THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

NEBBI DISTRICT STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2008/09

PREPARED BY

DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT OFFICER, NEBBI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

APRIL 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS ...... iii FOREWARD ...... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...... vi Executive Summary ...... vii CHAPTER ONE ...... 1 GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NEBBI DISTRICT ...... 1 1.1 Location and Area ...... 1 1.2 Political and Administrative Structure ...... 1 1.3 Location and Administrative Units ...... 3 1.4 Topography and soils ...... 3 1.5 Climate and vegetation ...... 4 1.6 Hydrology ...... 4 1.7 Demography ...... 4 1.8.1 Poverty Analysis ...... 8 1.8.2 HIV/Aids Analysis ...... 13 1.8.3 Gender Analysis ...... 19 CHAPTER TWO...... 26 2.0 THE STATEOF ENVIRONMENT ...... 26 2.1 The Environmental/Natural Resources, Existing Opportunities in Nebbi District 26 CHAPTER THREE ...... 35 3.0 The Existing Environmental Problems and Management Challenges in Nebbi District ...... 35 3.1 The Key Environmental Problems in Nebbi District ...... 35 3.2 The Management/Institutional Challenges ...... 39 3.3 Strategies in Place and Achievements made ...... 46 CHAPTER FOUR ...... 49 4.1 Future Scenarios in Five to seven Years ...... 49 CHAPTER FIVE ...... 50 5.1 Recommendations ...... 50

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LIST OF ACRONYMS DSOER District State of Environment Report DEAP District Environment Action Plan SEAP Sub-county Environment Action Plan PEAP Parish Environment Action Plan NBI Nile Basin Initiative NEMA National Environment Management Authority DEC District Executive Committee LC Local Council RDC Resident District Commissioner S/C Sub-county T/C Town council DRC Democratic Republic of Congo UBOS Uganda Bureau of Statistics DPU District Planning Unit IGAs Income Generating Activities PMA Plan for Modernization of Agriculture NWSHADP North-west Small Holders Agricultural Development Programme PWD People with Disability IDP Internally Displaced People HC Health Centre VCT Voluntary Counseling and Testing PMTCT Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission TB Tuberculosis ART Anti Retrovirus Treatment STD Sexually Transmitted Diseases PLWA People Living with AIDs ARV Anti Retrovirus HDI Human Development Index UNDP United Nations Development Programme UPE Universal Primary Education NGO Non Governmental Organization

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MAP SHOWING NEBBI DISTRICT IN NORTH WEST OF UGANDA

Yumbe Moyo Kitgum Kaabong Koboko

Adjumani Maracha

Kotido Arua Gulu Pader

Amuru Abim Moroto Nebbi KEY Oyam Lira North East Amuria North Central Apac Dokolo North West Masindi Kaberamaido Katakwi Nakapiripirit Other Districts Amolatar Soroti Kapchorwa Hoima Kumi Nakasongola Bukedea Bukwa Pallisa Nakaseke Kamuli Sironko Kaliro Budaka Bundibugyo Kibaale Kiboga Mbale Kayunga Butaleja Luwero Manafwa Iganga Tororo Kabarole Kyenjojo Jinja Mubende Mityana Bugiri Wakiso Mukono Mayuge Busia Kamwenge Kampala Kasese Mpigi Sembabule Ibanda

Masaka Bushenyi Kiruhura Kalangala Rukungiri Mbarara

Rakai Isingiro Kanungu Ntungamo

Kisoro Kabale

iv

FOREWARD

The District State of Environment Report is an important Public Awareness document that provides information to the general public on the state of Environment in the District. The District Environment Office is mandated to produce this document annually which then feeds into the National State of Environment Report which is produced bi-annually by NEMA.

Nebbi District Development Mission is “To serve the community through the co- ordinated delivery of services which focus on national and local priorities and contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of the District”

Nebbi Development Goals is „To improve income of the poor, improve the quality of life in the District and promote good governance, harmony and Security‟

Nebbi District Environment Vision: “District with clean, healthy and productive environment for sustainable Development”

These are all geared towards Sustainable Environmental Management and Development to improve the livelihood of the People of Nebbi District through participatory approach for effective management of the Environment.

This document presents the general Background of the District, Environment and Development, and discusses the linkages between the two, the issues of Natural resources endowment, investment opportunities, and management, Environmental Challenges, future scenarios, and recommendations to address the Environmental issues and challenges.

The tasks ahead is to mobilisation resources for effective co-ordination, networking and linkage with all development stakeholders for effective management of the Environment in Nebbi District; Participatory community mobilisation; and Integrated approach to plan and implementation Environmental Management Plans.

Finally, I wish to emphasis that the council has the will and commitment to ensure effective Environmental Management in the District.

For God and my Country

John Pascal Wapokrwa CHAIRMAN NEBBI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The District State of Environment Report is an important Public Awareness document that provides information to the general public on the state of Environment in the District. The District Environment Office is mandated to produce this document annually which then feeds into the National State of Environment Report which is produced bi-annually by NEMA. It is important to note that various stakeholders contributed towards the development of this document; from the Lower Local Governments to Higher Local Governments and the Civil Society Organizations.

I would wish to acknowledge the special contribution made by the following:

The District Chairperson and the District Executive Committee whose good political will has contributed towards improved Environmental Management; The District Committee for Production, Environment and Natural Resources that has the will and commitment to wards effective Environmental Management, and the District Council which approves all Environmental Management Plans.

I highly appreciate the District Heads of Departments and Sector Heads for their special contribution in terms of information and data for production of the District State of Environment Report.

Gratitude goes to all the 19 Lower Local Governments most especially the Development Planners who provided adequate information for integration into this document.

Finally, I wish to appreciate NEMA for the Technical Support they provided to develop the Nebbi District State of Environment Report for Financial Year 2008/09.

Joseph Balisanyuka CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER-NEBBI

vi Executive Summary

This Paper entails Key Environmental resources/opportunities that exist in Nebbi District, key Environmental problems and Management Challenges, Current Strategies in place and achievements made, Strategies to address the environmental problems and Management Challenges, Future scenarios (in five to seven years time).

Chapter one presents the general background information on Nebbi District which include; Political and Administrative Structure, Location and Area, the Sectoral Committees, Location and Administrative Units, Topography and soils, Climate and vegetation, Hydrology, Demography, Analysis of Crosscutting Issues such as Poverty Analysis, Livelihood analysis, HIV/Aids Analysis and Gender Analysis

Chapter two discuses the State of Environment as regards the Existing Environmental/Natural Resources and Opportunities in Nebbi District. They Include; Fresh Water Resources, Safe Water Coverage, Agriculture, Minerals, Forest Resources /Tree Species Diversity, Wetlands and Eco-Tourism.

In Chapter three Existing Environmental Problems and Management Challenges in Nebbi District are discussed. The Key Environmental Problems in Nebbi District include; Soil degradation, uncontrolled tree cutting/deforestation, wetlands/river bank encroachment and degradation, uncontrolled bush burning, poor solid waste management and over fishing. The Management/Institutional Challenges are also presented in this chapter and proposed strategies in the District Environment Action Plan (DEAP), Environmental Mainstreaming Analysis Matrix-2008, and Strategies in Place and Achievements made.

Chapter four present the future scenario in five years to come which is dependant upon the amount of effort will be put in place to ensure sustainable Environmental Management in Nebbi District and Uganda as a whole.

Chapter five entails recommendations to enhance effective Environmental Management and to cub the gaps or management challenges presented and Conclusion.

vii CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NEBBI DISTRICT

1.1 Location and Area

Nebbi district is located in North-Western Uganda between 2°30‟ and 2°45‟ north of equator and 30°45‟ and 31°10‟ east of the prime meridian. Arua District borders it to the North, Amuru District to the east, Masindi district to the south-east and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west and south-west. Generally, Nebbi District is in the West Nile Sub-region.

It covers a total area of 3,288 sq km (which is 1.2% of the total national area), with a perimeter of 353 km. This is sub-divided into arable land (62%), game reserves (29.1%), swamps and open water (6.4%) and forest reserves (2.5%). The wetlands (permanent is 32.7 sq km, papyrus swamps is 27.7 sq km, reed swamp is 40 sq. km; seasonal, 78.6 sq. km) constitute 111.3 sq km

1.2 Political and Administrative Structure

The district is divided into 16 rural sub-counties, three town councils, 87 parishes including town wards and 11329 villages. The administration headquarters is located in Nebbi Town Council.

Nebbi District Council is the policy making organ of the Local Government headed by the LCV Chairman who is supported by an Executive of 5 members, 5 Sectoral Committees which deliberate policy matters and make recommendations to the full Council of 36 Councilors.

The Sectoral Committees include:

 Administration, finance and planning and Investment Committee - Management Support Services. - Finance, Planning and Investments - Council, Committee, Commissions and Boards.

 Production, Environment and Natural Resource Committee - Production and Marketing. - Natural Resources Department: Forestry, Environment, Wetlands and Lands

 Roads, Water and Works Committee - Water Sector - Engineering, Roads and works

 Education, Sports, Health and Sanitation - Education and Sports - Health and Environment Sanitation

 Gender, Labour, Elderly and Community Services - Directorate of Community Services

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The Resident District Commissioner, which represents the President in the District and ensures that both National and Local priorities are given due consideration and are implemented in an accountable manner. The office is responsible for monitoring all government programs.

