The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Uganda is hosting a team from NEMA Kenya for a two-day workshop on environmental licensing and management information systems (ELMIS).

The workshop, which ends today, June 18, 2025, aims to enhance regional cooperation and promote the use of digital technologies for improved governance.

Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of NEMA Uganda, shared that the visiting team consists of twelve senior officials who are eager to learn from Uganda’s successful implementation of the web-based ELMIS system.

“I received a delegation from NEMA Kenya today. They are here to learn from Uganda’s progress in automating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) processes. Since March 1, 2024, all ESIA processes in Uganda have successfully gone online,” said Akankwasah.

The partnership aims to promote information sharing, support sustainable development goals, and align policies and regulations across the region.

NEMA Uganda’s Public Relations Officer, Naome Karikaho, explained that the visit followed a formal request from NEMA Kenya, which is in the process of developing its own integrated environmental management system, similar to Uganda’s.

“Uganda is committed to fostering transparency and efficiency in environmental management. We are proud to support our sister agencies in East Africa in building strong, technology-driven environmental institutions,” said Karikaho.

Key areas of collaboration identified during the workshop include strengthening environmental governance, waste management initiatives, joint projects, capacity building, and promoting community engagement and public awareness.