cause harm to human health or damage to the
environment; and
(h) any other records as the Authority may require.

any other person carrying out an activity likely to have an impact on
human health or the environment to keep records.
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(3) All records, including electronic records, kept under
subsection (1) shall be made available to the Authority, an
environmental inspector, an environment officer or an authorised
person, on request.
177. Submission of annual report to Authority.

(1) A person engaged in an activity listed in Schedules 4, 5 or 10
shall submit to the Authority an annual report as may be prescribed by
the Authority.
(2) The annual report under subsection (1) shall contain

information on—
(a) discharges and emissions;
(b) incidents resulting in environmental impact;
(c) resource use, including chemicals, water and natural
biomass;
(d) environmental monitoring;
(e) waste management, including types and quantities of
waste generated;
(f) compliance with the Act and non-compliance and
corrective action taken; and
(g) any other environmental concern the Authority deems
necessary.
(3) The Authority may use the annual report submitted under
subsection (1) for monitoring purpose and as a basis for the preparation
of the state of the environment report required under this Act.
178. Service of documents.

(1) A document or notice required or permitted to be served on
or given to a person under this Act, may be served—
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(a) in the case of an individual, by serving it personally
upon the individual or his or her agent or by sending it
by registered post to him or her at his or her usual or last
known place of abode or business or to his or her agent;
(b) in the case of a body corporate—
(i) by leaving it at the registered or principal office of
the body corporate;
(ii) by sending it by registered post to the body corporate
at the registered or principal office of the body
corporate; or
(iii) by delivering it to an individual in the employment
of or acting on behalf of the body corporate that is
authorised by the body corporate to accept service of
or to receive the document;
(c) in the case of an activity that is the subject matter of the
service, it shall be sufficient to serve the document or notice
on any adult person found at the premises or activity site
appearing to have a level of command on the activity.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(b), the principal office of a

body corporate incorporated outside Uganda is its place of business as
established under the Companies Act, 2012.
(3) Any notice or document may be served on the Authority by

delivering it at the office of the Authority and obtaining a stamp of
acknowledgement of receipt, or by sending it by registered post to the
office of the Authority.
179. Regulations.
(1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Authority, make
regulations prescribing all matters that are required or permitted by
this Act to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be
prescribed, for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act.
135
(2) Without limiting the general effect of subsection (1), the
Minister may make regulations relating to—
(a) strategic environmental assessments;
(b) the registration, certification, conduct and discipline of
environmental practitioners;
(c) environmental and social impact assessments, including
offset and compensation mechanisms;
(d) environmental audits;
(e) special conservation areas;
(f) protection of riverbanks and lakeshores;
(g) protection of wetlands;
(h) management of soil quality;
(i) discharge of effluent;
(j) noise and vibration;
(k) air quality;
(l) environmental emergency preparedness; including oil
spills preparedness;
(m) the management of hazardous chemicals;
(n) the management of plastics and plastic products;
(o) the management of hazardous waste and other waste;
(p) the protection of the ozone layer;
(q) environmental management and monitoring systems;
(r) the management of environmental information;
(s) the management of mercury
(t) the Environmental Tribunal;
(u) generally, for the better carrying out of the purposes of this
Act and the prescription of anything required or authorised
to be prescribed under this Act.
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(3) Regulations made under subsection (1) may, in respect of any
contravention—
(a) provide for enforcement of the powers of an environmental
inspector;
(b) provide for the use of administrative measures;
(c) provide for the forfeiture of anything used in the
commission of an offence;
(d) prescribe a penalty of a fine not exceeding fifty thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding ten years,
or both;
(e) in the case of a continuing contravention, prescribe an
additional penalty not exceeding five thousand currency
points in respect of each day on which the offence
continues; and
(f) prescribe a higher penalty not exceeding sixty thousand
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding twelve
years or both in respect of a second or subsequent
contravention.
180. Supremacy of this Act.
(1) This Act takes precedence over all existing laws relating to
environmental management, and where there is a conflict between this
Act and any other written law other than the Constitution, this Act
shall prevail.
(2) Anything duly done under the authority of this Act for the
purpose of giving effect to the Government’s policy on environmental
management shall have effect notwithstanding any other enactment.
181. Amendment of Schedules.
(1) The Minister may, with the approval of Cabinet, by statutory
instrument amend Schedule 1.
(2) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, amend Schedules
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11.
137
(3) The Minister may, with the approval of Parliament, by
statutory instrument amend Schedule 9.
182. Repeal and savings.

(1) The National Environment Act, Cap. 153 is repealed.
(2) Any statutory instrument made under the National

Environment Act, Cap.153 repealed under subsection (1) and which
is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall
remain in force, so far as it is not inconsistent with this Act, until it is
revoked by a statutory instrument made under this Act and until that
revocation, shall be deemed to have been made under this Act.
(3) A licence, permit, certificate or authorisation issued under

the National Environment Act, Cap. 153 repealed by subsection (1)
and which is in force immediately before the commencement of this
Act—
(a) shall have effect from the commencement of this Act as if
granted under this Act; and
(b) in the case of a licence, permit, certificate or authorisation
issued for a specified period, shall remain in force, subject
to this Act, for so much of that period as falls after the
commencement of this Act.
(4) The terms and conditions including the rights and

obligations under a licence, permit, certificate or authorisation in
force immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall not
be less favourable than those that applied immediately before the
(5) On the commencement of this Act—

