SECURING UGANDA’S NATURAL RESOURCE BASE IN PROTECTED AREAS PROJECT Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) April 2021 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 17 1.1 Project Background ........................................................................................................ 17 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Location of the Project Area .......................................................................................... 17 2.2 Project components ....................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Project Beneficiaries....................................................................................................... 20 2.4 Project Development Objective ..................................................................................... 21 2.5 The Environmental and Social Management Framework - ESMF ................................. 21 2.5.1 Purpose of ESMF ..................................................................................................... 21 2.5.2 Purpose and scope of the ESMF ............................................................................. 22 2.5.3 Approach and Methodology in ESMF Preparation ................................................. 22 2.5.4 Literature Review .................................................................................................... 22 2.5.5 Stakeholder and Community Consultations ........................................................... 22 2.5.6 Screening................................................................................................................. 22 2.6 Baseline Environmental And Social Aspects .................................................................. 23 2.6.1 Baseline Environmental Information ...................................................................... 23 2.6.2 Biological Environment ........................................................................................... 26 2.7 Socio-economic Environment ........................................................................................ 28 2.7.1 Population trends ................................................................................................... 28 2.7.2 Education and literacy ............................................................................................ 31 2.7.3 Economic activities ................................................................................................. 32 2.7.4 Agriculture .............................................................................................................. 32 2.7.5 Farming systems ..................................................................................................... 33 2.7.6 Settlement Patterns ................................................................................................ 33 2.7.7 HIV/AIDs prevalence ............................................................................................... 33 2.7.8 Prevalence of child labour in Uganda ..................................................................... 34 2.7.9 Land Management .................................................................................................. 35 2.7.10 Land Holding and Tenure System ........................................................................... 35 2.7.11 Culture and religion ................................................................................................ 35 3 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................. 35 3.1 The Policy Framework .................................................................................................... 36 3.1.1 The National Environment Management Policy-NEMP, 1994 ............................... 36 3.1.2 Forest Policy, 2001 .................................................................................................. 36 3.1.3 National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetland Resources, 1995 36 2 3.1.4 The National HIV/AIDS Policy, 2004 ....................................................................... 36 3.1.5 The National Cultural Policy, 2006.......................................................................... 37 3.1.6 The Occupational Health and Safety Policy, 2006 .................................................. 37 3.1.7 The Uganda Gender Policy, 2007 ............................................................................ 37 3.1.8 The National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence (GBV)................................... 37 3.2 National Legal Framework ............................................................................................. 38 3.2.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 ................................................ 38 3.2.2 The National Environment Act, 2019...................................................................... 38 3.2.3 National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 ....................................................... 38 3.2.4 The Land Act, Cap 227 ............................................................................................ 39 3.2.5 The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006 ...................................................... 39 3.2.6 The Employment Act, 2006..................................................................................... 39 3.2.7 Local Government (Amendments) Act 2010 .......................................................... 39 3.2.8 The Plant Protection Act (Cap 31)........................................................................... 40 3.2.9 Historical Monument Act, 1967 .............................................................................. 40 3.2.10 The Wildlife Act (2019) ........................................................................................... 40 3.3 National Environment Regulations ................................................................................ 40 3.3.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 1998 .......................................... 40 3.3.2 The National Environment (Audit) Regulations, 2006 (12/2006) ........................... 41 3.3.3 The National Environment (Wetlands, Riverbanks and Lakeshores Management) Regulations, 2000 .................................................................................................................. 41 3.3.4 The National Environment Regulations (Noise Standards and Control), 2003 ...... 41 3.3.5 National Population Council Act 2014 .................................................................... 41 3.4 Institutional Framework ................................................................................................. 41 3.4.1 The World Bank Environment and Social Standards that will be triggered by this project and therefore applicable are summarized in Table 3-2 ............................................ 43 3.5 International Environmental And Social Instruments Conventions Or Treaties Ratified By Uganda ................................................................................................................................. 44 3.6 World Bank Environmental and Social Framework ....................................................... 45 3.7 World Bank Policy On Disclosure Of Information .......................................................... 51 4 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND DISCLOSURE.............................................................. 51 4.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 51 4.2 Objectives of stakeholder consultations ........................................................................ 51 4.3 Engagement with stakeholders ...................................................................................... 52 4.4 Future Consultations ...................................................................................................... 53 4.4.1 Issues for Consultation............................................................................................ 53 3 4.4.2 Consultation during Mobilization and Sensitization ............................................... 53 4.4.3 Ongoing Consultations ............................................................................................ 53 4.4.4 Consultation of Special Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Groups ............................... 53 4.4.5 Some of the Preliminary Key Stakeholder Concerns and views ............................. 54 4.5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19 .................... 55 5 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM (GRM) ........................................................................... 