Planning for integrated lake management in Uganda: Lessons for sustainable and effective planning processes

Abstract

The international consensus on the need for integrated approaches for managing water resources has led to a plethora of integrated frameworks and strategies. The development of management plans for lakes and their drainage basins is part of the 'integrated management' agenda. Challenging questions, however, arise in regard to what integration actually means within the context of planning processes and systems, and for the management plans themselves. The limited literature on lake management planning emphasizes the need for a lead agency for planning and implementation. A relevant question is how does lake management planning relate to planning by local governments, national government departments and other stakeholder groups. The integrated lake management efforts in Uganda have led to the development of lake management plans that build on, and complement, existing local government processes and plans. Lessons from early lake management experiences indicate that establishing clear linkages in the planning processes, and within the plans themselves between lake management structures and local government, is essential for sustainability, coordination and resource mobilization. The development of lake management plans also strengthens existing local government planning systems, by providing a forum for sharing information, ideas and lessons. The lake management planning also supports the introduction of local governments to participatory, community-based planning, as well as promoting intersectoral coordination. Key wordsintegrated lake management, Lake Management Organizations, lake management planning, Uganda.

Bathymetric study of Lake Hayq, Ethiopia

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A case for gender equity in governance of the Okavango Delta fisheries in Botswana

“…In Uganda, for instance, the Fish Rules (2003) legally empowered Beach Management Units to manage fish resources. The empowerment of hitherto marginalized fisher groups as a pre‐requisite to incorporation in new structures in Uganda was promoted by acknowledging diversity of interest and recognizing differences in power and influence between and within stakeholders (Nunan, 2006). The exclusion of basket fishers' interests and knowledge from the OFMC formulated Code of Conduct is likely to further entrench gendered inequalities in the Okavango Delta fishery.…”

Investing in multi-stakeholder dialogue to address natural resource competition and conflict

“…At the same time, decentralisation reforms can contribute to local dispute resolution while helping build institutional capacities and relationships for improved resource governance. To pursue such gains, practitioners and policymakers need to pay attention to power differences among actors; support mediation between stakeholders; transparently specify benefit and cost sharing between communities, the private sector and governments; safeguard against manipulation of community representative bodies by individuals or interest groups; and build measures for gender equity into resource management planning (Nunan 2006).…”