Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation

This research paper examines the impact of decentralization reforms on environmental accountability and natural resource management in Uganda. It argues that while the legal framework suggests a devolution of power to local governments, actual decision-making authority over protected forests and wildlife remains centralized within line ministries. The author contends that 'collaborative management' schemes are largely advisory and serve to legitimate central government policies rather than empower local citizens, leading to social inequalities and unsustainable environmental outcomes.

• Despite the general decentralization reform, the central government re-centralized legislative and management powers over protected area resources (forests and wildlife) in 1995 after a brief transfer of authority in 1993.
• Collaborative management schemes in areas such as Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Mt Elgon Forest Park, Budongo Forest reserve, and Mabira Forest Reserve lack genuine decision-making power; they are described as a form of 'de-concentration' where the central government retains control and uses the institutions for legitimacy.
• The central government maintains a monopoly on commercial resource extraction by controlling the issuance of permits for timber and charcoal, which often leads to corruption and social differentiation where the wealthy and politically connected benefit most.
• Local governments have very limited environmental powers, restricted to managing local forest reserves of less than 100 hectares and passing bye-laws that do not contradict national laws, but they often lack the financial resources to hire their own forestry officials.
• The relationship between local populations and elected councilors is influenced by poverty; environmental action plans are often tailored as poverty alleviation projects to attract donor funding rather than as long-term environmental protection plans.
• The current management system fails to produce sustainable environmental outcomes because it excludes marginalized groups, such as women and youth, and creates conflicts between those who benefit from the system and those who do not.

APA

Bazaara, N. (2002). Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation. World Resources Institute. http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_bazaara.pdf

Chicago

Bazaara, Nyangabyaki. Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation. World Resources Institute, 2002. http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_bazaara.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bazaara |first1=Nyangabyaki |title=Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=2002 |url=http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_bazaara.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bazaara2002actors, author = {Bazaara, Nyangabyaki}, title = {{Actors, Powers and Environmental Accountability in Uganda’s Decentralisation}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2002}, url = {http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_bazaara.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }