Title: Analysis of the Efficacy of the legal and institutional framework for Wetland Management in Uganda
Authors: Dr. Kisubi Esther Christine
Mr. Ssozi Rajjabu
Mr. Lukoma Ronald
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Pages: 159-166
Publication Date: 2026/01/28
Abstract:
(Wetlands in Uganda are critical ecosystems that provide essential ecological, economic, and social services, including water purification, flood regulation, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Despite a robust legal and policy framework comprising constitutional provisions, the National Environment Act, the National Wetlands Policy, and international commitments such as the Ramsar Convention, wetland degradation persists due to weak enforcement, institutional fragmentation, political interference, population pressure, land tenure conflicts, and limited public awareness. This study employs a doctrinal research methodology, reviewing statutory instruments, case law, policies, and scholarly literature to analyze the effectiveness of Uganda's wetland governance framework. The study is grounded in Garrett Hardin's Tragedy of the Commons theory, which explains how common-pool resources are prone to overexploitation when individual interests override collective sustainability. Findings indicate that, while legal provisions and emerging jurisprudence provide opportunities for conservation, practical implementation remains constrained by systemic, socio-economic, and institutional challenges. The study recommends strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing judicial oversight, promoting community participation, leveraging technology and monitoring systems, integrating climate adaptation strategies, and utilizing economic incentives and green financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable wetland management. These interventions aim to reconcile ecological preservation with socio-economic development, safeguarding Uganda's wetlands for present and future generations.)