(a) all persons who were employed by the Authority
immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall
continue in the employment of the Authority;
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(b) the terms and conditions, including the salary, on which
a person referred to in paragraph (a) was employed
immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall
not be less favourable than those that applied to that
person’s office immediately before the commencement of
this Act; and
(c) there shall be no break or interruption in the employment

of those persons because of this Act.
(6) Subject to subsection (5)(b), the terms and conditions of

any employment referred to in subsection (5) may be varied after the
(7) For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding the repeal of

the National Environment Act referred to in subsection (1)-
(a) all property, assets, rights and interests of the Authority
under the repealed Act shall continue to be the property,
assets, rights and interests of the Authority; and
(i) all obligations and liabilities subsisting against the
Authority under the repealed Act shall continue to subsist
against the Authority.
(8) Section 3 of the Finance Act, 2009 is repealed.
139
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
CURRENCY POINT
Section 2 and 181 (1).
One currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.
140
SCHEDULE 2.
Section 6(5) and 181 (2).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON

ENVIRONMENT.
1. Meetings.
(1) The Prime Minister shall preside at all meetings of the Committee
and in his or her absence, the Minister responsible for environment shall
preside.
(2) Where both the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible for
environment are absent, the other members of the Committee shall elect one
of the members to preside.
2. Procedure.
(1) Five members of the Committee shall form a quorum at every
meeting of the Committee.
(2) The Committee shall, as much as possible, arrive at its decisions by

consensus.
(3) Where there is need to vote at meetings of the Committee,

questions shall be determined by a simple majority vote of members present
and voting.
(4) Where there is an equality of votes under subparagraph (3), the

chairperson shall have a casting vote.
(5) The Committee may co-opt a technical person or expert to attend

its meeting, and a person so co-opted shall participate at the deliberations of
the Committee but shall have no right to vote.
(6) The Committee shall meet at least once in every three months at
such time and place as the chairperson may determine.
(7) The Executive Director shall take and keep minutes of the meetings
of the Committee.
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(8) The minutes kept under subparagraph (7) shall be confirmed by
the Committee at the next meeting and signed by the chairperson of that
meeting.
3. Decision by circulation of papers.

(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), decisions of the Committee may be
made by the circulation of the relevant papers among the members and the
expression of their views in writing, but any member is entitled to request
that any such decision shall be deferred until the subject matter has been
considered at a meeting of the Committee.
(2) A decision made by circulation of papers under this paragraph is

not valid unless it is supported by not less than five members.
4. Disclosure of interest.
(1) A member of the Committee who has a direct or indirect personal
interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the
Committee shall, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to his
or her knowledge, disclose the nature of his or her interest to the Committee.
(2) A disclosure of interest under subparagraph (1) shall be recorded in

the minutes of the meeting of the Committee, and the member making such
disclosure shall not, unless the Committee otherwise determines in respect of
that matter—
(a) be present during any deliberation on the matter by the Policy

Committee; or
(b) take part in the decision of the Committee.
(3) For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, a member

withdrawing from a meeting or who is not taking part in a meeting shall be
treated as being present.
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SCHEDULE 3.
Sections 19, 21 (4) and 181 (2).
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD.

(1) The Chairperson shall convene every meeting of the Board at
times and places as the Board may determine, and the Board shall meet for
the discharge of business at least once in every three months.
(2) The Chairperson may, at any time, convene a special meeting of

the Board and shall also call a meeting within fourteen days, if requested to
do so in writing by at least five members of the Board.
(3) Notice of a Board meeting shall be given in writing to each member

at least fourteen working days before the day of the meeting.
(4) The Chairperson shall preside at every meeting of the Board and in
the absence of the Chairperson; the members present shall appoint a member
from among themselves to preside at that meeting.
2. Quorum.
(1) The quorum for a meeting of the Board is 5 members.
(2) All decisions at a meeting of the Board shall be by a majority of the

votes of the members present and voting and in case of an equality of votes,
the person presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to his
or her deliberative vote.
3. Minutes of meetings.
(1) The Board shall cause to be recorded and kept, minutes of all
meetings of the Board in a form approved by the Board.
(2) The minutes kept under subparagraph (1) shall be confirmed by

the Committee at the next meeting and signed by the Chairperson of that
meeting, unless a different procedure is adopted by the Board.
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4. Decision by circulation of papers.
(1) Subject to paragraph 2, decisions of the Board may be made by
the circulation of the relevant papers among the members and the expression
of their views in writing, but any member is entitled to request that any such
decision be deferred until the subject matter has been considered at a meeting
of the Board.
(2) A decision made by circulation of papers under this paragraph is

not valid unless it is supported by not less than five members.
5. Power to co-opt.
(1) The Board may co-opt any person who, in the opinion of the Board,
has expert knowledge concerning the functions of the Board, to attend and
take part in the proceedings of the Board.
(2) A person co-opted under this paragraph may take part in any
discussion at the meeting of the Board on which his or her advice is required
but shall not have any right to vote at that meeting.
6. Validity of proceedings not affected by vacancy.

The validity of any proceedings of the Board shall not be affected by a vacancy
in its membership or by any defect in the appointment or qualification of a
member or by reason that a person not entitled, took part in its proceedings.
7. Disclosure of interest of members.

(1) A member of the Board who is in any way directly or indirectly
interested in a contract made or proposed to be made by the Board, or in any
other matter which falls to be considered by the Board, shall disclose the
nature of his or her interest at a meeting of the Board.
(2) A disclosure made under subparagraph (1) shall be recorded in

the minutes of that meeting.
(3) A member who makes a disclosure under subparagraph (1) shall

not—
(a) be present during any deliberation of the Board with respect to
that matter; or
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(b) take part in any decision of the Board with respect to that
matter.
(4) For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, a member

withdrawing from a meeting or who is not taking part in a meeting under
subparagraph (3) shall be treated as being present.
8. Board may regulate its procedure.

Subject to this Act, the Board may regulate its own procedure or any other
matter relating to its meetings.
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SCHEDULE 4
Sections 49(1) & (2), 112 (1), (2) & (3),
176 (1), 177(1) and (2).
PROJECTS FOR WHICH PROJECT BRIEFS ARE REQUIRED.
PART 1—PROJECT BRIEFS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE

AUTHORITY.
1. Transport, transportation equipment and related infrastructure.

