We consider the adequacy of the legislative and administrative provisions for environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Uganda. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation was enacted in Uganda in 1995. Although it was intended that social impacts would also be considered, the nomenclature, organizational culture and practice of EIA has given an over-emphasis to biophysical issues, with social issues being under considered. Lack of explicit instructions about how to assess social impacts and the positioning of ESIA too late in the project cycle limit the ability of social issues to be properly considered. From document analysis, an on-line survey, in-depth interviews, reflexive practice, and a literature review, we found that there was inadequate public participation, poor follow-up, low levels of capacity in all stakeholders, and political interference in the project approval process. To improve the effectiveness of ESIA in Uganda and other developing countries, we make recommendations to address the challenges facing ESIA practice.

The paper presents the results of an evaluation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice in Western Uganda with specific reference to the extent of local community consultation. Drawing on experience from Mbarara and Kasese Districts in Western Uganda, a sample of 200 household representatives from the local communities and 20 key informants were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire and an interview guide. The major factors influencing EIA practice appear to be poor engagement with stakeholders, the negative perception of EIA held by developers, lack of capacity for follow-up and enforcement, weak institutional linkages and political interference. This study emphasizes the need for public involvement right from the project inception stage to the decisionmaking stage. It also highlights some positive interventions in achieving effective local community involvement in the EIA process.

Linking environmental assessment (EA) and infrastructure development projects as a result of rapid urbanization reveals serious environmental problems in Kampala City, Uganda. Of the many infrastructure development projects implemented to meet the growing demands of rural -urban influx, few are subjected to EA as part of the project approval process. This paper investigates the environmental impacts of infrastructure development projects that are implemented and seeks to understand the nature of these impacts. The study results suggest that ecological infrastructure is as vital as physical infrastructure for the functioning of the economy -a path that can meet both long-term economic and environmental imperatives. A mechanism for integrating EA into planning and development processes is proposed and the need to look into environmental fiscal reform (EFR), compliance with environmental legislation, integrated urban development policy, and strategic environmental assessment among others is examined.

This paper reflects on the adequacy of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) reports based on a comparative analysis of SEA reports from five country contexts randomly selected. It briefly examines the role of SEA in basin or catchment planning and management. An overview on institutional and organizational context of SEA in Uganda is discussed. Although, SEA has been described as being a tool to improve strategic decision-making by integrating environmental issues into plans, policies and programmes, there is a growing concern on the adequacy of the SEA reports being prepared and how these reports come about. To be able to determine the adequacy of these SEA reports, the analysis focused on the stages of SEA that guide the SEA process. The results of the study show some examples of effective SEA practice, but still some of the case studies never dug deep but rather scratched the surface in terms of SEA process effectiveness. Based on key findings of the study, some recommendations for improving SEA practice for catchment planning are provided. SEA reports should be presenting key issues, providing clear proposals and conclusive results to facilitate the integration of SEA findings in decision-making. As that’s what SEA is about.