56 6 PROJECT POTENTIAL GENERIC RISKS/IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ............. 56 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK CLASSIFICATION - ESRC........................................ 57 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT........................................................ 60 8.1.1 Construction Contractor ......................................................................................... 65 9 CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING ..................................................................................... 65 10 MONITORING AND EVALUATION....................................................................................... 66 10.1 Compliance Monitoring.................................................................................................. 67 10.2 Impact Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 67 11 ESMF BUDGET AND DISCLOSURE ...................................................................................... 67 ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................................... 69 Annex 1: Screening Form .............................................................................................................. 69 Annex 2: Sample TOR for Preparing Environmental & Social Impact Assessment ...................... 74 Annex 3: Sample ToR for Design of Civil Works, including E&S due diligence ............................. 78 Annex 4: Incident Reporting Form ................................................................................................ 81 Annex 5: Chance Finds Procedures ............................................................................................... 85 Annex 6: Instructions for preparing a Health, Safety and Environment Management Plan (HSE- MP) ................................................................................................................................................ 87 Annex 7: Views of the community stakeholders that were consulted......................................... 88 4 LIST OF TABLES Table 2-1: Population trend in the districts traversed by this project. ..................................................... 28 Table 2-2-Project site 1..................................................................................................................... 28 Table 2-3- Project site 2 .................................................................................................................... 30 Table 3-1: Institutions with their respective responsibilities in Project implementation ............................. 41 Table 3-2: Summary of how the planned project activities trigger WB ESSs ......................................... 43 Table 3-3: International Laws and Conventions/Obligations applicable to Uganda .................................. 44 Table 3-4 Key provisions of relevant ESSs ......................................................................................... 45 Table 3-5 Comparison of Uganda’s national system for handling E&S risks and World Bank ESF ........... 48 Table 5-1- Summary of project categorization based on ESF 2018 ....................................................... 57 Table 5-2: Potential risk/impact and mitigation measures ..................................................................... 58 Table 11-1: Indicative ESMF Budget .................................................................................................. 67 Table A7-1: Key Stakeholder Issues identified .................................................................................... 88 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2-1: Map showing the project affected Districts ......................................................................... 18 Figure 2-2-Topographic map of project site 1 ...................................................................................... 25 Figure 2-3-Topographic map of project site 2 ...................................................................................... 25 Figure 2-4: Literacy levels in Uganda ................................................................................................ 32 Figure 2-5: Farming systems in Uganda ............................................................................................. 33 Figure 2-6: HIV/AIDs prevalence by region ......................................................................................... 34 Figure 8-1 Coordination Arrangements for Environmental and Social Assessments ............................... 63 Figure 8-2: Schematic flow of EIA process in Uganda.......................................................................... 64 5 LIST OF ACRONYMS CFM Collaborative Forest Management CFR Central Forest Reserve CP The Country Partnership Framework CRM Collaborative Resource Management DLG District Local Government DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo EMA Environment Management Act ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plans ESS Environmental and Social Standards FDIP Forest Dependent Indigenous People FSSD Forestry Sector Support Department GBV Gender-based Violence GO Grievance Officer GRC Grievance Redress Committee GoU Government of Uganda GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism GRS Grievance Redness Service Ha Hectare IAS Invasive Alien Species ICESCR The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights IDA International Development Association IGA Income Generating Activities LC Local Council M&E Monitoring & Evaluation MoGLSD Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development MOLG Ministry of Local Government MPs Members of Parliament MTWA Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities MWE Ministry of Water and Environment NEMA National Environment Management Authority NFA National Forestry Authority NFTPA National Forestry and Tree Planting Act NGO Non-Governmental Organization NLP National Land Policy NP National Park OPM Office of the Prime Minister PA Protected Areas PF Process Framework PIM Project Implementation Manual 6 REDD+ Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation and fostering conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks UWA Uganda Wildlife Authority WB World Bank WR Wildlife Reserve 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Uganda’s natural forests are being lost and degraded at one of the highest rates in the world despite their importance for tourism and the role they play in supporting other natural resource-based activities. The total net loss of Uganda’s forests during the period 2000-2015 was estimated at 1.8 million ha, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of 4 percent. In the year 2000 forest covered 19.4 percent of the land area but this had reduced to 12 percent by 2015.1 Several factors have been identified as drivers of forest loss and degradation and these include: the need for more land for agricultural expansion; wood extraction for energy; increased urbanization as a result of high population growth; free grazing animals and wildfires that constituted to 72% of the annual carbon emissions for 2015.2 Although Uganda has a legal and policy framework to protect forest and other wildlife areas, implementation has been weak and forest laws are weakly and unevenly enforced. This is largely because the lack of (i) adequate access to the areas, (ii) basic infrastructure and equipment, and (iii) clearly marked boundaries. Another growing threat to effective forest management is more frequent and intense forest fires, due in part by climatic variability, but also by forest fragmentation which leads to edge effects leaving forest more vulnerable to damage from forest fires set to clear agricultural land. The spread of invasive and alien species is also having a severe impact on the landscape’s protected areas. Invasive species contribute to the decline in biodiversity and is also driving an increase in human wildlife conflict. Where colonization of invasive species is extensive, such as in Queen Elizabeth NP, wildlife is driven outside the park in search of food, causing more frequent and dangerous encounters with communities. Delays in addressing the spread of invasive species can cause permanent changes to the landscape, and eradication becomes increasingly more expensive the longer the problem is left unaddressed. There is, therefore, a need to secure existing natural resources by reinforcing the management of protected areas. As part of efforts to conserve and sustain forest cover, Government of Uganda (GoU) is developing the Uganda Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development Project that will be financed by the World Bank (WB) and the Government of Uganda (GoU). The proposed Project contributes to the World Bank Group’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity in a sustainable manner. The Project is also closely aligned with the Uganda Country Partnership Framework (FY16-21) (CPF)3 and Uganda Vision 2040. The Project area targets some of the poorest districts in Uganda. Specifically, the Project concept is aligned to support the Strategic Focus Area B: Raising Incomes in Rural Areas and seeks to strengthen natural resources management and build resilience, with particular attention to growing incomes of women. Preparation of the Project is led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA). PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed project will support forest monitoring and community livelihoods engagements of the National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority in key protected areas within the Albertine landscape. These activities have 1 Ministry of Water and Environment (2018). Proposed forest reference level for Uganda. Republic of Uganda. February 2018. 