The Ministry of Water and Environment has called for a stronger commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, warning that environmental challenges are increasingly threatening Uganda’s development. The ministry says responsible environmental management, social accountability and good governance are essential for attracting investment, managing risks and building sustainable institutions.
The call comes ahead of the National ESG Expo scheduled for September 25, 2026, at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The expo, organised by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Envirosure Consulting, will bring together government, private sector and other stakeholders to share experiences and discuss challenges and solutions related to ESG.
Dr Callist Tindimugaya, the Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, who represented the Minister of Water and Environment, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, said the ministry was pleased that Uganda had embraced ESG principles. He said ESG had become an important pillar of sustainable economic transformation globally and was increasingly influencing how institutions attract investment, manage risks, measure their impact and create sustainable value.
Tindimugaya said development finance institutions were increasingly requiring organisations to demonstrate ESG performance before accessing capital, making responsible environmental and social practices important for competitiveness, resilience and institutional credibility. He said businesses were also increasingly being assessed on how they manage the environment, support communities and uphold ethical governance.
The Commissioner said the expo would also create awareness about ESG practices among private and social-sector organisations and provide an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to environmental and governance challenges. Tindimugaya also raised concern over changing weather patterns and their implications for Uganda’s development. He said resources that would otherwise be invested in national development were increasingly being diverted towards addressing environmental challenges.
He warned that expected El Niño rains could have serious consequences if they occur in areas where wetlands have been degraded, and drainage channels are blocked with garbage. Tindimugaya said the implications of changing weather patterns and the need for better environmental management would form part of the discussions at the expo.
He noted that the Constitution provides for the protection and preservation of the environment but said the existence of laws and policies alone was not sufficient without stronger implementation and action. The Commissioner also highlighted the government’s initiative encouraging citizens to participate in national cleaning activities on the last Saturday of every month, describing environmental protection as an important component of national development. The National ESG Expo will be held under the theme: “Driving Transformation through Environmental, Social and Governance: From Commitment to Action.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