(a) Rehabilitation of public roads and airstrips not passing through
fragile ecosystems.
(b) Construction of community access roads.
(c) Construction of private roads of more than 6 meters in width,
including private roads joining national roads, except those
passing through fragile ecosystems.
(d) Temporary roads for access to infrastructure facilities, being
roads of more than 10km.
(e) Construction of parking lots for public use with capacity to hold
at least 50 vehicles.
(f) Construction of tourism tracks in protected areas.
(g) Water transport facilities using small vessels such as barges.
(h) Creation of access waterways of less than 10 kilometres.
(i) Rehabilitation of existing structures within ports or habours;
excluding development and construction of new structures.
(j) Support facilities for activities under paragraphs (a) to (i).
2. Communications facilities.
Repair and upgrade of communications installations, equipment and related
facilities.
3. Exploration and power generation, transmission and distribution

infrastructure.
(a) Generation of power from solar PV power plants of at least 2
megawatts for commercial purposes.
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(b) Hydropower generation plants up to 1 megawatt where—
(i) impacts are low and can readily be mitigated;
(ii) footprint of construction works has limited area;
(iii) limited amounts of water are to be abstracted;
(iv) labour requirements are low;
(v) duration of construction works is less than 2 years;
(vi) the site is not in an environmentally sensitive area or
fragile ecosystem.
(vii) the requirement for associated infrastructure such as
camps, access roads and dump sites is limited.
(c) Electricity distribution lines of a voltage above 11kVupto a
maximum of 33kV.
(d) Power transmission lines and other means of electrification of
between 10 kilometres to 15 kilometres in length where—
(i) the lines do not pass through an environmentally sensitive
area.
(ii) the labour requirement is low; up to 20 persons per tower
spot.
(iii) the duration of construction works is less than 1 year.
(iv) the line is not in an environmentally sensitive area.
(e) Support facilities to paragraph (a) to (d).
4. Utilisation of water resources and water supply.

(a) Abstraction or utilisation of surface water for agricultural,
industrial or urban use of more than 400 m3/day but less than
1000 m3/day.
(b) Abstraction or utilisation of ground water of less than 1000 m3/
day.
(c) Construction of gravitational water scheme of between 400
m3/day and 1000 m3/day, except where the water source is too
small to sustain the gravity water scheme or the ecosystem is
fragile and sensitive.
(d) Diversion of water from a river or stream, where the water
discharged is less than 400m3/day.
(e) Support facilities to (a) to (d).
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5. Housing and urban development.
(a) Construction of planned settlements or housing estates covering
at least 2.5 acres but not more than 5 acres.
(b) Construction and expansion of public health centres III and IV,
private health centres and clinics or their equivalent.
(c) Establishment of cemeteries of 2,500 m2/more or up to 2 acres.
(d) Places of worship.
(e) Recreation centres; including playgrounds, tennis courts and
football pitches to be located near wetlands or sensitive
ecosystems.
(f) Washing bays outside environmentally sensitive areas.
(g) Support facilities to paragraphs (a) to (f).
6. Agriculture, livestock, range management and fisheries.

(a) Irrigation of between 5 to 20 hectares.
(b) Small scale livestock rearing of between 10 to 50 heads of
livestock when situated in an urban area.
(c) Construction of feedlots in densities of between 500 and 999
cattle livestock units and 1000 units for other livestock.
(d) Installations for the intensive rearing of birds or pigs with—
(i) 1,000 or more birds per facility situated within an urban area
and 5,000 poultry per facility situation outside an urban area
or in a peri – urban area; or
(ii) 100 or more pigs per facility situated within an urban area
and 200 pigs per facility situated outside an urban area or in
a peri – urban area.
(e) Installations for the intensive rearing of dogs with—
(i) 50 or more dogs per facility situated within an urban area; or
(ii) 100 or more dogs per facility situated outside an urban area.
(f) Support facilities to (a) to (e).
7. Food and beverage industry.

(a) Brewing, distilling or malting of beer, wine, waragi and other
spirits for commercial purposes of a capacity of between 500
litres and 1000 litres per day.
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(b) Production of non-alcoholic drinks of 500 litres and 1000 litres
per day.
(c) Confectionery or bakeries for commercial purposes.
(d) Manufacture of herbal and food supplements, employing more
than 50 people.
(e) Any other small-sized food and beverage processing facilities.
8. Nature conservation areas.

(a) Creation of wildlife protected area buffer zones and corridors.
(b) Creation of buffer zones for environmentally sensitive areas.
(c) Creation of community wildlife conservation areas in situ.
(d) Creation of wildlife sanctuaries.
(e) Creation of community conservation areas outside protected areas.
(f) Support facilities to (a) to (e).
9. Hotel, tourism and recreational development.

(a) Establishment of community tourism areas.
(b) Development of tourism or recreational facilities in an area of
less than one hectare.
(c) Permanent racing and test tracks for motorized vehicles in an area
of less than half an hectare.
(d) Bandas, tents and campsites for touristic purposes.
(e) Access gates and entrances to protected areas.
(f) Construction of administration, educational and research
infrastructure in protected areas of a capacity of less than 50 persons.
(g) Support facilities to (a) to (f).
10. Metallurgy.
Foundry and forging.
11. Mining industry and mineral processing.

(a) Reconnaissance and geophysical surveys.
(b) Geochemical sampling, pitting and trenching.
(c) Support facilities to (a) to (b).
12. Extraction of non-mineral products.

