Author(s)

P. Songa, J. Rumohr, R. Musota

Abstract

Water policy in Uganda has been based on the IWRM approach since the Water Action Plan was enacted in 1995. A water sector reform study in 2005 recommended moving to catchment-based water resources management. The River Rwizi catchment in south-western Uganda was selected as the pilot catchment for implementation. The catchment is a key source of water for municipal supply, agriculture, tourism and local industry, and frequently suffers water resource shortages. This paper assesses the existing policy and institutional framework, and whether it can support water stewardship initiatives or a catchment management plan. The paper examines the mandates, structure, roles and capacity of the institutions involved in water resources planning and development, within the context of existing national policy framework and the transition to catchment-based water resources management. The institutional structure broadly provides a suitable framework for implementation of national policies and regulations. However, there are areas of weakness which give rise to economic, environmental and regulatory water risk.

Keywords

water risk, water stewardship, policy, capacity, institutions, IWRM, catchment