NEMA flags off 55 officers under the Environment Protection Force

The  National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has flagged off the first cohort of 55 officers under the Environment Protection Force (EPF) for a four-month specialised training programme. The flag-off ceremony was presided over by the Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, at NEMA House in Kampala.

The officers have proceeded to the Police Training School in Kabalye, Masindi District, where they will undergo intensive training to strengthen their capacity to enforce environmental laws and effectively respond to environmental crimes in the country.

The programme will equip officers with practical skills in investigation, evidence handling, compliance monitoring, and community engagement, while emphasisinc discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights. Additional cohorts willbe trained in phases as part of a broader national strategy to strengthen environmenta governance and promote sustainable development.

EPF was officially launched on 5wh June, 2024, to address persistent gaps in environmental law enforcement amid rising challenges such as wetland degradation, deforestation, illegal resource extraction, and pollution.

As a specialised unit, the EPF supports NEMA in enforcing environmental laws anc safeguarding Uganda’s natural resources. This training marks a significant step toward building a professional, well-coordinated, and effective enforcement force.