3 3
(a) Extraction of sand, murram and clay of between 2m and 5m per day.
(b) Stone extraction and quarrying of less than 5m3per day.
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13. Petroleum activities and operations.
(a) Upstream:
(i) Reconnaissance.
(ii) Well appraisal.
(iii) Geophysical and geo-technical surveys except for seismic
surveys.
(iv) Well testing, if not covered under the Environmental Impact
Statement.
(v) Plug and abandonment activities.
(b) Midstream:
Rehabilitation of facilities.
(c) Downstream:
Construction of not more than 2 fuel pumps and ancillary facilities.
14. General.
(a) An activity out of character with its surroundings.
(b) A structure of a scale not in keeping with its surroundings.
(c) Minor land use changes in areas with slopes of more than 20%;
including housing construction.
(d) Other activities as advised by the Authority in liaison with the
lead agency.
PART 2—PROJECTS BREIFS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE

LEAD AGENCY.
Screening checklist for projects to be handled by lead agencies in

consultation with the Authority.

(a) Opening up of community access and feeder roads.
(b) Construction of drainage channels.
(c) Upgrading of community access and feeder roads to bitumen
standards.
(d) Temporary roads for access to infrastructure facilities, being
roads of less than 10km.
(e) Construction of walkways and cycle-ways if done separate from
road construction plans
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(f) Small bridge construction.
(g) Swamp road improvement which involves installation of
culverts.
(h) Construction of parking lots for public use with capacity to hold
between 30 to 50 vehicles.
(i) Support facilities to (a) to (h).

infrastructure.
(a) Electricity distribution lines of a voltage of less than 11kV.
(b) Infrastructure at anchoring sites for electricity distribution lines.
(c) Support facilities to (a) to (b).

(a) Construction of community water points.
(b) Construction of small scale gravitational flow schemes.
(c) Extension of piped water in town councils.
(d) Support facilities to (a) to (c).

(a) Construction of planned settlements or housing estates that cover
at least 1 acres but not more than 2.5 acres.
(b) Land allocation for change of land use.
(c) Construction of district, urban council and sub-county
administrative blocks.
(d) Construction of public facilities, including schools and functional
adult learning centres.
(e) Construction of Health Centre II.
(f) Establishment of recreational facilities; including green spaces
and tree planting.
(g) Construction and expansion of day-care facilities and nurseries
located near sensitive ecosystems.
(h) Support facilities to (a) to (g).
5. Agricultural investments, livestock, range management and fisheries.

(a) Construction of agro-processing facilities.
(b) Construction of watering points and treatment facilities.
(c) Establishment of farming demonstration sites.
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(d) Construction of livestock slaughter slabs.
(e) Establishment of community markets.
(f) Construction of biomass energy conservation projects.
6. Forestry.
(a) Selective removal of single tree species over an area of 4 acres.
(b) Firewood extraction and harvest of non-wood forest products.
(c) Establishment of plantations of between 250ha and 500 ha.
7. Metallurgy.
(a) Artisanal mechanical workshops and mechanical works.
(b) Blacksmith and fabrication works.

Extraction of sand, murram and clay of less than 2m3 per day.
9. Waste management facilities.

(a) Construction of sanitary and waste collection facilities at
administrative headquarters, academic institutions and health
centres.
(b) Construction of waste bunkers and collection sites.
(c) Temporary waste storage facilities for garbage.
(d) Construction of public sanitary facilities.
(e) Support facilities to (a) to (d).
Note: Any reference to screening reports or project proposal under any law
for projects covered by this Part shall be construed to mean a project
brief.
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SCHEDULE 5
Sections 49(1) & (2), 113 (2) & (3), 176(1),

177(1), 126(2) & (3) and 181(2).
PROJECTS FOR WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS ARE MANDATORY.
(a) Construction of public roads not being community access roads,
including—
(i) Enlargement or upgrade of existing public roads.
(ii) Construction of flyovers.
(iii) Construction of terminals.
(iv) Construction of parking facilities, including bus and taxi
parks.
(b) Construction of roads to aid specific projects, including
petroleum in-field roads.
(c) Construction of private roads of more than 6 meters in width,
including private roads joining national roads that pass through
fragile ecosystems or involve re-settlement.
(d) Construction of inland container ports.
(e) Construction of large mechanical workshop and vehicle
inspection centres, with a capacity of 50 or more vehicles.
(f) Construction of commercial public roadside resting facilities.
(g) Construction of new railway lines and related facilities or
improvement works to existing railway lines and related
facilities.
(h) Construction of underground and other tunnels for transportation
purposes.
(i) Construction of tramways and cable cars.
(j) Air transport facilities including—
(i) Construction, expansion or upgrade of aerodromes, airports
or airfields.
(ii) Construction, expansion or upgrade of heliports or helipads.
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(k) Water transport facilities including—
(i) Construction of new, or expansion of shipyards, ports and
harbour facilities, jetty and pier development for loading
and unloading connected to land.
(ii) Creation of access waterways of more than 10 kilometres.
(iii) Facilities used in building and repairing all types of ships
above 4,000 tonnes displacement.
(iv) Marinas.
(l) Support facilities to (a) to (j).
2. Communications facilities.
(a) Construction of communications installations, equipment and
related facilities.
(b) Construction and expansion of communications towers; including
satellite stations.
(c) Construction of light houses and watch towers.

infrastructure.
(a) Generation of power from solar PV power plants of more than 2
megawatts.
(b) Exploration and generation of geothermal resources.
(c) Thermal power generation and other combustion installations.
(d) Wind power generation farms of a capacity of at least 10
megawatts.
(e) Generation of power from peat.
(f) Generation, storage or distribution of electricity from gas and
steam energy.
(g) Hydro-power generation facilities; including dams with an
installed capacity of more than 1 megawatt, or where conditions
in Schedule 6 Part 1 paragraph 3(b) have not been met.
(h) High voltage electricity transmission lines.
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(i) Power transmission lines and other means of electrification of
more than 15 kilometers in length.
(j) Electricity distribution lines of a voltage of more than 33kV or
where conditions in Schedule 5 Part 1 paragraph 3(c) have not
been met.
(k) Electrical substations.
(l) Construction of facilities or infrastructure for nuclear reaction,
including—
(i) energy generation.
(ii) production, enrichment, processing and re-processing.
(iii) storage or disposal of nuclear fuels or radioactive products.
(m) Support facilities to (a) to (l).