The Sub counties, Town Councils, Parishes and Villages have Councils and Executive Committees, which coordinate the various functions. In addition, there are several CSOs, and members of the private sector who work together with the district council to deliver services to the community.

The Technical team is headed by the Chief Administrative Officer, has 9 functional directorates with a total of 3132 staff, including headquarter based staff, sub-county staff, Primary school teachers and Health workers.

The Directorates include:

 Management Support Services.  Finance, Planning and Audit.  Production and Marketing.  Works and Technical services.  Natural resources.  Education and Sports.  Health services.  Gender and Community services.  Commissions and Boards.

2 1.3 Location and Administrative Units Nebbi District is located in the North-Western part of Uganda (in the West Nile Sub- region), boardered by Arua District to the North, Amuru District to the East, Masindi District to the South-east and Democratic Republic of Congo to the West and South- west.

Source: Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Entebbe

1.4 Topography and soils

Geological activities produced a conspicuous morphology in the district. Faulting and rifting along the western arm of the East African rift valley zone extends from Panyimur into Jukia hills. Up-arching and tilting affected the Okoro uplands. As a result, differences in localized diastrophic forces led to a variation in relief with a marked ascend towards the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jonam County has a flat relief, Padyere is a raised plateau and Okoro is generally a highland. Metamorphic rocks are widespread and sedimentary rocks pre-dominate most parts of Jonam County along Lake Albert and Albert Nile basin. Ranitic intrusions on the other hand are common features in Padyere and Okoro counties.

The geographic and environmental differences noted above have produced different soils. Jonam is dominated with young and immature lithosols unlike Okoro with intermediate and mature soils. By compositions soils in Okoro and parts of Padyere are

3 mainly ferallitic soils. Along the slopes and valleys hydromorphic soils exists while vertisols and ferruginous soils of negligible productivity predominate in Jonam.

1.5 Climate and vegetation

Nebbi district exhibits a purely tropical climate due to her location within the eastern topographical rainfall zone. The dry and sub-humid climate is associated with orographic rainfall and hail/thunderstorms. Rainfall is bimodal in nature with peaks in May and October. The first short and usually unreliable rainfall is from late March – May, while the second and more reliable rains falls in the July – October period. Dry spells are experienced in June – July and December – early March. Temperature is generally high except in Okoro and parts of Padyere County.

Climate and altitude explain the predominance of the Savannah vegetation in Nebbi District. The pattern of distribution however varies distinctly with Jonam dominated by thick dotted grassland, Padyere wooded dry and most Savannah grassland, and open grassland in Okoro. Fairly high population densities have an important effect on the original vegetation. Wooded areas are being cleared for agriculture; provide construction wood for the (semi-permanent) dwellings and fuel wood is used by 99% of the population.

1.6 Hydrology

Apart from subterranean hydrology, major surface water bodies include Lake Albert and the Albert Nile with dendrites and parallel patterned tributaries that originate from the inland upland terrain. Rivers like Nyagak, Ora, Acwera, Ayila and Namrwodho are permanent although the volume of flow fluctuates considerably during the seasons. Others such as Kopio, Wangnyang, Oceke, Cido, Kivuje, are either seasonal or intermittent.

1.7 Demography

History and Population

Nebbi district (then known as the South-West Nile district until 1979), was gazetted from the former West Nile District in 1974. The district is a polyglot society in which the various ethnic groupings (Alur, Jonam, Kebu, Lendu, Madi and Lugbara) have diverse historical origins dating as far back as 1000 AD.

The Luo migration in the 15th Century from southern Sudan (Bar-el-ghazel swampy region) provided the basis for the people in the district. The split at Puvungu and the subsequent radical movement left a remnant of Luo speakers in the area. Inter-marriage, return migration and exchanges with the Sudanese speaking people (Madi and Lugbara) who had settled in the area by 1000 AD caused common characteristics. Later the Alur society with royal regalia, and bureaucratic specialization of duties and social stratification developed and replaced the egalitarian pre-feudal societies.

4 Colonialism found a limited degree of civilization of society. The semi-segmentary set- ups had chieftainships at the core of the political and socio-economic systems. However, the 1960‟s demarcation of the boundary did divide the Alur people between Uganda and the DRC.

The majority of the people in Nebbi District are of Nilotic origin (98%). Of these, 91% are of Alur ethnicity. Minority groups in the district include Lendu and Kebu in Kango, Zeu and Atyak sub-counties, Acholi- Labwor in Wadelai, Madi in Kango and Nebbi and the Lugbara in Wadelai, Nebbi, Kucwiny and Atyak sub-counties. The Nyarwanda/Nyankole of Hima origin is sparsely distributed depending on the availability grazing land for their pastoral activities.

Population Size, Growth and Distribution

According to the 2002 Population and Housing Census, the population of Nebbi district is 433,466 composed of 48% males and 52% females. Children under 15 years make up 46.4% of the population and the elderly (over 65% years) constitute 3%. This makes the districts total dependency ratio high (98% of which 92% are child dependant). The district‟s population is distributed as 90.2% rural and 9.8 urban. Okoro County has 39% of the total district population compared to Padyere 38% and Jonam 23%. This distribution reflects the different agricultural potentials of the counties, as can also be seen from the population densities (persons per sq. km): highest in Okoro (>200), compared to Padyere (>100) and Jonam (<100).

The population growth rate of 2.69 is due to the combined effect of a high fertility rate and declining levels of mortality (especially young and childhood mortality). This means the district‟s population is predominantly young with a median age of only 16.6 (slightly higher than the national median of 16.3 years)

Population Structure

A young population that will sustain high population growth levels for years to come Males have higher death rates at infancy and childhood while females‟ death rate increases with entry into reproductive age Females outlive males at older age. The higher age structure points to a history of high mortality at every cohort level. The dominantly young population implies a great need for services such as health and education and ultimately employment.

Population distribution by sub-county and sex ration (male / Females), 2002

Sub-county Male Female Total Sex Ratio

Population % Population % Population %

Pakwach 1.80 8,409 1.94 16,198 3.74 7,789 92.63 Pakwach 1.95 9,641 2.22 18,092 4.17 TC 8,451 87.66

5 Panyango 3.36 16,160 3.73 30,733 7.09 14,573 90.18 Panyimur 2.35 10,777 2.49 20,968 4.84 10,191 94.56 Wadelai 1.63 7,834 1.81 14,900 3.44 7,066 90.20 Subtotal 11.09 52,821 12.1 100,891 23.28 (Jonam) 48,070 9 91.01 Atyak 2.20 10,465 2.41 19,982 4.61 9,517 90.94 Jangokoro 2.51 11,917 2.75 22,779 5.26 10,862 91.15 Kango 2.91 13,706 3.16 26,337 6.08 12,631 92.16 Nyapea 2.52 11,638 2.68 22,564 5.21 10,926 93.88 Paidha TC 2.64 12,532 2.89 23,973 5.53 11,441 91.29 Paidha 2.80 13,448 3.10 25,583 5.90 12,135 90.24 Zeu 3.03 13,998 3.23 27,133 6.26 13,135 93.83 Subtotal 18.61 87,704 20.2 168,351 38.84 (Okoro) 80,647 3 91.95 Akworo 1.73 8,009 1.85 15,490 3.57 7,481 93.41 Kucwiny 2.28 10,728 2.47 20,604 4.75 9,876 92.06 Erussi 4.69 21,587 4.98 41,911 9.67 20,324 94.15 Nebbi 1.83 8,597 1.98 16,513 3.81 7,916 92.08 Nebbi T/C 2.53 12,241 2.82 23,190 5.35 10,949 89.45 Nyaravur 2.34 11,196 2.58 21,355 4.93 10,159 90.74 Parombo 2.77 13,161 3.04 25,161 5.80 12,000 91.18 Subtotal 18.16 85,519 19.7 164,224 37.89 (Padyere) 78,705 3 92.03 Total 47.85 226,044 52.1 433,466 100.00 207,422 5 1.76 Source: 2002 Population and Housing census. UBOS Provisional Result November 2002

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Nebbi District Population Projections As At (30th June 2007)

County/Sub- No. of MALE FEMALE TOTAL Average county Househol Household ds Size Jonam 19453 53,650 59,441 113,091 5.1 Pakwach 2978 8,176 8,829 17,005 5.0 Pakwach T/C 3312 9,286 10,751 20,037 5.2 Panyango 6196 16,308 18,201 34,509 4.9 Panyimur 4335 11,370 12,196 23,566 4.8 Wadelai 2632 8,510 9,,464 17,974 5.9

Okoro 36582 92,338 99,841 193,179 4.6 Atyak 4824 11,767 12,646 24,413 4.4 Jang Okoro 4806 12,476 13,686 26,162 4.8 Kango 5695 14,363 15,378 29,741 4.6 Nyapea 4839 12,246 13,047 25,293 4.6 Paidha 5363 13,843 14,874 28,337 4.6 Paidha T/C 5211 13,063 14,311 27,374 4.6 Zeu 5844 14,960 15,899 30,859 4.6

Padyere 34005 90,538 99,125 189,663 4.9 Akworo 3080 8,325 9,103 17,428 5.0 Erussi 8941 24,429 25,621 50,050 4.9 Kucwiny 4445 11,466 12,603 24,069 4.8 Nebbi 3463 9,348 10,094 19,442 4.9 Nebbi T/C 4715 11,950 13,902 25,852 4.8 Nyaravur 4444 11,705 12,950 24,655 4.8 Parombo 4917 13,314 14,853 28,167 5.0 Nebbi District Total 90040 236,526 258,407 495,933 4.8 Source: District Population Office-DPU June 2007

The above table shows that the highest percentage of the district population is in Okoro and Padyere counties with 38.84% and 37.9% of the total district population respectively whereas Jonam is the least populated with a meager 23.4%.

