On Friday 20th September 2024, the Uganda COMBO+ Project team at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), launched the popular versions of the National Environment Act (NEA), CAP 181.
The development of the popular versions followed the promulgation of the NEA in June 2019 to which stakeholders thought that an abridged version of the Act was needed. The abridged version of the NEA is supposed to be a simple breakdown of key aspects in the law (NEA) to enhance awareness among the masses.
At the onset of the COMBO+ Project in 2022, the COMBO+ team Uganda initiated discussions with NEMA which culminated in the need to develop the abridged version, also known as a Popular version, given its general outlook to the masses. Additionally, the stakeholders decided that this popular version should be translated to languages commonly spoken in Uganda. For the start, the abridged version has been translated to three native languages i.e. Ateso, Luganda and Runyoro. To develop these products consultants were hired to undertake this task supported by a select committee consisting of NEMA and WCS staff. The final draft was then validated via national review and sub-national (regional) validation workshops. The final drafts were shared with NEMA management for review and approval. Upon approval an initial six hundred (600) copies have been printed and handed over to NEMA.
At the launch, Dr Akankwasah Barirega, the Executive DIRECTOR at NEMA expressed gratitude to WCS, its partners, and funders including the French Development Agency (AFD) and FFEM for the continued support and collaboration on all matters concerning environmental management and governance. Dr Barirega noted that these products are timely and that they will bolster awareness on environmental protection as well as inform enforcement of environmental regulations in Uganda. Dr Grace Nangendo who represented the WCS Uganda Programme Country Director, acknowledged the support from the funders as well as input from all the stakeholders towards the development of these popular versions. In her remarks, Dr Grace emphasised the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in environmental protection and governance. On behalf of the AFD Country Director IN Uganda, Ms Aya Elwattar congratulated all the stakeholders especially the COMBO+ team for this milestone. She urged the stakeholders to ensure wider dissemination for impact. The event was covered by several online, print (here and here) and broadcast media in Uganda.
The team now plans to publish the products online on WCS and NEMA websites and those of partner organisations, including the Uganda Law Reform Commission. The team will then embark on regional dissemination workshops during which these products will be shared with technical personnel at sub-national (district, municipality and town council) authorities.