(a) Abstraction or utilisation of surface water for agricultural,
industrial or urban use of more than 1000 m3/day.
(b) Abstraction or utilisation of ground water of more than 1000m3/
day.
(c) Diversion of water from a river or stream, where the water
discharged is more than 400m3/day or 30% of Internal
Renewable Water Resources over the river catchment.
(d) Dredging of a river or lake.
(e) Underground storage of water of 10,000m3 or more.
(f) Bulk water transfer from one catchment or water body to another.
(g) Flood control schemes.
(h) Construction of valley dams and valley tanks where the threshold
is 1,000,000 m3 or more.
(i) Construction of water pipelines of more than 20 kilometers in
length or with a capacity of more than 500,000 m3 per day of
water.
(j) Construction of large scale gravitational water schemes of more
than 1000 m3/day or where the ecosystem is fragile and sensitive.
(k) Support facilities to (a) to (j).
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(a) Construction of planned settlements or housing estates covering
at least 5 acres.
(b) Establishment or expansion of development zones, industrial
estates and industrial parks.
(c) Construction and expansion of public and private hospitals.
(d) Construction and expansion of educational and research
institutions.
(e) Shopping centres and other commercial complexes covering a
floor area of 2500/10,000m2 or more.
(f) Construction of warehouses.
6. Agricultural investments, livestock, range management and fisheries.

(a) Large scale cultivation of 20 hectares and more.
(b) New biological pest and disease control measures.
(c) Large scale application of agro-chemicals for disease and pest
control.
(d) Large scale irrigation of more than 20 hectares.
(e) Construction of feedlots in densities that exceed 1000 cattle
livestock units and 2000 units for other livestock.
(f) Construction of facilities for commercial aquaculture of 200,000
kilos per year or of an area of one hectare.
(g) Establishment of industrial or commercial fish processing
plants.
(h) Establishment of fish cages for commercial production.
(i) Establishment of aquaculture parks.
(j) Support facilities to (a) to (i).
7. Food and beverage industry.
(a) Brewing, distilling or malting of beer, wines, waragi and other
spirits for commercial purposes of a capacity of at least 1000
litres per day.
(b) Production of non-alcoholic drinks of at least 1000 litres per
day.
(c) Milling facilities with a capacity of at least 1000kilograms per
day, including for grains, cereals, pulse feeds and other agro-
products.
(d) Manufacture and refining of vegetable and animal oils and fats.
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(e) Processing of dairy products.
(f) Abattoirs /slaughter – houses and meat processing plants.
(g) Production of canned foods.
(h) Sugar factories and jaggeries.
(i) Support facilities to (a) to (h).
8. Nature conservation areas.

(a) Creation of wildlife protected areas.
(b) Upgrades to protected areas of community wildlife conservation
areas or community conservation areas outside protected areas.
(c) Introduction of new or alien wildlife species; including
microorganisms to local ecosystems.
(d) Degazettement of wildlife protected and management areas.
(e) Commercial exploitation of wild fauna and flora within and
outside protected areas, including setting of extractive off take
quotas for trade and sport hunting.
(f) Establishment of hunting blocks and areas for sport hunting.
(g) Re-introduction, introduction and translocation of wildlife.
(h) Wildlife farming, including ranching and breeding.
(i) Creation of zoos and other captive wildlife management facilities.
(j) Habituating wild animals for tourism and other purposes.
(k) Support facilities to (a) to (j).
9. Forestry.
(a) Gazetting or degazetting of forest reserves.
(b) Conversion of forested land to other land uses within catchments
and watersheds.
(c) Introduction of new tree species.
(d) Commercial charcoal production.
(e) Extraction of rubber and resins.
(f) Establishment of plantations of more than 500 ha.
10. Hotel, tourism and recreational development.

(a) Construction of luxury tented camps, lodges, hotels, resort and
beach front facilities, subject to buffer zones protected by law.
(b) Development of tourism or recreational facilities in areas of more
than one hectare.
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(c) Construction of accommodation similar to paragraph (a) other
than bandas, tents and campsites and construction of other
tourism or recreation facilities in wildlife or forest protected areas
or near wetlands or other ecologically sensitive areas.
(d) Development of golf courses and associated facilities, provided
that golf courses will not be constructed in protected areas.
(e) Establishment of zip lines, canopy walks, cable cars, hot air
balloons, paragliding, bungee jumping or related infrastructure.
(f) Demolition or significant change of h i s t o r i c
buildings, archaeological sites, national monuments and related
tourism sites.
(g) Establishment of water-based tourism or recreational facilities,
including houseboats, cruises or related facilities.
(h) Permanent racing and test tracks for motorized vehicles in an area
of more than half an hectare.
(i) Construction of administration, educational and research
infrastructure in protected areas of a capacity of more than 50 persons.
(j) Support facilities to (a) to (i).
11. Wood industries.

(a) Manufacture of veneer and plywood.
(b) Manufacture of furniture and medium density fibre products.
(c) Stationary sawmill and shingle mill products industries.
(d) Wood preservation facilities.
(e) Manufacture of pulp, paper and sand-board mills.
12. Textile industry.
(a) Pre-treatment or dyeing of fibres and textiles.
(b) Filature fabric, ginning or carpet mills using dyes (by utilizing
chemical or vegetable dyes and bleaching agents).
(c) Denim or garment industry products and washing facilities.
(d) Industrial type facilities where wool or angora is wrapped, de-
oiled and bleached.
(e) Manufacture of all fibre garments.
13. Tanning and leather industry.