2 Ministry of Water and Environment (2017). Draft Final REDD+ National Strategy 3 World Bank (2016). Country Partnership Framework for the Republic of Uganda for the Period FY16-21 8 been severely affected by COVID-19. The project will support UWA and NFA protection and forest restoration activities, including monitoring and patrolling activities, activities aimed at prevention of human-wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting, using community labor as per standard procedures in use by these agencies. The project will also support livelihoods and employment opportunities in forest-adjacent communities, through provision of inputs for alternative livelihoods (both natural-resource based and not) to create innovative income streams for these communities and support job creation. Furthermore, activities under component 1.2 will involve a number of capacity building activities for the benefiting communities and also the technical designs for very small civil works such as construction of fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides, and replacement entry gates. The proposed project will have two components that is, improved management of protected areas and Project monitoring. This component will support overall project management and monitoring, environmental and social risk management, financial management and procurement, including cost of field supervision by UWA and NFA headquarters staff. Geographically, project activities will be implemented in selected locations with highest existing pressures, with the focus on the Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve areas for UWA and the following CFRs for NFA: Budongo, Bugoma, Kasyoha-Kitomi, Kalinzu, and Wambabya (in the Budongo Forest Range) See Figure 2-1 . POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK This section summarizes the applicable policy, legal and administrative framework within which this ESMF has been prepared. Both the World Bank ESSs and the relevant GoU legislation are summarized although there still exist some gaps between the two. The World Bank ESF and GoU laws will provide guidance and procedures for screening and identification of expected environmental and social risks and impacts, developing management and monitoring plans to address the risks and to formulate institutional arrangements for managing these environmental and social risks under the project. Similarly, Institutional arrangements for ESMF implementation, monitoring and reporting processes, will ensure that all the provisions of the ESMF and its various components are being effectively implemented. On the monitoring side, this includes participatory monitoring by implementing agencies such as Local Governments, CFM and CFR groups as well as internal monitoring by the project authorities. Provisions have also made for external, third-party monitoring for critical activities covered under the ESMF. This section outlines relevant institutions and authorities that shall be involved in specific Project implementation depending on the nature of the Project as detailed in Table 3-1 below. Table showing Institutions with their respective responsibilities in Project implementation Institution Roles in the Project Remarks NFA • Implement forestry activities in and around NFA leads activities within CFRs. central forest reserves Responsible for implementation of activities in • Monitors and reports on activities components that fall under NFA mandate. undertakings UWA • Implement national parks and wildlife Responsible for implementation of activities in 9 Institution Roles in the Project Remarks reserves activities and around NPs and wildlife reserves in • Monitors and reports on activities components that fall under UWA mandate. Local • Supporting in supervision, advisory, Work in close cooperation with other Government coordination and planning of Project agencies on issues of: grievance, training, Level (District, relevant activities reviews, integration/mainstreaming of gender, Sub-Count, • Liaise with the agencies on Project ethnic minority and marginalized group and Parish and LCI) implementation progress reporting and communication. • Providing technical personnel for review Lead in activities supporting local forest and assessing compliance, learning reserves, forest outside protected areas, lessons, and improving future of Project erosion control measures and household • Handle issues and supervise issues of energy interventions. integration/mainstreaming of gender, ethnic minority and marginalized group involvement in all Project activities Collaborative • Review, re-negotiate, and sign expired The project will work through established Forest CFM agreements using the same terms as community groups under the Collaborative Management in the previously negotiated agreements Forest Management (CFM) and Collaborative Groups (CFM) (with approximately 10 groups around Resource Management (CFM) arrangements Bugoma, Kasyoha-Kitomi, and Budongo under NFA and UWA respectively. CFRs). • Support to development of bee-based value chain within 10 CFM groups, including provision of inputs and training of the communities on bee keeping, value addition, and business skills. • Support to communities for establishment of commercial tree nurseries, using mixed tree and fruit species (10 CFM groups). • Promotion and support to craft making projects among women groups, including training of women groups on craft making and business skills and provision them with craft inputs. Collaborative • Support established CRM groups with Will support overall project management and Resource alternative wood and nutritional monitoring, environmental and social risk Management requirements, through establishment of management, financial management and Groups (CRM) mixed tree and fruit nursery in each PA for procurement, including cost of field free seedling distribution and provision of supervision by UWA and NFA headquarters inputs and training on rabbit farming; staff. • Training of approximately five CRM groups in honey packaging and marketing from each PA. 10 Institution Roles in the Project Remarks • Training of approximately two CRM groups from each PA in wood craft designs and market dynamics. • Training of 20 CRM group members from each PA in income generating practical skills like soap and candle making. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND DISCLOSURE ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure under the ESF recognizes the importance of open and transparent engagement with project stakeholders. Success of any project depends on the level and quality of stakeholder engagement, which is to be an inclusive process expected to occur throughout the project life cycle. Engagement is more useful when introduced in the early phases of project development and is mainstreamed into all levels of decision-making. To this end, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared and will be disclosed as part of the environmental and social documents/ instruments for the proposed Project. Objectives of stakeholder consultations Two consultation meetings with key stakeholders were carried out with NFA and UWA project coordinators as well as various meetings held with see: Table 5 CFM and CFR groups specifically to achieve the following objectives: a) Provide a short summary of which stakeholders, when they were consulted, and feedback as part of the preparation of this ESMF. b) Provide background information of the proposed Project; c) provide opportunities to stakeholders to discuss their risks and impacts likely to be caused by the project. d) solicit the stakeholders’ views on the project and discuss their involvement in the various project activities; e) Ensure that stakeholders understand the relevance of the development of ESMF and its associated tools such as the SEP and LMP for the proposed project and are in line with the World Bank ESF. f) Discuss potential environmental and social risks and impacts, related to the proposed project g) Capture and document all feedback from stakeholders and responding where appropriate. h) Assess the level of stakeholder interest and support for the proposed project and enable stakeholders’ views to be taken into account in project design and environmental and social performance. i) Understand the technical capacity and gaps of the implementing partners and implementing agencies in regard to environmental and social safeguards. PROJECT INSTITUTIONAL IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND CAPACITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT Project activities will be implemented by the NFA and UWA under the overall management of their headquarters teams and with direct implementation by the respective teams on the ground. Both NFA and UWA have experience of implementing World Bank financed projects. They are also implementing agencies of the Uganda: Investing in 11 Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project (IDA funded), implementation of which is expected to start in 2021 and is also governed by the ESF. Both implementing agencies (NFA and UWA), which will provide overall E&S risk management for this project, have experience in implementing World Bank financed projects; the most recent one being the Uganda: Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project (IDA funded), approved by the World Bank Board in April 2020. It is worth noting that all key staff including E&S specialists have undergone a training on the essentials of the ESF aimed at improving environmental and social risk management. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM (GRM) A grievance redress mechanism (GRM) shall be established by the NFA and UWA in line with the guidance provided in this ESMF. This will ensure transparency and accountability. In order to ensure the accessibility and effectiveness, the GRM shall have a clear set of goals and objectives and a well-defined scope for its interventions, especially geographical area coverage. The GRM shall include a set of procedures for receiving, recording, and handling complaints. It has been learned from many years of experience that open dialogue and collaborative grievance resolution simply represent good business practice both in managing social and environmental risk and in furthering Project and community development objectives. In voicing their concerns, they also expect to be heard and taken seriously. Therefore, NFA and UWA must assure people that they can voice grievances and the Project will work to resolve them without bias. The feedback mechanism is emphasized as one of the key aspects of GRM that require constant checking and supervision by the NFA, UWA and other implementing partners/stakeholders. The Project GRM will be augmented by the World Bank’s Grievance Redress Service, which provides an easy way for Project-effected communities and individuals to bring their grievances directly to the attention of Bank Management. The GRS will ensure that complaints are directed promptly to relevant Bank Task Teams and/or Managers for review and action, as appropriate. The goal is to enhance the Bank’s involvement, respons iveness and accountability. It is expected that the Grievance Redress Committee members will be drawn from the community and given basic training and facilitation to carry out their tasks. The GRC members will comprise of the following: • local influential opinion leaders such as religious leaders, cultural/traditional leaders, elders, civil society organizations, political leaders and government agencies; • the Collaborative Forest Management, CRM or game parks management structures; • Community Wildlife Committees; and • Local Council Committees. PROJECT POTENTIAL GENERIC RISKS/IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Overall Project implementation is expected to have positive environmental and social impacts due to specific focus of the project to create environmental benefits the communities; such as prevention of human-wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting, anticipated environmental risks and impacts are generally expected to be localized, minor and short-lived 12 Table below indicates the potential environmental and social impacts associated with project activities along with corresponding and proposed mitigation/enhancement measures. Activity Impact Proposed mitigation measures Reforestation activities within If non-indigenous tree species are Use of only trees species local to the Forest Reserves used, there may be potential negative restoration areas. This will be assured by impacts on biodiversity raising wildlets (wild naturally sown seedlings) found in the forest in the nurseries and using these seedlings for forest restoration activities within reserves. Activities under component 1.2 Occupational health and safety risks Workers will be required to wear suitable will involve a number of capacity such as accidents and falls from civil Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), building activities for the works, injuries to workers due to including hardhats, safety boots, and benefiting communities and also handling working tools for trench gloves as needed. very small civil works related to excavations; falls in the trenches; Workers will be sufficiently trained in the boundary protection to prevent biological hazards - skin irritation and safe methods pertaining to their area of human wildlife conflict (such as other infections from plants or animal work to avoid injuries. digging of trenches) bites Issues of biological hazards - skin The project should create awareness on irritation and other infections from how to deal with encounters with plants or animal and snake bites animals, snakebite, among others Public nuisance due to presence of -Restrict construction activities to debris and air pollution daytime hours only, when noise pollution is least felt. Noise pollution as a result of -No activities will be allowed on site construction works beyond 7.00 pm in order to reduce noise pollution at night. -Put in place a code of conduct to be followed by the workforce and avoid causing unnecessary inconvenience to the community. -Provide protective gear to the workforce operating equipment that generates noise. • In case of air pollution there should be monitoring of the weather conditions and adjusting the work program as required to respond to dry or windy conditions. And for construction waste such as debris adding waste management should be put in place following 3Rs: reduce, 13 reuse, recycle, plus proper disposal of residual waste Ensure regular maintenance of any mechanized equipment.to reduce on the noise Community health and safety risks Hoard off the construction site area related with disposal and handling of The contractor should also consider hazardous waste segregation, temporary secure storage before proper final disposal Risks to human health and the Provide adequate facilities for the environment due to handling temporary storage of waste oil if any. construction site waste Risks related with COVID-19 Sensitize all project employees about the pandemic are expected mainly, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as during operationalization of TA well as the ways to control its spread by activities providing masks and hand sanitizing stations. Screen local employees/contractors for COVID-19 during recruitment. Management of potential COVID-19 cases – in case, any workers develop the above symptoms, isolate them and immediately contact the respective District Health Officers (DHOs) to pick and transport the patients for testing and treatment. Since the project involves minimal civil works mainly trench digging, Implementers of activities will follow there is the potential for chance find of cultural or archeological chance Find Procedures included in this significance during such activities especially trench digging. There are ESMF. Provisions related to cultural also potential risks related to intangible cultural heritage, such as heritage (including locations of identified disruption to religious/cultural festivity in the community by civil works sites of cultural significance) are included in PA management plans. The project will also support design of infrastructure, considered Technical Assistance (TA) activity under ESF. When implemented, such infrastructure may generate moderate to substantial environmental and social impacts which can increase community exposure to risks and impacts. In addition, communities that are already subjected to impacts from climate change may also experience an acceleration or intensification of impacts due to project activities. As such, the borrower should design, construct, operate, and decommission the structural elements of the project in accordance with national legal requirements, the EHSGs and other GIIP, taking into consideration safety risks to third parties and affected communities. Structural elements of a project should be designed and constructed by competent professionals and certified or approved by competent authorities or professionals. Additionally, Structural design should take into account climate change considerations, as appropriate. 14 The terms of reference for TA activities will ensure that environmental and social objectives of the ESF and national system will be taken into account in the planning and design and implementation arrangements for the individual projects. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT Principally, environmental screening is intended to ensure that, proposed projects are subjected to appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment (EA) under ESS1 and applicable provisions of other ESS. It is recognized that project investments under Components 1 and could pose localized environmental impacts arising from proposed forest restoration and management activities; as well as small infrastructure development on the boundaries of protected areas. Since these areas are environmentally sensitive, attention to the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring is needed. However, the planned works will be carried out using community labor and in very close proximity to selected National Parks, and therefore away from communities. These two facts will significantly reduce the potential risks associated with influx of labor (GBV, VAC, COVID-19, potential fire outbreaks) and those related to health and safety of communities in general. Moreover, both implementing agencies (NFA and UWA), which will provide overall E&S risk management for this project have experience of implementing World Bank financed projects; the most recent one being the Uganda: Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project (IDA funded), approved by the World Bank Board in April 2020. Therefore, this assessment concludes that risk ratings of moderate are recommended for both environmental and social risks. Hence, specific mitigation measures per activity in a manner proportionate to the risks and impacts are recommended in Table 6. These will be complemented overall by capacity-building in environmental and social risk management which is already planned for both UWA and NFA under the IFPA-CD project. UWA and NFA routinely undertake ESMPs consistent with the legal framework and have specialist staff assigned for this purpose as well as staff responsible for community engagement. CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING Project activities will be implemented by the NFA and UWA under the overall management of their headquarters teams and with direct implementation by the respective teams on the ground. Both NFA and UWA have experience in implementing World Bank financed projects. They are also implementing agencies of the Uganda: Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project (IDA funded), approved by the World Bank Board in April 2020 which is also governed by the ESF. Prior to implementation of this project, all key staff including E&S specialists will undergo a training on the essentials of the ESF aimed at improving environmental and social risk management. NFA and UWA will provide overall E&S risk management for this project. MONITORING AND EVALUATION Overview The purpose of environmental and social standards monitoring includes: a) Ensure that proper appraisals on the effects of project activities takes place and that proper measures are put in place to mitigate the effects; b) Set out the basis for compliance and enforcement of terms and conditions for approval; c) Design compliance strategies; 15 d) Assess compliance with and management of the environment and social safeguards. e) Ensure that all stakeholders participate in the Sub-Project processes. Monitoring The environmental and social standards monitoring will be carried out by UWA and NFA, working closely with District Local Governments, to carry and ensure effective monitoring of environmental and social risks. Monitoring of environmental and social standards will also cover all project activities. ESMF BUDGET AND DISCLOSURE Financial resources are required to support implementation of this ESMF based on estimates summarized Table 11-1. However, the final costs will be confirmed during project appraisal Table showing indicative ESMF Budget N0 ITEM BUDGET( $USD) 1 Mobilization and sensitization of the communities especially those living in those project areas 15,000 2 Building the capacity of Departments in the implementing agencies to institutionalize 20,000 safeguards management (specialized short-term trainings) for field activities 3 Environmental and social safeguards monitoring and reporting Environmental screening and Preparation of ESIAs, ESMPs and related safeguard management plans for investments 15,000 funded from component 1 and 2 GRAND TOTAL 75,000 ESMF DISCLOSURE This ESMF will be disclosed in compliance with relevant Ugandan regulations and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework. NFA/UWA will upload the ESMF and other safeguards for the project onto their websites https://www.nfa.org.ug/ and https://www.ugandawildlife.org/ and invite the public to access and review the documents. Implementing agencies will also provide copies of the ESMF to the public in the NEMA library and offices of the stakeholders. The ESMF alongside other safeguards documents will be disclosed at the World Bank’s website and made available to any interested persons for public access. 16 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Background Uganda’s natural forests are being lost and degraded at one of the highest rates in the world despite their importance for tourism and the role they play in supporting other natural resource-based activities. The total net loss of Uganda’s forests during the period 2000-2015 was estimated at 1.8 million ha, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of 4 percent. In the year 2000 forest covered 19.4 percent of the land area but this had reduced to 12 percent by 2015.4 Several factors have been identified as drivers of forest loss and degradation and these include: the need for more land for agricultural expansion; wood extraction for energy; increased urbanization as a result of high population growth; free grazing animals and wildfires that constituted to 72% of the annual carbon emissions for 20155. Although Uganda has a legal and policy framework to protect forest and other wildlife areas, implementation has been weak and forest laws are weakly and unevenly enforced. This is largely because the lack of (i) adequate access to the areas, (ii) basic infrastructure and equipment, and (iii) clearly marked boundaries. Another growing threat to effective forest management is more frequent and intense forest fires, due in part by climatic variability, but also by forest fragmentation which leads to edge effects leaving forest more vulnerable to damage from forest fires set to clear agricultural land. The spread of invasive and alien species is also having a severe impact on the landscape’s protected areas. Invasive species contribute to the decline in biodiversity and is also driving an increase in human wildlife conflict. Where colonization of invasive species is extensive, such as in Queen Elizabeth NP, wildlife is driven outside the park in search of food, causing more frequent and dangerous encounters with communities. Delays in addressing the spread of invasive species can cause permanent changes to the landscape, and eradication becomes increasingly more expensive the longer the problem is left unaddressed. There is, therefore, a need to secure existing natural resources by reinforcing the management of protected areas. As part of the effort to enhance livelihood in the forest protected areas, UWA and NFA, with project support, will undertake protection and forest restoration activities, including monitoring and patrolling activities, activities aimed at prevention of human-wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting, using labour from nearby communities, as per standard procedures in use by these agencies. The project will also support livelihoods and employment opportunities in forest-adjacent communities, through provision of inputs for alternative livelihoods (both natural-resource based and not) to create innovative income streams for these communities and support job creation. 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Location of the Project Area The proposed project will have two components that is Improved management of protected areas and Project monitoring. Geographically, project area management activities will be implemented in selected locations with highest existing pressures, with the focus on the Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve areas for UWA and the following CFRs for NFA: Budongo, Bugoma, Kasyoha-Kitomi, Kalinzu, and 4 Ministry of Water and Environment (2018). Proposed forest reference level for Uganda. Republic of Uganda. February 2018. 5 Ministry of Water and Environment (2017). Draft Final REDD+ National Strategy 17 Wambabya (in the Budongo Forest Range). The monitoring component will support overall project management and monitoring, environmental and social risk management, financial management and procurement, including cost of field supervision by UWA and NFA headquarters staff. Figure 2-1: Map showing the project affected Districts 2.2 Project components Component 1. Improved management of protected areas Sub-Component 1.1. Improvement of infrastructure and equipment for the management of forest protected areas 18 This component will support UWA and NFA protection and forest restoration activities, including monitoring and patrolling activities, activities aimed at prevention of human-wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting, using community labor as per standard procedures in use by these agencies. This component will also support development of design documentation for some of the infrastructure that will be supported under IDA financing under the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project – initiating development of civil works designs early will allow fast track start of the actual construction. Specifically, the following activities will be financed: • Enhanced monitoring of target protected areas (including national parks and central forest reserves) – including provision of protective clothes (such as warm suits) and food rations to monitoring team and fuel for vehicles. For the NFA, the project will also provide for purpose for three motorbikes for improved forest monitoring in Budongo, Bugoma and Kalinzu CFRs. The project will not finance salaries of UWA and NFA staff which are covered by the Government of Uganda. • Human-wildlife conflict prevention – using the approaches that have been piloted and tested in Uganda, including, where appropriate, construction of trenches (using community labor), planting of live fences using Mauritius thorn, planting of animal-repellent crops such as chilli and tea, and establishment of bee hives. These activities will have the double advantage of contributing to reduction of problem animal issues and providing paid employment and alternative livelihoods to the communities. • Fire prevention and fire management activities, in cooperation with communities, including reviewing fire management plans (including community consultations) and opening new fire breaks. • Restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting (in Bugoma and Kasyoha-Kitomi CFRs). • Community awareness on need and importance forest conservation. • Civil works design for priority infrastructure investments. Sub-Component 1.2. Increasing the involvement of local communities in the management of forest and wildlife areas by increasing their access and benefits from these areas This subcomponent will support livelihoods and employment opportunities in forest-adjacent communities, through provision of inputs for alternative livelihoods (both natural resource-based and not) and occupational / vocational training in non-tourism fields (in partnership with NGOs where possible) to create innovative income streams for these communities and support job creation. The project will work through established community groups under the Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) and Collaborative Resource Management (CFM) arrangements under NFA and UWA respectively. Specifically, the following activities will be financed: For implementation by NFA: 19 • Review, re-negotiation, and signing of expired CFM agreements using the same terms as in the previously negotiated agreements (with approximately 10 groups around Bugoma, Kasyoha-Kitomi, and Budongo CFRs). • Support to development of bee-based value chain within 10 CFM groups, including provision of inputs and training of the communities on bee keeping, value addition, and business skills. • Support to communities for establishment of commercial tree nurseries, using mixed tree and fruit species (10 CFM groups). • Promotion and support to craft making projects among women groups, including training of women groups on craft making and business skills and provision them with craft inputs. For implementation by UWA: • Support at least two problem animal hotspot sub-counties around each of the three target PAs to develop and implement land use plans. • Support established CRM groups with alternative wood and nutritional requirements, through establishment of mixed tree and fruit nursery in each PA for free seedling distribution and provision of inputs and training on rabbit farming; • Training of approximately five CRM groups in honey packaging and marketing from each PA. • Training of approximately two CRM groups from each PA in wood craft designs and market dynamics. • Training of 20 CRM group members from each PA in income generating practical skills. • Support to valuation of monetary value equivalents for community resource access (as support for planning processes). • Establishment and support to community wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside PAs. • Support to ecotourism community groups, including existing groups that protect natural habitats of chimpanzees and existing private conservation-livelihood model initiatives along the Murchison-Queen tourism road. Component 2 – Project monitoring This component will support overall project management and monitoring, environmental and social risk management, financial management and procurement, including cost of field supervision by UWA and NFA headquarters staff. 2.3 Project Beneficiaries The main beneficiaries of the project are Ugandan communities that depend on forest resources in project target landscapes. Support to the natural-resource-based livelihoods and jobs-related training will create gainful employment. The GoU agencies in the natural resources sector and their staff (namely UWA and the NFA) will benefit from improved capacity for service delivery. Project interventions will also enhance ecosystem services from 20 the landscape, for example, watershed protection, indirectly benefitting downstream water users through improved water flow, better water quality, and reduced soil erosion. The project will support higher inclusion and participation of women, boys, and girls in all activities, recognizing the gender gaps in women's voice and agency in forest management in Uganda. Project activities that are likely to trigger safeguards policies The main project activity or component that will trigger environmental and social safeguards is the forest monitoring and community livelihoods engagements of the National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority in key protected areas within the Albertine landscape. The project will also support livelihoods and employment opportunities in forest-adjacent communities, through provision of inputs for alternative livelihoods (both natural-resource based and not) to create innovative income streams for these communities and support job creation. sustaining forests and supporting resilient livelihoods. 2.4 Project Development Objective To improve sustainable management of, and increase benefits to communities from, target protected areas in response to COVID-19 impacts. 2.5 The Environmental and Social Management Framework - ESMF 2.5.1 Purpose of ESMF The Environmental and Social Framework and its Standards apply to all projects for which Bank Investment Project Financing is sought. The Bank requires that all environmental and social risks and impacts of the project be addressed as part of the environmental and social assessment conducted in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). According to the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework 2017, an ESMF is an instrument that examines the risks and impacts within a Project Investment Financing (IPF) with multiple subprojects, the details of which will not be known until project implementation. The ESMF has been prepared to assist in screening, assessment, and management of environmental and social risks of the project from an early stage in project planning, and to integrate mitigation measures during the design of project activities and their implementation. The ESMF will provide specific guidance on the policies and procedures to be followed for environmental and social assessment along with roles and responsibilities of the various implementing agencies. A systematic methodology has been provided in the ESMF that can be followed along with institutional interventions required for project activities to ensure effective integration of the environmental and social safeguards into project implementation. The objective of the ESMF is to provide a framework for effective management of the environmental and social issues and the impacts that are likely to emerge during project implementation. The specific objectives of the ESMF include; a) setting out the principles, rules, guidelines and procedures to assess the environmental and social risks and impacts; b) contain measures and plans to reduce, mitigate and/or offset adverse risks and impacts, provisions for estimating and budgeting the costs of such measures, and information on the agency or agencies responsible for addressing project risks and impacts, including on its capacity to manage environmental and social risks and impacts; and 21 c) includes adequate information on the area in which subprojects are expected to be sited, including any potential environmental and social vulnerabilities of the area; and on the potential impacts that may occur and mitigation measures that might be expected to be used. 2.5.2 Purpose and scope of the ESMF The areas of direct intervention, as well the precise scope of project works have not been fully defined. As such, an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) will be prepared and implemented, including procedures for screening and excluding any intervention that could cause unprecedented environmental and social impacts. The ESMF will be valid for all activities supported by the project, examining the project overall risks and impacts, setting out the principles, rules, guidelines and procedures to assess, mitigate and monitor the environmental and social risks and impacts along the project implementation. Additionally the project will use and comply with the attendant E&S documents such as the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and Labour Management Plan (LMP) as required by the World Bank Environment and Social Framework of 2017 with due regard to timelines throughout the project life cycle as highlighted in this ESMF. The ESCP sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents, or plans, as well as the timing to ensure compliance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). The ESCP will form part of the legal agreement. The legal agreement will include, as necessary, obligations of the Borrower to support the implementation of the ESCP. 2.5.3 Approach and Methodology in ESMF Preparation This ESMF has been developed based on literature review and stakeholders’ consultations. Reviewed documents include those that comprise the policy and legislative framework for the Government of Uganda (GoU). 2.5.4 Literature Review Some of the key documents that were reviewed include: a) The World Bank Environmental and Social Framework 2017 b) The Project Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) 2020 c) District Development Plans d) Management Plans for Central Forest Reserves, e) Management Plans for National Parks and Wildlife Reserves 2.5.5 Stakeholder and Community Consultations Direct stakeholder consultations and community meetings were not undertaken given the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions imposed to curtail spread of the disease. Detailed community stakeholder consultations, engagement and sensitization will be undertaken before commencement of the project activities. Using the guidance provided in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan, preliminary stakeholder and community consultative meetings were conducted through telephone calls, online meetings such as Zoom, and email correspondence with the key stakeholders to document their input in the formulations of this ESMF. However, note that detailed aspects of the stakeholder consultations are covered in detail in the project’s SEP as a separate document and some of the stakeholder concerns are detailed in Annex 7 2.5.6 Screening The project will also not support reforestation / forest restoration in areas that would require change in land use. 22 According to the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework6 for projects involving multiple project activities that are to be identified, prepared, and implemented during the course of the project whose categorization is Substantial Risk, Moderate Risk or Low Risk, the use of National Regulations will be permitted after review by the Bank. Therefore, during project activities implementation, it is expected that the Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment in Uganda (1997) will be used provided they consistent with the ESF. Where there are gaps between the ESF and the Guidelines, gap-filling measures will be proposed. The key regulations for environmental and social assessment in Uganda include: The National Environment Act, 2019, and the National Environment (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1998. They both define the role of ESIA as a key tool in environmental management, especially in addressing potential environmental and social risks and impacts at the Pre-project stage. The Regulations define the ESIA preparation process, required contents of an ESIA, and the review and approval process including provisions for public review and comment. The regulations are interpreted for developers and practitioners through the Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment in Uganda (1997). 2.6 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS 2.6.1 Baseline Environmental Information 2.6.1.1 Physical Environment a) Topography The topography of the Albertine Graben is mainly characterized by mountains and escarpments and is associated with valleys and flanks. The higher elevations support Afromontane and sub-montane forests, grasslands, and – on the highest peaks – afroalpine moorlands. Whereas the West Nile exerts a first-order influence on the climatic gradients lying between the drier East African Plateau and the wetter Congo Basin with a unimodal rainfall regime. The topography of the West Nile, especially the proposed project areas, generally varies largely from highlands dropping into broad flat-bottomed valleys and low slope gradient with high peaks in some areas like Mt. Otze at 1500m above sea level in Moyo, hills liek Midigo and Kei in the Northern District. Specifically, Kalinzu forest reserve occupies rather flat land on the floor of the rift valley, where the topography is broken only by a number of small, incised rivers which drain off the escarpment and flow E-W into Lake Edward. This part of the forest lies on sedimentary rocks of the Kaiso and Epi-Kaiso (Semliki) series which give rise to soils of rather low fertility, which are easily eroded. Budongo forest -The reserve occupies gently undulating terrain with an easy general slope NNW to the edge of the escarpment. It is drained by two small rivers, the Sonso and Waisoke. The underlying rocks are ancient gneisses, schists and granulites of the Basement Complex, overlain by Bunyoro Series sediments in a small area of the Siba block. Bugoma forest reserve occupies rolling country, which drains towards Lake Albert in the west. The only permanent river is the Nkusi, which forms the southern boundary of the reserve, with the majority of the area drained by streams that flow only seasonally. The underlying rocks consist of schists, shales, quartzites and dolerites of the Karagwe- Ankolean Series, merging with those of the Bunyoro Series in the east. 6 The World Bank Environmental and Social Framework. Paragraph 36 page 8. 