7 1.8 ANALYSIS OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES

1.8.1 Poverty Analysis

According to the community consultative process that was initiates through the Nebbi District Participatory Poverty Assessment (2002) in a sampled five Lower Local Governments of Parombo, Zeu, Panyimur, Pakwach T/C and Nebbi T/C, poverty was perceived differently based on geographical location, nature of economic activities and social status. However, poverty was generally summarised “as the inability to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, basic health care, basic education, lack of information and inadequate household items like paraffin, salt and soap”. In addition, the lack of opportunities for survival and employment, and having limited or low productive assets such as farm tools and land emerged strongly in the definitions of poverty. The table below indicates the perception of poverty according to the different category of people interviewed:

Definition of poverty by category Category Definition Community Lack of basic necessities Inadequacy of basic necessities Key informants (Village It is a disease Bank Managers, Head Difficulty of situation such as feeding, lack of money teachers, opinion leaders etc A situation where one is unable to be at a livelihood that is good Children and Youth Lack of what to eat Lack of scholastic materials Lack of good clothing and shoes Source: Zeu Sub-County Focus group discussion

Poverty in rural areas is already a vicious cycle; poor people are marrying early, resulting into poor health as a result of maternal issues for both the parents and children. School attendance is in some cases are rare for school age going children and continuation beyond primary education is difficult especially for girls.

The Urban Council community looks at poverty as lack of material needs and inability to engage in gainful activities, in most cases related to business (trade). Support to starting, planning and management of small business could therefore be an area that can be taken up by the Urban Councils. This can be through linkages to other development agencies or use of its community service department.

Causes and Effects of Poverty:

A pair-wise ranking was used to prioritise the causes and dimension of poverty in the district and the result is as below: The manifestation is in form of resource ownership, access to basic requirements of life, low level of literacy with over 85% of the population living on less than a dollar a day. This is aggravated by the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic mostly hitting the poor. The overcrowded village trading centers are at a higher risk with little acceptance of condom usage and family planning services.

8 Summary of Poverty Analysis S/No. Informant Poverty Causes Effects Mitigation Category issues strategies 1 Women Poor and Distant and poor Ill health, poor Establish and distant health health centres, market access, equip health facilities, high inadequate safe divorse/domestic facilities, disease water, lack of violence increase safe prevalence, improved seeds, water coverage, low household poor road net encourage income and work and low improved and low agric yield price for agric high value produce crops 2 Youth Idleness, lack Unemployment, Prostitution, Improve on the of knowledge ignorance and theft, death and non-formal and skills, lack of skills street movement education and HIV/AIDS introduce IGAs scourge and mitigate HIV/AIDS 3 Men Poor faming Poor leadership, Low income, Train on methods, low lack of improved food shortage modern farming household seeds, lack of poor education, methods, income, no market for loss of dignity improve gainful produce and low selection, business and level of education planning and high illiteracy management of rate IGAs & improve educ. Std. 4 The Low life Lack of food and Ill health, Train and plan Elderly expectancy, health care, lack hopelessness, of the isolation of social support. frustration, management of loneliness and regression and vulnarable old age death groups and encourage reintegration. 5 Rural Ignorance, Lack of productive Conflict, food Support FAL, areas poor assets, poor insecurity, Improve on infrastructure, market access witchcraft, low social services land and prices, lack of income, envy and improve on degradation, social network, poor education environment fragmentation lack of management and negative tools/implements cultural and remoteness practices 6 Urban Poor utilities, Lack of food and High cost of Speed up the areas urban unemployment living and piped water immigration prostitution installation, and poor reduces nutrition immigration 7 Fishing Congestion, Lack of fish, low Low income, Protect fish community fish depletion yield and no poor nutrition, from deplation

9 and poor alternative idleness and through fishing employment poor savings stringent bye methods laws 8 Key Lack of skills in Poor resource Low household Train informants PEAP management, lack income,high cost population on management, of knowledge and of living low poverty inadequate absence of growthand reduction skills planning for peasant friendly development and encourage and lending systems, Private Public management poor marketing Partnership. of resources strategies and low price for agric produce.

Livelihood analysis

This analysis is discussed in terms of asset base, expenditure patterns, access, control and the ownership of resources as experienced at the household level by men, women, youth and children.

The participatory poverty assessment conducted in the district has important findings about the livelihood of different groups amongst the poor that have significant implication on policy formulation processes that focus on poverty alleviation in the rural areas such as the PMA, NWSHADP and even extension services programmes. Some of the strongest findings/recommendations are crosscutting and are presented below:

PMA is not yet benefiting the poor directly. Close examination and learning from the people especially on experience sharing on how the programme is improving/expanding/diversifying the livelihood outcomes of the beneficiaries is now essential.

Local taxes, levies and bureaucratic controls (both legal and illegal) are serious constraints on the expansion and promotion of economically improving activities. The process of revenue collection by lower local government must be reviewed.

The district/sub-county extension services focus on very few targeted subsistence farmers and yet majority of the population are subsistence farmers.

The NWSHADP that targets marketing and market information should intensify its performances and reach the farmers.

Limited access to rural credit schemes has directly aggravated the poverty trend to the worst.

Poor marketing of agricultural outputs to enhance sale and increase of farmer‟s income.

As noted earlier, subsistence crop farming is a full time job for all household in rural settings especially communities outside the river/lake banks. Apart from coffee and cotton, most crops are grown for consumption as the little slot is to meet basic needs at the household mainly on health and food consumption and very little is ploughed back in

10 money generating ventures. The main source of income is witnessed in the growing of cash crops which is the male domain. Women have no steady income source of their own, since the petty business and brewing they undertake is strictly to meet basic home requirements. Further, Women have limited access, ownership and control over most livelihood productive resources/assets such as land, livestock, farm tools, and credit facilities. This situation makes women more vulnerable to poverty than men.

Most communities along the Lake Albert and the River Nile eke their living by fishing and related activities. There is variety of fish types in the waters. Fishing methods are still rudimentary and illegal. Fishing community reports poor fish catch due to depletion of fish in the lake and ban on small fishing nets by government. Traditional methods for processing; salting, sun drying and smoking are dominant and these were noted to have a negative bearing on post harvest losses. Governments through its agencies and the private sector could turn this sub-sector by modernising the fishing industries and making them available in the rural areas but still focus on sustainable harvest, upgrading of facilities at landing sites, improving processing and marketing.

Summary of livelihood means and categories involved RESPONSIBLE PERSONS ACTIVITIES CHILDREN ADULT Boys Girls Men Women Crop farming     Petty Business     Brewing   Forestry   Apiary   Hand crafts   Brick making    Animal Rearing    Fish Farming    Remittances    

Key  Involvement More involvement 

The above table portrays that men/boys are more involved in productive and income generating activities while women/girls are engaged in the basic household/family survival activities and subsistence farming. This contributes to the low income characteristics of women in Nebbi society.

11 Poverty Trends

According to the community, there was little knowledge of the trend of poverty however, most community intimated an upward trend. The negative poverty trends were largely associated with poor productivity, inadequate market access and low price, crop and animal pest.

The community generally agreed that there is improved access to social services particularly education, water and health during the past five years. Apart from shoddy works in some SFG schools, the community says the services are being delivered, but called for the leadership to monitor closely the provision of services.

Figure indicating the Trend in poverty (livelihood) during the past 5 years

LIVELIHOOD TREND IN NEBBI DISTRICT

4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5

CONSUMPTION('000,000) 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 YEAR

Poor Middle Better Off Average Source: Nebbi District Poverty Assessment-Livelihood Survey 2006. Figure in UGX „000

The Poor Priority Proposals during Consultation

Most of the priority issues identified by men, women, youth, orphans, the elderly and persons with disabilities focus on basic services; health, education and roads, income generation; capital, basic assets and economic opportunities; marketing and employment. The below table shows the various priorities which need policy responses.

12

Priorities for specific categories of the poor Social Group Needed Priority Policy Action Men Electricity, Market, Heath Units, marketing information and Clean water Women Capital, inclusion, Health Services, water and sanitation Youth Employment, Education, Health, Road improvement and accommodation Elderly Employment, Accommodation, Security, Tax exemption, Welfare Orphans Education, Food, Health, Employment, Accommodation and Clothes People with Disabilities Start up capital, Market, support equipment, health, (PWD) education and welfare.

Sub-County Poverty Status High Poverty Areas Medium Poverty Areas Low Poverty Areas Jangokoro, Wadelai, Nyapea, Panyimur, Nebbi TC, Paidha TC, Panyango, Pakwach, Parombo, Paidha, Erussi, Pakwach TC Nebbi, Akworo, Nyaravur, Paidha S/C Atyak, Kango, Kucwiny, Zeu

Poverty in the district is more pronounced in the rural areas than urban centres, out of the district population of 433,466; a total of 368,211 (85%) live in rural areas and only 65,155 (15%) live in urban centres.

Poverty levels within the population (women, men, youths, children, PWD, IDPs) Out of the district population 226,044 (52%) are female and 207,422 (48%) are male. The main economic activity of the people is Agriculture, and most of the labour force is provided by women, yet decisions making is reserved for men. This kind of scenario has rendered the women and other vulnerable groups more power compared to men. Hence a deliberate effort to address the vulnerable group is intended in Agriculture in order to address this scenario.

