Analysis of Uganda’s policy and legal framework for the implementation of REDD

• Published in: Environmental science & policy 2019-05, Vol.95, p.38-45
• Main Authors: Namaalwa, Justine, Byakagaba, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Deforestation; Laws; Policies; REDD; Uganda
• ISSN: 1462-9011; 1873-6416
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.02.003

•REDD+ activities are fairly recognized in Uganda’s policies and laws.•Local government Act is not comprehensive for the implementation of sub-national REDD+ projects.•The policies are skewed mostly towards direct drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.•The laws of Uganda mainly provide for reducing deforestation and conservation of forest stocks.•The Agriculture policy is silent on all the REDD+ activities. A supportive policy and legal framework is critical for the implementation of interventions to mitigate climate change such as REDD+. This paper analyses Uganda’s policies and laws, with the purpose of determining whether the policy issue, objectives of policies and laws provide for a supportive environment for REDD+ activities. The policies and laws analyzed include those indicated in Uganda’s Readiness preparedness proposal and any other relevant public policies. The following questions guided the analysis: Are the REDD+ activities as prescribed in proceedings of the 16th COP to UNFCCC recognized in the policy issue and characterized? Are the REDD+ activities reflected in the object and subsequent provisions of the laws reviewed? From the analysis, it was found that deforestation and forest degradation, loss of protected areas, failure to sustainably utilize natural forests, and limited implementation of forest enhancement activities are recognized as a policy issue in some but not all policies. The characterization of deforestation and forest degradation is mostly linked to proximate drivers while barriers to conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks is linked to underlying drivers. Reducing deforestation and forest degradation are the most provided for activities in the policy issue and characterization, while enhancement of forest carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests are the least considered. Reducing forest degradation and conservation of forest stocks are the most provided for in the object and subsequent provisions of the Laws, while enhancement of forest carbon stocks is the least. Conservation of forest carbon stocks and reducing forest degradation are reflected in both policy issue and laws. The current policy and legal framework is suitable mainly for addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation as well as addressing the barriers to conservation of forest stocks.