BLUE | ECONOMY | STRATEGY

Uganda will in three days officially get a Blue Economy (BE) strategy if key stakeholders including officials from several government ministries departments and agencies agree on what to include and remove from a draft that has been developed by a consultant.

Convened by the water ministry, with support from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Kingdom of Sweden, a three-day workshop running from Monday, February 20, has been organised in Kampala for the validation and adoption of the national blue economy strategy for Uganda. 

The strategy, if approved, is expected to be in force up to 2027 when it is expected to come up for review. 

IGAD is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa. It includes governments from the Horn of Africa, Nile Valley and the African Great Lakes. It is headquartered in Djibouti City, Djibouti.

The countries are Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Eritrea. 

The workshop, which has been opened this morning by agriculture ministry acting commissioner fisheries resources management and development Henry Nabbongo, has brought together officials from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the ministries of foreign affairs, works, water, tourism and energy.

Albert Orijabo, the assistant commissioner water resources planning and regulation department in the directorate of water resources management at the water ministry remarks. (All Photos by Mary Kansiime)

What is BE

BE relates to the sustainable use, management and conservation of water resources. 

It also comprises all economic activities related to oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, wetlands and coasts, among others and prioritises all three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, economic and social. 

It covers a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors and the ocean/ water bodies economy as a growth opportunity for both developed and developing countries. 

It also includes economic benefits that may not be marketed, such as carbon storage, coastal, river/lake bank protection, cultural values and biodiversity.  

As part of efforts to ensure effective management of Uganda’s environment and natural resources, several policies and institutions have been put in place. 

However, despite these efforts Uganda’s natural resources continue to be degraded and this jeopardises both individual livelihoods and the country’s economic development. 

IGAD also says, due to lack of institutional capacity and given the sociocultural context, these BE resources generate less than 20% of this value for BE resources.

Therefore, in order to make the best use of the BE resources and services, according to a concept note released by the IGAD secretariat, Uganda has prepared a draft national BE strategy to set the stage for implementation. 

This strategy, if well-implemented, is expected to put Uganda among the top landlocked countries with a high BE-based economic development.