(a) Establishment and expansion of hides and skins processing
facilities (tanneries).
(b) Manufacture of leather and leather products.
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14. Chemical industry.
(a) Manufacture, formulation or re-packaging of industrial chemicals.
(b) Manufacture, formulation or re-packaging of agro-chemicals.
(c) Manufacture, formulation or re-packaging of public health chemicals
and products.
(d) Manufacture, formulation or re-packaging of pharmaceutical
products.
(e) Battery manufacture and re-cycling.
15. Metallurgy.
(a) Manufacture and assembly of motorised and non-motorised
transport products.
(b) Boiler-making and manufacture of reservoirs, tanks and other
sheet containers.
(c) Manufacture of non-ferrous products.
(d) Manufacture of aluminium, iron, steel and related products.
(e) Electroplating.
16. Electrical and electronics industry.

Manufacture and assembly of electrical and electro-mechanical products.
17. Mining industry and mineral processing.

(a) Mineral exploration.
(b) Mining of metal and non-metal minerals.
(c) Processing of minerals, including smelting and refining of ores.
18. Manufacturing of non-metallic products.

(a) Manufacture of rubber products.
(b) Manufacture of glass, glass-fibre and glass-wool.
(c) Manufacture of plastic materials.
(d) Manufacture of tiles and ceramics.
(e) Production of kaolin and vermiculite.
(f) Manufacture of bricks and brick products for commercial
purposes.
19. Assembling plants.

(a) Assembling of motor vehicles, motor cycles and bicycles.
(b) Assembling of other equipment for commercial purposes.
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(a) Extraction of sand, murram and clay of at least 5m3 per day.
(b) Stone extraction and quarrying of more than 5m3per day.
21. Petroleum operations.

(a) Upstream—
(i) Geophysical and geo-technical surveys for seismic
activities.
(ii) Exploration, including drilling, construction, installation
and operation of drilling rigs and related facilities.
(iii) Field development and production activities, including—
(aa) Construction of onshore drilling pads.
(bb) Development of drilling construction, installation and
operation of onshore drilling rigs and their facilities.
(cc) Construction, installation and operation of central
processing facilities.
(dd) Construction, installation and operation of in-field
pipelines and flow-lines.
(ee) Construction, installation and operation of fixed
platforms and mobile platforms.
(iv) Construction of facilities, including storage facilities,
central processing facilities and, pipelines.
(v) Construction, installation and operation of accommodation
and materials bases, including extension of camps.
(vi) Offshore platforms for petroleum and natural gas.
(vii) Construction and installation of water abstraction facilities.
(viii) Decommissioning of petroleum facilities and activities.
(ix) Any other facility or activity for exploration, development,
production, transportation, storage and cessation of activities
or decommissioning of facilities.
(b) Midstream—
(i) Construction of petroleum refinery, conversion plants and
other petroleum processing plants.
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(ii) Storage facilities for petroleum and petroleum products.
(iii) Construction and installation of facilities, including
pipelines, storage facilities and camps.
(iv) Transmission of chemicals, petrochemicals and petroleum
in bulk.
(v) Decommissioning of midstream facilities and operations.
(c) Downstream—
(i) Construction or major modification of installations or
facilities of the petroleum supply chain including—
(aa) Petroleum product depots.
(bb) Fuel filling stations and fuel service stations.
(cc) Facilities for refilling and storage of liquefied
petroleum and natural gas.
(ii) Petrochemical plants; including asphalt plants.
(iii) Transmission of petrochemicals and petroleum
products.
(iv) Construction of other facilities for the transportation,
processing, supply, storage, distribution, wholesale,
retail sale and sale to industrial consumers of
petroleum products and related activities.
(v) Decommissioning of installations and facilities used
in the petroleum supply chain.
22. Waste management facilities.

(a) Transportation of hazardous waste.
(b) Hazardous waste storage and treatment facilities.
(c) Construction of waste management facilities, including—
(i) Landfills.
(ii) incineration plants.
(iii) recovery/re-cycling plants.
(iv) composting plants.
(v) waste water/effluent treatment plant.
(vi) sewage treatment plants.
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(d) Facilities for the disposal of asbestos.
(e) Storage or disposal of nuclear and radioactive waste.
(f) Sewage treatment plants.
23. General.
(a) Installations for the capture of carbon dioxide streams for the
purposes of geological storage from installations covered by this
Schedule, or where the total yearly capture of carbon dioxide is
1.5 megatonnes or more.
(b) Tobacco processing and storage.
(c) Facilities for manufacture of medical and veterinary equipment.
(d) Aerial spraying using chemicals.
162
SCHEDULE 6
Sections 54(9), 55(2) and 181(2).
REGULATED ACTIVITIES IN WETLANDS
1. Brick making.
2. Recreational activities, including spot fishing and maintenance of
green spaces.
3. Cultivation.
4. Sand and clay mining.
5. Drainage.
6. Commercial exploitation of wetland resources.
7. Sewerage filtration.
8. Fishing; using fishing gear and weirs, fish farming and other
aquaculture.
9. Construction of transport and communication facilities, including
roads, railways and telephone lines.
10. Burning.
11. Any exploitative activity which is of a commercial or trade nature,
including harvesting of papyrus for commercial purposes.
163
SCHEDULE 7
Section 59
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE INVENTORY OF

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
1. Ecosystems and habitats containing high diversity, large numbers of

endemic or threatened species, or wilderness; required by migratory
species of social, economic, cultural or scientific importance: or,
which are representative, unique or associated with key evolutionary
or other biological processes.
2. Species and communities which are threatened wild relatives of

domesticated or cultivated species; of medicinal, agricultural or
other economic value; or social, scientific or cultural importance: or
importance for research into the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity, such as indicator species.
3. Described genomes and genes of social, scientific or economic

importance.
164
SCHEDULE 8
Section 70(1) and 181(2).
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED CHEMICALS.
PART I—CHEMICALS PROHIBITED UNDER

THE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Chemical and CAS Number Activity Specific exemption

Production None
Aldrin CAS No: 309-00-2 local ectoparasiticide

Use
insecticide
Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane Production None
CAS No: 319-84-6

