By Sadique Bamwita
NATIONAL/KAMPALA
The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment has drafted a road map that will ease accession to the water convention.
This was revealed by Callist Tindimugaya, the commissioner water resources planning and regulation on Friday last week.
Dr. Tindimugya revealed that the first preparatory meeting to attaining the water convention was held in November 2019 but sadly progress was hampered by the outbreak of COVID-19 global pandemic.
He noted that so far internal preparatory meetings are ongoing and that government has received support from the convention secretariat
“The Ministry of Water and Environment has already set up a taskforce for accession and the first meeting is aimed at reviewing the convention. We have initiated consultations with stakeholders and the attorney general will review the consultations, “Dr. Tindimugaya disclosed.
Sonja Koeppel, the secretary of water convention, said that once Uganda finalizes accession on water convention it would enjoy good cooperation on ground water with its neighboring countries.
“The next step will be to implement the road map and the secretariat is committed to helping in accession. I implore other countries and stakeholders to facilitate the upcoming processes.” Sonja added.
Hillary Liiv, the chairperson Bureau of water convention disclosed that the convention will enable Uganda to get better management for water resources and will also promote bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries.
Alfred Okot Okidi, the permanent secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, said that the preparatory meetings are going on to help address the challenges ahead of the accession process and that once the convention is ratified Uganda will enjoy great benefits on various water sources and international lakes.
Apparently, Uganda is in pursuit of the 1992 Water Convention which was opened for accession by UN member states since March, 1st 2016 and if this goes on well, Uganda will be the first East African country to join the convention which comes with great benefits to enjoy water resources locally and internationally.
