NEMA gets new director

By Gerald Tenywa THE Minister of Lands, Water and Environment, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, has appointed Dr. Henry Aryamanya Mugisha as executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).Aryamanya has been the deputy executive director since NEMA’s inception in 1996. He replaces Professor John Okedi.Okedi has retired and is operating a private environment consultancy.NEMA’s public relations officer Wilfred Baanabakintu said Aryamanya was recently signed a five-year renewable contract.“Following the recommendation of the board and the approval of the policy committee on the environment, Dr. Ruhakana has appointed Aryamanya as executive director,’’ he said in a statement.Aryamanya will be responsible for development strategies, implementation and monitoring.NEMA is a government agency mandated to coordinate and supervise management of the environment in the country. Aryamanya also in the early 1990s coordinated the launch of the National Environment Action Plan, which culminated into the National Environment Management Statute (1995) and NEMA.He is a board member to local and international bodies. “We have somebody who has a wealth of knowledge on environment and institutional issues,’’ Baanabakintu said.