1.8.2 HIV/Aids Analysis

The AIDS pandemic has affected different sections of the population causing loss of productive manpower, increase in numbers of orphans and dependants that translate into socio- economic stress. There is thus, no doubt that the disease is a major development challenge that undermines the attainment of the development goals of all sectors in the district.

Laboratory services are basic in HIV service delivery as the patients have to be tested, and still need follow-up with laboratory back-up. Only nineteen health facilities out of the current 57 have laboratories.

13 This area has developed quickly over the last three years. Whereas some voluntary counselling and testing was being done at the hospitals and Goli HC, five VCT sites were established with the help of Aids Information Centre at Nebbi, Angal and Nyapea Hospitals and Pakwach HC IV.

Summary of achievements under HIV /AIDS Summary of counselling done and the testing results No. No. tested No. of No. No. testing No. of No. of HIV +ve No. of No. of Counsell for HIV 1st time received HIV +ve HIV +ve with active TB couples clients ed testers HIV test clients counselled referre result screene and tested d out d for TB for VCT 2874 2680 1024 2308 293 34 11 52 84 Summary of PMTCT activities No. of No. of No. of Pregnant No. of No. of Mother –infant No. of No. of pregnant pregnant pregnan women pregnant HIV +ve pairs returning babies babies mothers mothers t received women who women for follow born to who attending offered mothers HIV test tested +ve receiving up/visited in HIV +ve took ANC HIV who results ARV for their homes mothers ARV at Counsellin accepte PMTCT birth g d HIV testing 31,033 13,421 3,224 3,019 107 61 6 6 6 Summary of OI Care No of HIV +ve persons treated for No. of patients on ART No. referred out for care and treatment OI 596 2 28 Summary of STI Care No. of No. of No. of No. of STD No. of STD No. of No. of patients No. of No. of patients individuals patients patients patients +ve STD offered individuals patient offered diagnosed treated tested for for HIV patients counselling and diagnosed s counselli with STDs for HIV referred education in with STDs treated ng and STDs out for STD for education VCT STDs in STD 6,526 5,940 5,298 60 21 390 6,526 5,940 5,298 Adolescent Services No. who benefited from No. who benefited from clinical No who benefited from Outreaches for Information campaign for youth reproductive health services HIV education 680 349 3,858 Support to PLWA

No. of cases who benefited from Home Based No. of cases who benefited from organisations offering Nutrition Medical Care /food security 11 68 Source: Health Department, 2007

14 PMTCT SERVICES

Month New ANC Pregnant Pregnant Pregnant Pregnant attendances women women positive women women tested for for HIV given ARVs given HIV for ARVs for prophylaxis treatment July 2738 596 27 12 3 August 2514 305 13 3 2 September 1891 55 2 3 0 October 2326 333 5 3 1 November 2047 333 18 5 1 December 2067 365 5 3 6 January 3110 447 18 10 3 February 2521 170 8 6 2 March 3252 497 4 12 0 April 2921 55 1 4 0 May 2931 0 0 0 0 June 2715 68 6 0 0 Total 31033 3224 107 61 18 HIMS Data 2006/2007

PMTCT services_FY 2006/2007

35000

31033

30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000 3224

107 61 18 0 New ANC attendances Pregnant women tested for Pregnant women positive Pregnant women given Pregnant women given HIV for HIV ARVs for prophylaxis ARVs for treatment

The table implies that:  There is a service delivery gap in terms of sensitisation reaching the pregnant mothers especially on delivery in health facilities. Equally important is the fact

15 that the low levels of mothers who participate in testing under the PMTCT, is a factor of social stigmatisation and low involvement of the male partners.

 Quality counselling services is a very powerful tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS as evidenced from the table depicting the relationship between people counselled and those who accepted testing as a result of counselling. This therefore calls for intensified counselling interventions more especially training of more Counsellors at the Health unit level and also scaling up of VTC centres to all HC III.

 Utilisation of opportunistic infection services is still very low, most probably because patients prefer to get services from the private clinics. This therefore, poses a serious question on the quality of services that are administered to the patients based on the fact most of the private clinics are operated by unqualified business minded individuals. Another contributing factor could be the fact that most of the HIV positive people prefer to go for OI services in Arua referral hospital. This trend is reinforced by the availability of consistent package of ARVs and nutritional support services in Arua hospital which are totally lacking in Nebbi district.

 Services reaching the adolescents and PLWA are low if compared to the population in each group. The case of PLWA is attributed to the limited number of service points and providers. The department depends mainly on the five PMTCT sites to reach the PLWA.

 Consultations are going on about opening more VCT and PMTCT sites in the district. The places being targeted are HC III of Goli, Parombo, Panyimur and Wadelai. Figures from PMTCT implementation sites for the period June – November 2004 indicate that 5.7% of the women tested were positive.

Two years ago staffs from Nebbi hospital and Nyapea hospital were trained on basic ART. ARV services were opened in Nebbi Hospital in 2007 by Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) with support from USAID, and expected be scaled up within the next 3 years.

16

Key HIV/AIDS issues

No. Issue Cause Impact Mitigation Measures 1 Low Only 5 centres Low VCT uptake, Scaling up VCT to 9 more centres, VCT offering VCT no access to ARVs acquisition of testing kits and coverag services by the beneficiaries reagents, training of councilors e and continious and lab technicians and medical spread officers and community awareness creation

2 Inacces Only 2 hospital Defaulting of clients Scaling up of ART to one more sibility of offering ART in leading to drug centre-Pakwach HCIV, training of ARVs by the District resistance, poor councilors and lab technicians and PHAs quality of life of medical officers in ART and clients PHAs community awareness creation on ARVs

3 Inacces Only 2 hospital PHAs are proned to Scaling up of septrin prophylasis sibility of offering ART in opportunistic administration to HCIII, training of septrin the District infection,and poor HWs in cotrimoxazole prophylasis, prophyla quality of life of the acquisition of septrin drugs and xis by PHAs community awareness on ARVs PHAs and seprtrin prophylasis clients 4 Lack of In adequate Increased health Training and sensitization of 360 post number of trained workers infection hWs on PEP, and initiationof PEP exposur staff rate,no access to in 3 hospitals and 38 HCIIIs e ART services and prophyla loss of human xis in resource due to health HIV/AIDS facilities 5 Inadequ Inadequate Low VCT Sensitization of leaders, ate sensitisation utilization,low male production of IEC, community knowled involvement in VCT sensitization on PMTCT/VCT ge on and PMTCT and PMTCT inadequate and resource other mobilisation core HIV

17 services amongst commun ity leaders 6 Few HIV Discrimination, Infants born with Sensitization of leaders, positive stigmatization, HIV infection and production of IEC, training of HW mothers separation/divorc mothers and infants in infant feeding and form PSS participa e, lack of not accessing groups in 5 PMTCT/VCT centers te in openness neverapine drugs Peer Psychos ocial Meeting s 7 Lack of High illiteracy Infants born with Sensitization of leaders, knowled level among HIV infection and production of IEC, training of HW ge and women, poverty mothers and infants in infant feeding and form PSS skills in and difficulty in not accessing groups in 5 PMTCT/VCT centers infant coping up with neverapine drugs feeding new changes among HIV positive mothers 8 No Not initiated Poor /no resource Sensitization of leaders at all HIV/AID mobilization and levels, initiate coordination point in S inadequate all pariches coordina planning and ting monitoring of HIV mechani /AIDS infection sm at lower levels- sub- county- Parishes and villages

18 1.8.3 Gender Analysis

Gender is a critical variable in the development process. It addresses issues to do with differences between women and men, boys and girls within the same households, and within and between cultures that are socially and culturally constructed and change over time. These differences are reflected in roles, responsibilities, access to resources, constraints, opportunities, needs, perceptions, views, etc. held by both women and men, and their interdependence relationships.

It is a fact that the distribution of development in the District is highly skewed in terms gender relations, on top of the overall poor development ranking in Uganda. For instance, in terms of Human Development Performance Nebbi District is occupying an unenviable ranking of 49th out of 56, with Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.399 (HDI Ranking by Districts, 2004 in UNDP‟s Uganda Human Development Report, 2005) The same report, in looking at Human Poverty indices by districts, ranks Nebbi District as the 6th poorest district in Uganda, out of 56, then with human poverty index of 43.4.

The women constitute 52% of the district population, yet their access to productive resources is quite limited. Very few of the women own land, which is the principle means to survival. They lack capital, access to financial services in the form of banking services. Lack of control over land and other productive activities makes women more vulnerable. It is also observed that 41% of women are exposed to domestic violence and 52.3% between 15-49 years are illiterate according to the UNDP, Uganda Human Development Report, (1998).

From the gender mainstreaming and mentoring activities conducted during the last financial year, as well as the training and field reports, below is an attempt to bring together the gender concerns and/ or issues, their possible causes and impacts as well as the plans/strategies that are in place to overcome the situations.

Gender Distribution in Nebbi District Civil Service The distributions depict the level of gender relations, participation and placement in the district functional structures by sector.

Sector: Natural Resources S/N Category Male Female Total % Female 01 Strategic level staff 2 1 3 50% 02 Middle level staff 5 0 5 0% 03 Operative/Support level 1 1 2 100% 04 Sector council committees 3 4 7 57.1%

Sector: Community Services S/N Category Male Female Total % Female 01 Strategic level staff 1 0 1 0% 02 Middle level staff 6 1 7 16.7% 03 Operative/Support level 3 3 0 100% 04 Sector council committees 4 2 6 33.3% 05 Functional sector groups/clubs and - - - - associations

19

Sector: Education and Sports S/N Category Male Female Total % Female 1 Strategic level staff 08 00 08 0%

2 Middle level staff 02 02 04 50%

3 Operative/supportive level 05 00 05 0%

4 Sector management committees (a) Primary 07 02 09 22% (b) Secondary 09 02 13 15% 5 Sector Council Committee 01 04 05 80%

6 Functional sector 04 01 05 20% Groups/Clubs/Associations 7 Primary School Head teachers 198 22 220 10%

8 Primary School Teachers 1,739 450 2,189 20%

9 Primary School Enrolment 81,834 68,717 150,551 46%

10 Secondary School Enrolment 5,698 2,518 8,216 30%

11 Pupils with special educational 2,751 2,940 5,691 52% needs (Primary) 12 Orphans 8,679 8,648 17,327 50%

Sector: Health S/N Category Male Female Total % Female 01 Strategic Level Staff 2 0 2 0%

02 Middle Level Staff 22 3 25 12%

03 Operative/Support level 260 323 583 56%

04 Sector Management 300 99 399 Committees 05 Sector Council 4 1 5 25% Committees

06 Functional sector groups/Clubs & Associations

20 Sector: Finance S/N Category Male Female Total % Female 01 Strategic Level Staff 05 - 05 0%

02 Middle Level Staff 06 - 06 0%

03 Operative/Support 29 12 41 29% level 04 Sector Management - - - - Committees 05 Sector Council 03 03 06 50% Committees 06 Functional sector - - - - groups/Clubs and Associations

Sector: Water S/N Category Male Female Total % Female

01 Strategic Level Staff 1 0 1 0%

02 Middle Level Staff 1 0 1 0%

03 Operative/Support 1 0 0% level 04 Sector Management - Committees 05 Sector Council 3 3 6 50% Committees 06 Functional sector - groups/Clubs and Associations

Sector: Council S/N Category Male Female Total % Female

01 Strategic Level Staff 8 1 9 11% (DEC) 02 Middle Level Staff 1 - 1 0%

03 Operative/Support level 4 3 7 42%

04 Sector Management 4 1 5 20% Committees (Comm. C/persons) 05 Sector Council Committees 13 13 26 50%

06 Functional sector groups/Clubs - - - - and Associations

21 Summary of Gender Analysis Matrix

Gender Issue Possible Causes Likely Impacts Plans/Strategies 1.High illiteracy rates Little attention given to -Low participation by -Expand coverage among women Women/Girls‟ education women in and access to (56.2%) as opposed due to negative culture and developmental work Functional Adult to men (24.1%) in high household poverty. -Low labour literacy Nebbi productivity -Mobilize and -Exclusion from promote girls‟ school decision making attendance under -Limited participation UPE in political life and decision making 2.Limited numbers -Limited educational levels -Perpetually limited -Inquire into, and of women in paid of women access of women to address the causes employment; eg only -Lack of gender-aware financial and other of poor educational 19% of staff are policies and practices, eg resources pursuit by girls. women in the entire deliberate affirmative - Women‟ continuous -Commit more public service of Nebbi action disempowerment in resources to support district Local decision making girls‟ education Government -Gender inequality -Implement a and patriarchy likely deliberate policy to to persist in employ more of the households as well qualified girls in as public institutions public institutions

3.Limited -Poor mobilization of the -Women‟s needs -Improve mobilization involvement of women (according to an often left out of the strategies for women, women in the Action Research done by priorities, which are for planning meetings decentralized AFARD, June 2006) often set by men. -Design special bottom-up planning -Wrong time scheduling of -Maternal and Child modalities and process these meetings (in the illnesses and deaths programs for seeking afternoons, when women related to, for women‟s views for are engaged in marketing, instance incorporation into and/ or other home chores. Reproductive Health plans. -Village meetings, where continue to remain women could have high among Women participated, often do not and Children take place. 4. Limited ownership -Cultural practice, that -Women and -Mobilize and and control rights disenfranchises women, as Children continuing sensitize women and over property by they enter marriage to suffer deprivation men, as well as women in -Limited education and due to lack of control cultural institutions on households, and empowerment, among over resource the need for cultural also communities. women management reform -Limited gender decisions -Commit more public empowerment, to cause resources to support the necessary institutional girls‟ education changes at all levels 5.Huge burdens of -Culture, that assigns -Women and men -Mobilize all groups

22 household chores on household duties as experience untold and campaign for women and girls, as gender role for females drudgery, equitable sharing of a result of low significantly burdens and involvement of men discounting on their responsibilities and boys in welfare -Organize incentives, domestic work -Women and girls left especially for the with little time to males to engage in engage in other household chores, to activities that are relieve the females important for their welfare -Girls deprived of time to engage in their study activities, as opposed to the boys 6.Poor School -Lack of role models to -Low socio-Economic -Inquire into, and attendance/high motivate the girls status of girls and address the causes school drop-out -A traditional practice ad women of poor school rates among girls precedence of girls -Limited Gender attendance by Girls marrying off at Empowerment -Sensitize LCs to adolescence -Persistent Gender increase vigilance in inequity in Societal implementing roles and defilement and early responsibilities marriage laws -Mobilize women Role Model activities to motivate girls

7.Limited access of -Unfair cultural norms, that -Specific concerns of -Mobilize and women to, especially relegate women to women are often left sensitize high leadership „subject‟ status at all levels out in decisions that communities and positions of society have implication for households to -Limited formal education allocation and use of educate girls beyond of women public resources primary levels -Continuous -Sensitize marginalization of Communities and women cultural institutions to deconstruct unfair cultural norms and practices 8.Limited rights and -Traditionally, after men -High Maternal and -Work with NGOs roles of women in have paid bride wealth in Child Mortality rates engaged in women- making family marriage, producing among women and related activities to planning and other children become a key children due to, too intensify Mobilization

23 reproductive health „accountability‟ aspect, early, too many, too and sensitization on decisions which only the man has a frequent and too late matters of women‟s say on. births rights -Culturally women tend to -Poor health and -Intensify use of be valued according to the welfare of welfare of Health Units and number of children they women due to over Outreaches for produce. engagement in child sensitization on bearing and child Reproductive Health care -Step up Mobilization of Male participation in Reproductive Health Activities 9.Low participation -This is culturally viewed -It increases work -Intensify already on- of men in processing as women‟s role, yet burden of women, going sensitization of and Marketing of ownership and control of hence reducing on men and women, to Agricultural products the Returns is often the their welfare share both this role, man‟s domain. -Women are further and right of disempowered ownership. 10.High rates of -Effect of cultural practices -Girls and women -Intensify abuse of girls‟ and that tend to demean often de-humanized sensitization women‟s rights women -High infection rates -Strengthen through defilement -Limited knowledge and of STDs among enforcement of and rape enforcement of relevant women relevant laws. respectively laws on defilement and rape.

Household and Family Issues

The need to provide for their households has increased the responsibilities and roles of women as producers, mothers, household managers and community organizers. Women have to work harder to provide better education and nutrition for their children as they head a big number of households. In the process of carrying out these duties, women have been marginalized in the access to resource sand opportunities. In Nebbi, gender inequalities do exist. Household poverty cannot reduce when conflicts are the order of the day. The change in roles within a home should gradually be accepted given the changing circumstances and men need to be sensitized on this matter. NGOs, women councils, and other local leaders should play an active role in fostering good relations between men and women.

Economic issues

In Nebbi, some few women work outside their homes to assist in supporting the household, however many more stay in the rural areas, growing food for the family. Even where they may be producing for the market, women may lack control over the proceeds. This has encouraged women to participate in group activities in order to mobilize savings to support their households. However, some women are barred from associating which denies them opportunities of sharing their problems and identifying means of overcoming them. Such women may not even attend development planning meeting in the communities.

24

Decision making issues

The Local government policy to have women councilors and women representatives on every community committee has greatly improved the position of women in decision making. The participation of women is still low compared to men especially in high-level decision-making.

Education issues

There is a lot gender disparity in the Education sector. Male children have greater opportunities than girls in accessing education. Although the Government Policy of UPE scrapped expenditure on Primary education, the girls still register the highest drop out rate. Some parents are reluctant to send their girls to school partly because of the long distances to schools. There are few secondary schools in rural areas and as a result the priority has mainly been given to boys to attend school. The low literacy level among women coupled with social cultural ties has suppressed the role of women in the process of attaining sustainable development.

Health issues

In their reproductive function, women are exposed to enormous health risks compounded by pregnancy. Women are vulnerable to infections and exacerbate problems during childbirth because of poor nutrition and anemia during pregnancies Domestic violence is still on the increase with women being the major victims. Major causes include poverty and unemployment of husbands resulting into frustration; lack of development activities to occupy both men and women meaningfully while educating them; marital misunderstandings and jealousy.

25

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 THE STATEOF ENVIRONMENT

2.1 The Environmental/Natural Resources, Existing Opportunities in Nebbi District

Fresh Water Resources Nebbi District is endowed with the River Nile, Lake Albert, which are a habitat to a variety of fish species. The common species include; Lattes Niloticus (Nile perch), Oreochromis Niloticus (Tilapia). These water resources have opportunities for investments in industrial and commercial fishing like modern landing sites with accessories and fish processing plants. Other water sources include rivers like Nyagak, Ora, Nyarwodho, Nyacara, Nyibola, streams, and springs that is mainly found in Okoro County.