Use None
Beta hexachlorocyclohexane Production None

CAS No: 319-85-7
Use None
165
Chlordane Production None
Use local ectoparasiticide
CAS No: 57-74-9
insecticide
Termiticide
Termiticide in build-
ings and dams
termiticide in roads
Additive in plywood
adhesives
Chlordecone Production None

Use
CAS No: 143-50-0
Dieldrin Production None

Use in agricultural oper-
CAS No: 60-57-1
ations
Endosulfan CAS No: 115-29-7 Production None

Use None
Endrin Production None
Use None
CAS No: 72-20-8
166
Heptachlor Production None
Use Termiticide
CAS No: 76-44-8
Termiticide in struc-
tures of houses
Termiticide (subter-
ranean)
Wood treatment in
use in underground
cable boxes.
Hexabromobiphenyl Production None

Use None
CAS No: 36355-01-8
167
Hexabromobiphenyl Production None

Use None
CAS No: 36355-01-8
Hexabromocyclododec- Production None
ane (HBCD) Use None
Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Production None
heptabromodiphenyl ether
Use As specified in
accordance with
the provisions of
part IV of Annex 1
of the Stockholm
Convention.
Hexachlorobenzene Production None
Use intermediate sol-
CAS No: 118-74-1
vent in pesticide
closed system site
limited interme-
diate.
Lindane Production None

Use Human health
CAS No: 58-89-9
pharmaceutical
for control of head
lice and scabies as
second line treat-
ment
Mirex Production None

Use Termiticide
CAS No: 2385-85-5
Pentachlorobenzene Production None

Use None
CAS No: 608-93-5
168
Production None
Articles in use in
accordance with
Polychlorinated biphenyls Part II of Annex A
(PCB) Use of the Stockholm
Convention.
- to be eliminated by 2025
Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Production None
Use Articles in
pentabromodiphenyl ether
accordance with
Part V of Annex A
of the Stockholm
Convention
Toxaphene Production None
Use None
CAS No: 8001-35-2
169
PART II—CHEMICALS PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED
UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES
THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER
Chemical and CAS Number Activity Spe-

cific
exemp-
tion
Hydrobromofluorocarbons Import, export, None
(HBFCs) production and use

Choroflurocarbons (CFCs) Import, export,
CFC-11 production and use
CFC-113
CFC-12
CFC-13
CFC-114
CFC-115
Halons Import, ex- None
port,
HALON 1211 (CF2BrCl) production and use
HALON 1301 (CF3Br)
HALON 2402 (C2F4Br2)
Other fully halogenated Import, ex- None

port,
Choroflurocarbons (CFCs) production and use
CFC-11 (CFCl3)
CFC-12 (CFC2Cl2)
CFC-113 (C2F3Cl3)
CFC-114 (C2F4Cl2)
CFC-115 (C2F5Cl)
CFC-122
170
CFC-212
CFC-213
CFC-214
CFC-215
CFC-216
Carbon tetrachoride Import, export, None
production and use

1,1, 1 - trichloroethane (methyl Import, export, None
chloroform) production and use

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Import, ex- None
port,
(HCFCs)
production and use
HCFC-21 (CHFCl2)
HCFC-22 (CHF2Cl)
HCFC-31 (CH2FCl)
HCFC-123** (CHCl2CF3)
HCFC-124** (CHFClCF3)
HCFC-133 (C2H2F3Cl)
HCFC-141b** (CH3CFCl2)
HCFC-142b** (CH3CF2Cl)
HCFC-225 (C3HF5Cl2)
HCFC-225ca(CF3CF2CHCl2)
HCFC-225cb(CF2ClCF2CH-
ClF)
Prohibition date is 2030 onwards.

Methyl bromide Import, export, None
production and use
171
SCHEDULE 9
Section 76(1) and 181(3)
CATEGORIES OF PERMITTED PLASTICS OR PLASTIC

PRODUCTS MADE OF POLYMERS OF ETHENE,
POLYPROPYLENE
A Industrial Use
Polyethene for packaging of napkins (All varieties)

Polyethene for packaging and manufacture of sanitary pads
Polyethene for packaging and manufacture of baby diapers
Polyethene for packaging and manufacture of wet wipes (adults. Baby,
feminine)
Polyethene for packaging of facial tissues
Polyethene for packaging of pocket tissues
Polyethene for packaging ESST Kitchen towels
Polyethene for packaging C-Fold towels
Polyethene for packaging of Toilet Paper
Shrink sleeves made of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) for labeling water bot-
tles, cosmetic bottles and jars
OPP (Oriented Polypropylene) films used in labeling water bottles
CPP (Cast Polypropylene) used in twist wrapping of candles
Shrink sleeves of PVC used as tamper evident seals in water and cosmetic
products
Printed Polyester film used as substrate for transfer printing of cosmetic
bottles and jars
Polyethene bags used for the packaging of candy sweets, biscuits, pasta,
sugar, salt, rice, candles, soap, detergents and any other food or cosmetic
product requiring moisture barrier properties.
Polyethene films used for shrinks wrapping of water, soaps, and cosmetic
products
Cling film for value addition of tea and coffee
172
Polyethene paper used for wrapping mattresses while in the warehouse
B Agricultural Use
Polyethene used for plants nurturing in nurseries
Polyethene covering green houses
Polyethene bags used for packaging fertilizers into small units for export
C Medical Use
1 Polyethene used for conditioning and packaging of drugs, vaccines and
other medical and pharmaceutical products
D Research and Science
1 Polyethene used for the conditioning of laboratory reactants and other
laboratory products
E Sanitation
1 Polyethene used for the collection and transportation of wastes
F Construction
1 Polyethene used for insulation, roofing and damp proofing in construction
173
SCHEDULE 10
Section 113(2) & (3), 126(2), (3) 176(1), 177(1) and 181(2).
PROJECTS WHICH MAY REQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL AND

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS.
1. Projects not listed in schedule 6 and planned to be located in or

near environmentally sensitive areas such as—
(a) areas protected by international law;
(b) areas declared by national law as protected areas;
(c) community forests, forests in former public land and private
forests;
(d) community wildlife conservation areas;
(e) wetlands, lakeshores, riverbanks and other fragile ecosystems;
(f) areas supporting populations of rare and endangered species;
(g) zones prone to soil erosion or desertification;
(h) areas of historical, archaeological and scientific interest;
(i) areas of cultural and religious significance;
(j) areas used extensively for recreation and aesthetic reasons;
(k) areas prone to bushfires;
(l) areas prone to natural disasters, including geological hazards,
floods, rainstorms and volcanic activity;
(m) hilly and mountainous areas with critical slopes;
(n) recharge areas of aquifers;
(o) water catchments and watersheds containing or supporting major
sources of water;
(p) water bodies characterized by one or any combinations of the
following conditions—
(i) water tapped for domestic purposes;
(ii) water within controlled or protected areas;
(iii) water which supports wildlife outside protected areas and
fishery activities.
(q) areas which act as natural buffers against agents of erosion;
(r) areas of human settlement and areas set aside for infrastructure
development, including sewer lines, storm-water drains and
underground cables.
174
SCHEDULE 11
Section 113 (3) and 182 (2).
PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES EXEMPTED FROM

ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENTS.
1. Emergency situations reported to the appropriate authority within 24

hours of occurrence, including disasters.
2. Clearing of land for subsistence farming, unless cumulative impacts
are adverse.
3. Construction or repair of individual houses.
4. Minor land use changes in areas with slopes of less than 20% including
housing construction.
5. Environmental enforcement actions.
6. Emergency repairs to facilities within the character of the facility’s
surroundings.
7. Health programmes, including nutrition and family planning.
8. Electricity distribution lines of voltage of 415V and below.
9. Construction of tourism trails in protected areas.
10. Change of forest reserve to wildlife protected area and vice versa, or
any other protected area system.
11. Construction of fish ponds of size 10m by 20m.
12. Establishment of no fishing zones, such as fish breeding or nursery
areas.
175
Cross References
Access to Information Act, 2005, Act 6 of 2005.

Agricultural Chemicals Control Act, 2007, Act 1 of 2007.
Atomic Energy Act, 2008, Act 24 of 2008. Civil Procedure Act,
Cap. 71.
Civil Procedure Rules, SI 71-1 Criminal Procedure Code Act,
Cap. 84. Constitution of 1995.
Income Tax Act, Cap. 340. Finance Act, 2009, Act 14 of 2009.
Land Act, Cap. 227
Land Acquisition Act, Cap. 226
National Audit Act, 2008, Act 7 of 2008. National Drug Policy
and Authority Act, Cap.206
National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003, Act 8 of 2003.
Petroleum (Exploration, Production and Development) Act,
2013, Act 3 of 2013.
Petroleum (Refining, Conversion, Transmission and Midstream
Storage) Act, 2013, Act 4 of 2013
Petroleum Supply Act, 2003, Act 13 of 2003.
Physical Planning Act, 2010, Act 8 of 2010.
Public Finance Management Act, 2015, Act 3 of 2015.
Registration of Titles Act, Cap. 230.
Uganda Revenue Authority Act, Cap. 196. Uganda Wildlife
Act, Cap. 200.
176
177
178

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Uganda National Environment Act, 2019

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Act

Act 5 The National Environment Act 2019

National Environment Management Authority.

21. Appointment of technical committees.

Staff of the Authority.

22. Executive Director.

Urban and District Structures for Environmental Management.

26. Environmental management by urban and district councils.

Part III—Funds of the Authorty and

31. Funds of the Authority.

Part IV—Environmental Planning.

44. Environmental planning at the national level.

Part V—Management of the Green Environment

Special Conservation Areas

Environmental Management of Lakes, Rivers and Natural Beaches.

Management and Utilisation of Wetlands

54. Management of wetlands.

Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity

Part VI—Sound Management of Chemicals

70. Prohibition or restriction on import, export, manufacture,

Part VII—Control of Pollution and

Acute Pollution and Emergency Preparedness

89. Duty to have emergency response system against acute pollution.

Part VIII—Management of Waste

96. Duty to manage waste.

Part IX—Establishment of Environmental Standards

Part X—Environmental and Social Assessment

Part XI—Environmental Easements

Part XII—Environmental Compliance

122. Environmental and compliance monitoring.

Part XIII—Judicial Proceedings

Part XIV—Environmental information

146. Right of access to environmental information.

Part XV—International Obligations

Part Xvi—Offences, Penalties, Fees,

Administrative Fees, Fines, Penalties and Charges.

Part XVII—General Provisions

THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ACT, 2019.

Date of Assent: 24th February, 2019.

Date of Commencement: See section 1

Be it enacted by Parliament as follows:

3. Right to a decent environment.

(3) A person may, where the right referred to in subsection (1)

(5) The civil suit referred to in subsection (3) may be to require

(2) A person has a right to bring an action before a competent

(3) Government shall apply precaution and restriction measures

(4) The Minister shall, by regulations, prescribe the conservation

5. Principles of environment management.

Part II—Institutional Arrangements.

Policy Committee on Environment.

6. Policy Committee on Environment.

(1) There shall be a Policy Committee on Environment

(2) The Policy Committee on Environment shall consist of—

(a) the Prime Minister, who shall be the chairperson;

(3) The functions of the Policy Committee on Environment are—

National Environment Management Authority.

8. Continuation of National Environment Management

(2) The functions of the Authority are—

(3) The Authority may, in the performance of its functions under

(4) A person aggrieved by the decision of a lead agency, a

(5) Notwithstanding the exercise by the Authority of its mandate

10. Power of the Authority over lead agencies.

11. Functions of a lead agency.

(3) The Board shall consist of—