Safe Water Coverage Nebbi District safe water coverage is 64.5%. This covers both rural water supply and Urban piped water supply which covers two towns of Pakwach and Nebbi out of three. Paidha own council is still in National plan for the next financial year. The District has latrine coverage of 78%. The solar potential that is has can generate power to pump water, thus reducing the burden of pumping manually, especially for boreholes and shallow wells.

Agriculture Additionally, the current livestock potentials and environmental conditions such as favourable climate and grassland vegetation would provide investment grounds for ranching, dairy farming, apiary, and poultry farming.

The district also has potentials for irrigation, hydro and solar power generation. Rivers like Ora, Nyagak and Namrwodho can be used for establishment of irrigation scheme and development of hydro electricity power.

It‟s important to note that Nebbi District has moderately suitable climate and fertile soils which enhances agricultural production. The district has the potentials for commercial agriculture with focus on the following crops: Coffee Tea Cotton Rice Tubers (Cassava, Irish & Sweet potatoes) Cereals (Sorghum, Millet, Maize, Rice) Oils seeds (Simsim, Sunflower, Soya beans, Cheer butter & Cashew nuts) Vegetables (Okra, Tomatoes, Cabbages, Onions, Green grains) Fruits (Pineapples, Citrus, Mangoes) Spices (Vanilla and Chillies) Thus increase in household income, sustainable food security and source of employment for the local population. These potentials are highly attributed to the

26 environmental/natural resources distribution in the district. Notably about 90% of the population depends on agriculture.

Minerals The district has mineral potentials like petroleum within the Nile and Lake Albert basins. The oil and gas exploration and production is an important industry that will boost the economy of the District and Uganda as a whole. However, there is need to ensure mitigation measures are implemented and Emergency plan in place to rectify or cleanup any emergency such as leakages, flaring, etc that can affect the both the local community and the down stream International Communities of Sudan and Congo. Other minerals include diatomite and other geological resources such as clay, sand and rocks used in construction industry.

Forest Resources /Tree Species Diversity There are other natural resources like forests both natural ones and artificial plantations which boost the local economy. The total gazetted forest area in the district is 8125 ha of which 7987 ha are Central Forest Reserves controlled and managed by the National Forestry Authority. Only 138 ha are Local Forest Reserves managed by the District Forestry Services. These include; Acwera in Kucwiny sub-county, Erussi in Erussi sub-county, Kango in Kango sub- county, Nyagak in Nyapea sub-county, Nyapea in Nyapea sub-county, Pakwach in Pakwach sub-county, and Ragem in Wadelai sub-county. These are on Plantation Development Plan. There are small community forests under sub-county management such as Atyak in Atyak sub-county and Muraro in Paidha sub-county.

The Central Forestry Reserves include; Lendu plantation in Zeu sub-county, Awang plantation in Kango sub-county, Osi plantation in Atyak sub-county, Kayonga plantation in Panyimur sub-county, East Uru woodlands in Atyak sub-county, West Uru woodlands in Atyak sub-county, Alwi woodlands in Panyango sub-county, Opio woodlands in Panyango sub-county, Oming woodlands in Panyango sub-county, Omier woodlands in Nebbi/Paidha sub-counties, Wadelai woodlands in Wadelai sub-county, Abiba woodlands in Nebbi sub-county.

The common tree species in the District are presented in the table below. However, due to opening of land for subsistence agriculture and increase in demands for timber, fuel wood for cooking and brick baking, the once abundant species like moreceae, meliaceae and sapotaceae have become scarce.

The Table: Examples Of Tree Species Found Either In Plantation Forest, Natural Forests and Woodlands.

Local name Common name Botanical name Oduk Combretum molle Combretaceae Cwaa Tamarindus indica Caesalpiniaceae Bey Afzelia Africana Caesalpiniaceae ( Paludia Africana ) Ogal Piliostigima thoningii Mimoceae Okudhu utiep Acacia seyal Mimoceae Okudhu Acacia sieberina Moraceae oryang

27 Olam Fiscus sycomorus Meliaceae Tido Khaya senegalensis Meliaceae Kaya grandifoliola. Tugo Borassus aethiopum Palmae Yago Kigelia Africana (k.aethiopum Bignoniaceae k. pinnata) Kalafurru Eucalyptus grandisi and Myrtaceae globules Okworo Fiscus glumosa Meliaceae Thangu Moringa oleifera Moringaceae Yao Butyrospermum paradoxum Sapotaceae (subsp.niloticum) Ofudhu Pseudocedrel a kotsychyi Meliaceae Source: A.B Ketende et al, Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda, (Pp 20-24)

Wetlands Nebbi district is also well endowed with Wetlands as a natural resource. They are found in the following areas; Along Namrwodho in Erussi/Nebbi S/Cs, Nyagak in Jang- okoro/Nyapea, Ora in Zeu/Wadelai, Agulu and Amuda in Zeu, Adida in Jang-okoro/Zeu, L. Albert Drainage Basin in Panyimur, Nile Basin from Panyimur via Pakwach to Wadelai, (Ayila, Wang- nyang, Owere, Oseke, Lobodegi, Dei, Kayonga, Wangkado, Kopio, e.t.c). These wetlands provide both direct and indirect benefits to the communities. The direct benefits include; the policy that 25% can be used for activities like crop production, papyrus, reeds, herbs, foods and fruits harvest, these are either consumed immediately or sold to earn some money, thus improving the livelihood of the people living along the wetland areas. The indirect benefits include; climate modification due to its functions of ground water recharge and surface water retention, flood control that reduce spread of water born diseases, landscape and aesthetic values that attract the tourism industry.

Part of Anuda Wetland in Zeu Sub-county Part of Nyagak Wetland in Jang-Okoro Sub-county

28 Table: List of Wetlands, River Banks and Lake Showers in Nebbi District Name of Wetland wetland system LOCATION Wetland Species Status Village Parish Sub-County flora/fauna Agulu Nyagak Agulu Ayaka Zeu Papyrus, sedges, Still intact. shrubs, palm

Amuda Nyagak Awobiya Jupamatho Zeu Papyrus swamp, It is still reeds, sedges, Intact, (not enc- shrubs, palm roached).

Adida Nyagak Yima Jang Okoro Papyrus swamp Acceptable level of encroachment (about 20% which is with in the 25% accepted by the wetlands Palm, shrubs, regulations) Wetlands Management Zeu sedges, Committee established in 2008

Artificial drainage and cultivation Nyagak Nyagak Manzi Jang-okoro Papyrus swamp, has increased. Wetlands Management Committee Palm, shrubs, established in 2008 Sedges,

High level of encroachment for Leda Leda valley Juba Jupadindo Jang-okoro Modified reeds cultivation

Excavation of sand & clay, brick Namrwodho making, bush burning and river Namrwodho Agwechi Erussi S/C, Reeds-swampy Cultivation is high. However, the catchment area at Kubbi (Agwechi) is being restored by demarcation of no-encroachment Nebbi T.C shrubs, tido, zone using trees of various species.

29 Ecosystem Management Committee established in 2003 Nebbi S/C monkeys birds, 'ruda' Ora Ora Ora Pakwinyo Wadelai Swampy papyrus Introduction of exotic species shrubs,reeds, eucalyptus trees; bush burning & land clearance for cultivation is wild pigs,Igret, high. Ecosystem Management Committee Hippos,Vultures already established in 2008. Kalabash monkey Baboons

Oluthuru/ Pumit R.Nile Pajago Mutir Wadelai Papyrus swamp Exotic species exist(bananas); Accacia,shrub, burning of river bank by fishermen. Sedges;Python, Monkey family, crocodile,hippos sitatunga

Oseke R.Nile Pokwero E Pokwero Panyango Swampy papyrus Burning, exotic species(bananas), shrubs,'osi', low level of encroachment. Crocodile,monkey alegator

Bush burning and cultivation the Lobodegi R.Nile Rimbu Pokwero Panyango Papyrus swamp level of encroachment is low Accacia, shrub, Reeds, Igret

Bush burning, cu;ltivation and Kopio R.Nile Puyoo C Amor Pakwach TC Papyrus swamp settlement

30 water hycinth, High level of encroachment. Crested crane, Igret

Wang-nyang R.Nile Pawobo Paroketo Pakwach SC Papyrus swamp Highly encroached by cattle grazers. Sedges, reeds shrub; Crocodile, Hippos .

Olweju R.Nile Jupajamba Paroketo Pakwach SC Papyrus swamp Highly encroached by cattle grazers. shrub, sedges; Hippos, Igret, dragon flies, mud fish

Kangala R.Nile Ayila Mukale Pakwach SC Papyrus swamp Highly encroached by cattle grazers. shrubs, birds

Moderately encroached by cattle grazers, and a few farmers for Kalolo R.Nile Kuba Mukale Pakwach SC Papyrus swamp cultivation shrubs,reeds; crocodiles,fish alegators,pythons sitatunga, birds

Encroached highly with cultivation Juba L.Albert Dei C Panyimur Papyrus swamp grazing activities and Settlement. (Dei trading centre is established with in 50 meters contrary to the Sedges, Lake shores regulations). Crocodiles, 'ruda'

31

Highly encroached for settlement, Songager L.Albert Kayonga Nyakagei Panyimur Swampy and crop cultivation water hycinth, . Papyrus, shrub; wild pigs,hippos, crocodiles,igret

Adundu/ Highly encroached for settlement, Awolo L.Albert Angumu Nyakagei Panyimur Papyrus swamp grazing and crop cultivation Sedges,shrubs; Hippos, fish, crocodiles

Wangkado/ Highly encroached for settlement, Akol L.Albert WangkadoE Boro Panyimur Papyrus swamp and crop cultivation

Highly encroached for settlement, Mututu L.Albert Boro C Boro Panyimur Papyrus swamp and crop cultivation shrubs,sedges water hycinth; Murabo stock, Igret, snails, fish Birds

Highly encroached for settlement, Nyibola Nyibola Jupaliti Dwonga Paidha T.C Swampy and crop cultivation reeds,sedges trees; Frog,snails, Birds

32 Eco-Tourism Nebbi district has close proximity to Murchison Falls Conservation Area. With the Culture of the people coupled with their hospitality towards visitors make it distinguished and attractive for tourists‟ destination.

The other tourist potentials include cultural and historical sites like Wang-lei in Pakwach (Where the great Alur ancestors Nyipir and Nyabongo separated), Fort Emin Pasha in Wadelai sub-county and Amuru Pii (Hot spring) in Panyimur sub-county.

Table: Summary of Investment opportunities in Nebbi District

Sn (Sub)Sector Opportunities Location 1 Fisheries Establishment of cold storage facilities Wadelai, Panyimur, Fish processing plants Panyango, Pakwach S/C Fish smoking for local and export and Town Council market Refrigerated trucks Aquaculture: fish and crocodile farming 2 Livestock Ranching (cattle, goats, sheep) Jonam and Padyere Poultry farming counties. Hides, skins and leather processing/tannery Processing of animal feeds Modern abattoirs Small scale milk collection and processing Bee-keeping and honey products 3 Mining White diatomite and kaolin deposits Jonam and Padyere Sands and rocks for construction counties industry In all the three counties Clay deposits for constructions and ceramics 4 Energy Petroleum deposits Lake Albert/the Nile basin Rivers Nyagak and Namrwodho rapids Padyere and Okoro for hydro electricity power generation counties Biogas and solar energy potentials All over the district

5 Tourism Murchison Falls Conservation Area and Jonam and Padyere the adjacent tourist attractions. counties Eco-tourism Hotel establishment, tour and travel business and other auxiliary services Cultural and historical sites like Fort Emin Pasha, Wang-Lei and Amuro pii The Nile and Lake Albert Water sports 6 Education Establish of infantry schools Mainly in the towns of Establishment of specialized Paidha, Nebbi and professional/vocational institutions Pakwach.

33 7 Health Provision of health and facilities In the above towns services by the private sector 8 Transport Water transport The Nile and Lake Albert Road/surface transport facilities Karuma-Arua Road Air transport Koch Airfield Private Existence of forest resources and All over the district 9 sector investments in wood industry Investments in fish processing Jonam county Investments in agro-processing All over the district Investments in apiary All over the district Investments in crocodile and fish Mainly Jonam County for farming crocodile farming 10 Agriculture Agro-processing industries like All over the district vegetable oil refineries, fruit processing and fiber processing Produce buying and storage facilities Investments in market facilities and Padyere and Jonam structures counties Investments in horticulture, commercial/large scale agriculture

Source: Nebbi District Investment Profile 2006

34 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 The Existing Environmental Problems and Management Challenges in Nebbi District The communities of all the sub-counties and town councils are actively involved in identifying the environmental problems that affect their livelihoods or those likely to affect the development process. The priority issues identified are integrated into the Parish Environment Action Plans (PEAPs), the Sub-county Environment Action Plans (SEAPs) and the District Environment Action Plan (DEAP).

3.1 The Key Environmental Problems in Nebbi District

Soil Degradation Soil degradation is evident through soil erosion. There are many other ways through which soil has been degraded in the district. The most profound ones being, poor farming practices especially in the hilly areas, un regulated civil works, un controlled tree cutting or deforestation, un controlled bush burning, poor methods of waste disposal, and over stocking within the grazing areas/rangelands. Soil degradation has resulted into loss of soil fertility in the District, hence low agricultural productivity and low household income. Soil degradation and reduced productivity therefore have direct impacts on the livelihood of the farming community in the District.

Bear Aminzi Hill in Erussi Sub-county Degraded soil in Alwi Parsih-Panyango

Uncontrolled Tree Cutting/Deforestation A lot of trees and other woody vegetation cover have been depleted in Nebbi District through environmental malpractices such as charcoal and brick burning, bush burning, cultivation, lumbering and excessive tree cutting. Environmental degradation is now evident in many parts of the district especially forest area within the public land. Besides all the 14 local forest reserves are affected by over cutting and dry season bush fires.

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Nyagak Local Forest Reserve that has Depleted Ossi Central Forest Reserve been depleted due to uncontrolled tree due to over harvesting Cutting/over harvesting

Wetlands/River Bank Encroachment and Degradation Wetlands encroachment is one of the priority environmental problems identified in the District. Most wetlands in Nebbi District have been degraded due to human activities such as waste disposal into the wetlands; this is mainly a scenario in the urban centers. People have gone as far as reclaiming the wetlands in to farm lands; making brick and settling along river banks.

Encroached on Bank of the River Nile for An intact part of the Bank of River Cultivation in Wadelai Sub-county Nile in Wadelai Sub-county

As a result of encroachment on the Banks of River Ora and the Nile through human activities such as cultivation, brick making and settlement in Wadelai Sub-county, there have been annual floods for the last 3 years.

The community in Wadelai who live along Ora River and River Nile waiting to receive assistance from the District and Prime Minister‟s Office -2007

36 Uncontrolled Bush Burning This is a common practice during dry season. Bush burning has led to environmental problems such as destruction of vegetation, change in climate (global warming), and low agricultural productivity due to soil fertility loss hence low household income and food insecurity in the communities. This has led to people resorting to encroachment on the wetlands in order to acquire fertile land for crop production and other wetland resources such as reeds for construction and commercial purpose, papyrus to raise income, vegetables for food, fruits and herbal medicines.

The photograph below shows the effect of bush burning on vegetation and the soil.

Effect of bush burning on soil and vegetation in Alwi Parish Nebbi District

Poor Solid Waste Management The problem of poor solid waste management has affected mostly the urban centers; there are almost no collection facilities such as skips in some urban centers. The three town councils namely, Nebbi, Paidha and Pakwach have dump sites for disposal of wastes. However, they still lack the necessary equipments for collection and compaction of the wastes. Such a situation has left the urban centers with problem of Poor Solid Waste Management.

The Photograph below shows how peoples‟ attitude contributes a lot towards Environmental Management in the District and Uganda as a whole. Despite the existence of Waste bins, people still dump wastes on the ground other than the facilities provided for them by the Urban Council.

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Poor Solid Waste Management & Community Nebbi Town Council, unsorted Attitude in Pakwach Town Council waste difficult to reuse

Over Fishing The District is endowed with the River Nile and Lake Albert, which are a habitat to a variety of fish species. However, this resource is depleted because the fishing communities highly depend on the fish resource as a source of their livelihood, and use of illegal and crude fishing gears. Additionally, the lake shores and river banks are encroached on by the communities for settlement and cultivation in some areas, therefore deteriorating the breeding ground for the fish to regenerate.

Lake Albert shores with poor fishing gears and degraded sports

38 3.2 The Management/Institutional Challenges

The management/institutional challenges faced by Nebbi District Local Government in addressing the aforementioned environmental problems are presented below;

 The attitude of the Community towards good Environment Management practices is still poor.  Limited public awareness on the existing environmental policies, laws and regulations and weak enforcement of the existing legal framework.  Limited funds and dependence on other partners; Donors and Central Government to handle environmental management activities.  Local Environment Committees at Lower Local Government Level exists but their functionality is still a problem.  Limited number of technical staff/extension workers to facilitate Decentralized Environment Management in Lower Local Governments.

39 The proposed strategies in the District Environment Action Plan (DEAP)

DEAP Land use District Future Strategies Actions to be Resources/ Services Stakehold PIPs visions changes (to attain taken (to services / er (objective the achieve needed (to do partners response s) needed changes) strategies) the actions) availabl to 6 - 10 to realise e (to do the vision the actions) Uncontroll Cultivation/graz A clean, Increase Enactment Enforcement of Funds and District District ed bush ing healthy, in of a the law DTPC/DEC Council council burning productive vegetation District DEC and ordinance Radio programs Funds and Radio economica Favourabl Radio Paidha Sector lly e climate massive Tree planting in presenters FM heads sustainabl awareness urban centres e Increase program Seeds/seedling Private environme in s Extensio sector nt. biodiversit Training and n y sensitization services Civil society Capacity Funds and organisatio building of trainers CSOs ns the stakeholde rs Uncontroll Agriculture and Sufficient Increase Restoratio Tree nursery ed Tree charcoal sustainabl in n activities establishment Extensio cutting burning e vegetation n District managed Promotion Est. community Land use services, Council, forest Favourabl of A.F conservation planning/policy LC3 resources e climate pilot projects councils, in the Promote private

41 District by Increase other IGAs Training on sector and 2015 in nursery mgt CSOs biodiversit technology Trainers and Ext y funding services District and CSOs Poor Urban A clean Reduced Privatize Improve on Funds, waste Means of District waste development and nuisance waste mgt physical collection and transport andUrban managem healthy by kavera in urban planning, storage from the Authorities, ent environme centres privatisation of facilities like urban Private nt A clean Waste wastes land fills, trucks authoritie sector and and separation Improve management, s, land CSOs healthy capacity of promotion of environme Increase urban recycling, re- nt latrine centres in use and coverage waste mgt. reduction of from 47% wastes to 56% Reclamati Agriculture A well Reduced Public Sensitisation of Planning, Extensio District, on of managed wetlands education stakeholders, funds, IEC n LC3 wetlands wetland degradati and formulation of materials services councils systems on and wetlands byelaws/ordinan and CSOs for improved managem ce, formulation monitoring and economic biodiversit ent of wetlands inspections sustainabil y and planning at management ity sustained all levels plans local economy Over Fishing A district in Sustained Promotion Social IEC materials, Policy on District, fishing which fish of marketing to forum of fish fishing, LC3 sustainabl species sustainabl promote the traders, patrol by councils, e fisheries and e fishing standard fishing monitoring and fisheries CSOs and resource increased practices gears and inspections dpt, Private

42 exploitatio catches acceptable public sector n for practices within educatio improved the fishing n livelihood communities/fol k Soil Agriculture A district in Controlled Promotion Contour Extension Extensio District, erosion which soil of better cultivation, services n LC3s sustainabl erosion farming agro-forestry, services CSOs e soil and and practices re-aforestation Byelaws/ordina water improved which and public nce conservati soil enhance education on productivit soil and practices y water are in conservati place on Source: DEAP- Nebbi District 2005

43 ENVIRONMENTAL MAINSTREAMING ANALYSIS MATRIX-2008

SECTOR ISSUE CAUSE IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURE Works and Displacement of -Opening/ - Lack of -Compensation and Technical people grading of roads. accommodation relocation of the Services - Construction of for the displaced. displaced people. office block - Social conflicts and/or classroom as a result of loss block in of land. institutions. “ Loss of - Clearance of -Loss of - Planting grass vegetation land for road vegetation cover along road cover opening. and topsoil for reserves and -Excavation of agricultural paspalum grass on building production. the compounds of foundation. - Displacement of the institutions. people and lack of - Compensation of land for the displaced. resettlement. -Community sensitization on environmental conservation measures. - Back filling. “ Water logging Construction -Disease out -Back filling work. break. E.g. - Construction of malaria as they proper drainage provide breeding -Sensitization of place for constructors and mosquitoes. the community on the dangers of water logging. “ Deforestation - Tree cutting for -Shortage and -Re-a forestation construction lack of trees in the (Planting trees to works and wood long run for replace the loss). fuel. construction and fuel. “ Pollution due to -Making of - Attack by air -Wearing protective saw dust furniture and born diseases. gadgets by cutting timber for constructors / roofing. carpenters. -Proper waste disposal by turning waste in to manure.

44 Education and In adequate -Shortage of - Contraction of - Construction of Sports sanitary funds and diseases related more latrine facilities in inadequate to poor sanitary stances and schools release of funds. conditions. washroom for Girls -Increasing - Girl child un in schools. population of environmentally - Lobby for more pupils and friendly condition. funds. students caused (Poor by the UPE environmental Programme. sanitation).

Deforestation Utilization of Destruction of and soil erosion wood reourcs for school facilities by Institutional tree around schools school desks and wind and rain planting and proper site clearance for storms school compound class room design construction Change in micro- climatic conditions around schools

Community Low under - In adequate -Out break of - Raise awareness Services standing of the knowledge about sanitary related on construction of communities on benefits of diseases such as sanitary facilities construction of sanitary facilities cholera, typhoid, such as latrine and sanitary such as latrines, dysentery, etc. bathroom and facilities and washrooms, etc. usage. usage. “ Low adoption of -Negative -Environmental -Train communities energy saving attitudes degradation e.g. on importance of techniques. -Low level of depletion of trees fuel saving stoves literacy - Wastage of time -Community -Poor cultural for other sensitization on the attitudes and economically impact of beliefs. viable activities environmental degradation on man and his surrounding. “ Bush burning - For easy - Soil degradation -Establish and access to the -Destruction of strengthen trees for firewood vegetation cover environment and wild animals. - Air pollution. committees - Passing by laws against bush burning. “ Settlement -Fertile soils -Destruction of -Enactment and along fragile which allow fragile ecosystem passing of ecosystems. perennial crop -Out break of ordinances and

45 growing diseases byelaws to protect - Shortage of - Disasters like fragile ecosystems land due to floods especially -Community increasing along the sensitization on population wetlands. dangers of settling growth. along ecosystems.

Production Decline in soil -Poor farming - Low agricultural - Train farmers in fertility methods leading production organic farming to soil erosion. - Poverty and Agro-forestry. “ Use of under - Poverty - Depletion of fish -Train fisher size fishing resources communities on gears. good fishing practices -Pass and strengthen existing byelaws on the use of right fishing gears.

Source: DEAP- Nebbi District 2005

3.3 Strategies in Place and Achievements made Nebbi District Local Government has so far made the following strategic achievements:  Mainstreaming of Environmental Issues in to the District and Sub-county Development Plans and it produces District State of Environment Report.  Environmental Education and Awareness through radio programs, sensitization meetings and trainings, establishment of the District Environmental Information Centre and Celebration of National and International days such as World Environment Day.

The RDC Nebbi on the Left giving a speech and Representative from Ministry of Water and Environment planting tree seedling on WED 2006 at Pakwach SS

46  Establishment of Ecosystem Management Committees for the vital rivers especially those that feeds in to the Nile and with Development projects such as Nyagak, Namrwodho, and Ora Rivers. Namrwodho River supplies Nebbi Town Council with piped water; Nyagak River is where the Hydro Electricity Power dam is being constructed to supply power to West Nile Sub-region; the River Nile supplies Pakwach Town Council with piped water.  Demarcation of no encroachment zone through tree planting for river banks of Namrwodho and Nyagak fnded by Nebbi District Local Government, NEMA and NBI.  Rehabilitation of Namrwodho Community Forest through tree planting and Nursery establishment in Namrwodho managed by Kubi Community Environmental Care Project which is a working group for the Project and other community working groups (civil society organizations) which are restoring other rivers and Hills from degradation.

Nursery established for River Nyagak Kubbi Community Nursery for River Namrwodho Area 2007 funded by NBI Restoration Project funded by NEMA and NBI

 Established community woodlots for environmental protection and are managed by groups such as Alwi Women Group.  Establishment of woodlots in institutions like primary and Secondary Schools.  All Boarding Secondary Schools benefited from Twin Energy Saving Cook-stoves and wood lots funded by Nebbi District Local Government under Equalization Grant.

Lorena Energy Saving Stove in Rocket Energy Saving Stove Parombo Secondary School in Angal Secondary School

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Woodlot of Neem tree in Parombo Part of the woodlot in Erussi Secondary Secondary School (shed and wind breaks) school, surrounding the premises

 Demonstration of Energy Saving Cook-stoves at households for replication in the 16 Sub-counties.

 Four Micro- projects undertaking river bank restoration by demarcation of No- encroachment Zone through tree planting and Agro-forestry in fragile areas such as river banks and hilly areas. These include Namrwodho River Bank Restoration Project, Maber Group Farm, Community Growth Establishment Agro forestry, and ARUDA funded by NEMA, NBI and Nebbi District Local Government.

Maber Group Farm on Ajere Hill, Nyapea Part of 40 Ha Namrwodho River Sub-country as at February 2009 Bank Restoration Project

 Solid Waste Management initiatives by the town councils such as gazettement of landfills/dump sites, and provision of garbage skips and bins.  The District is already formulating an ordinance on production, Environment and Natural Resources Issues. The document is in the process of drafting.  The District has Functional District Environment Committee.  Compliance monitoring and inspection of development projects, the fragile ecosystems, and micro-projects.  The District has Established District Environment NGO Forum which is functional.

48 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Future Scenarios in Five to seven Years

 All the Local Forest reserves rehabilitated, trees planted in schools and other institutions and increased use of energy saving cooking technologies, thus increased vegetation cover; increased and improved environmental conservation initiatives in Local Governments, other institutions and community.  If enforcement is not taken seriously, then environmental policies will not be implemented. However if it is strengthened, there will be reduced rate of environmental crimes. Thus improved state of our wetlands, river banks and lake shores, waste management, soil management, water resources management, hence a clean, healthy and productive environment for improved community livelihoods and sustainable development.  A more informed and proactive community on Environmental Issues.

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CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Recommendation

The following Strategies are recommended to address the existing Environmental Problems.  Continuous public Awareness and Education on Environmental Management Issues.  Increased funding to the Environment sector especially for public awareness and education, inspection and enforcement of Environmental laws.  Environment Inspectors and Enforcers need to be well equipped to handle environmental crimes.  Effective Stakeholder involvement. All stakeholders should be involved at various levels (Central Government, Lower Local Government and Community, civil society, private sector and donors) in planning and management of the environment.  Performance of Local Environment Committees at Sub-county, parish and village levels should be enhanced by building their capacity and backup support.  Re-structuring Local Governments to establish positions for Environmental Extension Workers in Lower Local Governments to enhance performance in the Environment Sector.

CONCLUSION The Nebbi District Local Government is looking forward to improving the Environmental Situation; however there is still a lot to be done. Unless the strategies to address the Environmental Problems are taken into consideration and implemented there will be no much difference in the State of Environment in Nebbi District and Uganda as a whole in five to seven years to come.

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