23 For Kasyoha-Kitomi, the area is characterized by steeply undulating terrain, and is deeply dissected by two rivers, the Chambura and the Buhindagi, which drain the escarpment in a northerly direction, carrying water across the dry rift valley plains to the Kazinga Channel and Lake George. The area is geologically complex, the underlying rocks including quartzites, schists, gneisses, shales and phyllites of the Karagwe-Ankolean and Toro systems 24 Figure 2-2-Topographic map of project site 1 Figure 2-3-Topographic map of project site 2 25 b) Soils & Geology The geological and geophysical data suggest that the Albertine Graben region has undergone substantial tectonic movements and thick sediments have been deposited especially in the Albertine graben in fluvial deltaic and lacustrine environments. The sedimentary rocks are predominantly sandstones, siltstones, clay stones and shales. The sandstones and siltstones are mostly of high porosity and permeability. Whereas the most of West Nile is under laid by rocks of the basement complex of Precambrian age which are composed largely of granite fascia grade rocks, which generally form enclaves in the gneiss complex. On hilltops, Grey granite and gneiss are left exposed in many places. These granites and gneiss are intensively metamorphosed and deformed. The underlain Precambrian crystalline basement rocks are modified and altered by subsequent geological events including the rifting and volcanic activity, as well as the deposition of associated sediments. The rocks are overlain by predominantly ferrallitic sand loams with fine textile and a lesser extent ferruginous soil. The commonest soil types in the region include: dark cotton soils, clay loams latosols varying from dark grey to dark brownish which are slightly acidic and mainly derived from granite, gneissic and sedimentary rocks. They occur on gently undulating - hilly topography of the region. Some sections are Brown - yellow clay loams with laterite horizon and Light - grey- white mottled loamy soils with laterite horizon ground, structure-less loamy sands. c) Hydrology The Albertine Graben has numerous hydrological features including rivers, streams and lakes. The three main lakes are L. Albert, L. Edward, and L. George with L. Albert as the major drainage feature in the region. The principal affluent streams for Lake Albert are Semliki, originating from L. Edward through the western edge of the great Ituri rain forest in DR Congo and the Victoria Nile. The region has other numerous small streams entering L. Albert from both Uganda and DR Congo, some of which are highly seasonal and of only minor importance to the hydrology. Whereas the west Nile region generally lacks adequate surface and ground water resources. The sources of water include ground water, rivers, springs, wells, gravity flow scheme. The coverage of water resources in the region is over various counties is fairly equal. Major problems attributed to water are largely experienced in several areas of the region including Koboko, Yumbe district, Madi-Okollo County in Arua where there are fewer water bodies and water quality is rather low. d) Climate Due to variations in the landscape, the Albertine region has a sharp variation in rainfall amounts. The landscape ranges from the low-lying Rift Valley floor to the rift escarpment, and the raised hill ranges. The Rift Valley floor lies in a rain shadow and has the least amount of rainfall. The region is characterized with a bimodal rainfall pattern with totals ranging from about 800 mm in the Lake Albert flat rising rapidly the further east above the Escarpment. The Albertine Graben region lies astride the equator and hence experiences small annual variation in temperatures; and the climate may be described generally as hot and humid, with average monthly temperatures varying between 27°C and 31°C, and maximums consistently above 30°C. Temperature analysis based on different meteorological stations in the region, indicate that the highest temperatures are experienced between January and March (31 – 33 °C) and the lowest between July and November (27– 29 °C). This region experiences high rates of evapotranspiration, which has a resultant effect on runoff, groundwater recharge and dry season flows, increasing drought risks. 2.6.2 Biological Environment 26 e) Fauna According to Andrew J. Plumtree (2007) the Albertine region is one of the most important regions for biodiversity conservation in Africa. It has a greater variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species than any other region on the continent and therefore contains many high global conservation priority sites harboring a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterfly’s species. Some of the globally threatened mammals in the region include eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei), golden monkey and Rwenzori otter shrew Based on Bird Life International (Stattersfield et al., 1998), Conservation International (CI) and WWF, this region is defined as a ‘Global -200’ priority ecoregion and part of the Eastern Afromontane Hotspot in the second global analysis. However, there is a spread of invasive and alien species in the landscape’s protected areas in the region like Queen Elizabeth NP. This contribute s to the decline in biodiversity rising due to wildlife movement in search for food causing more frequent and dangerous encounters with communities and hence increasing human wildlife conflict. f) Flora Forests, savannah grassland, woodland and swamps are the main kind of vegetation within the Project targeted areas. Natural habitats are highly threatened by human activities influencing the natural vegetation. This in turn brings about the spread of invasive and alien species which also have a severe impact on the landscape’s protected areas. Within the forest reserves and natural parks, a combination of human activities and wildlife grazing like elephants, hippopotamuses, buffalos, and antelope species have a major influence on the vegetation of the parks. g) Protected Areas Geographically, project activities will be implemented in selected locations with highest existing pressures on natural resources, with the focus on populated areas around the Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve areas for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Central Forest Reserves (CFR) in the Budongo Forest Range for the National Forestry Authority (NFA). h) Forests Natural forest types include those found at higher and lower altitudes and those with various plant compositions ranging from primarily evergreen to deciduous to bamboo forests. Various forest specialist species of conservation concern are associated with the various forest types. Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) in Uganda fall in two main categories namely those for production and those for protection. Production forests which include savanna bushland and grassland areas were gazette for supply of forest products and future development of industrial plantations. The protection forests include all the tropical high forests, savanna woodlands and/or grasslands that protect watersheds and water catchments, biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes that are prone to degradation under uncontrolled human use. The National Forestry Authority has characterized CFRs according to the following criteria: i) CFRs of ecological value (watershed protection, protection of water bodies and river courses); ii) CFRs of biodiversity importance; iii) CFRs with tropical high forest; iv) CFRs of importance for industrial plantations (especially timber and plywood). In this case the targeted CFRs are: Budongo, Bugoma and Wambabya CFRs in Budongo systems Range and Kalinzu and Kasyoha-Kitomi CFRs in South West Range for the NFA. These are managed by the NFA. i) Ecosystems and Land Cover The Project area is not only important for biodiversity but also for the ecological processes and ecosystem services. In Budongo, Wambabya Bugoma, Kasyoha kitomi and Kalizu central forest reserves, the savanna parks contained 27 some of the highest biomasses of large mammals recorded on earth in the 1960s. The Albert Nile serves as the main river within the area and has many tributaries starting at the outflow of Lake Albert and follows the western arm of the East African Rift Valley into South Sudan, where it joins the Aswa River and becomes the Bahr el Jebel or White Nile River and hence supports the land cover of the area as well as a resource that enhances social economic activities. According to the Nature Conservation in Uganda's Tropical Forest Reserves (1991), the 428 km 2 Budongo forested portion supports a variety of different forest types, but can be broadly classified as medium altitude moist semideciduous forest, since several of the dominant species are, at least briefly, deciduous (Langdale-Brown et al., 1964) while the Maramagambo and Kalinzu forest reserves is 580 km2; is comprised of 291 km2 (North Maramagambo), 152 km2 (South Maramagambo) and 137 km2 (Kalinzu). 299 km2 of the area lies within the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which forms part of a very large transnational network of adjoining protected areas including Zaire's Virungas National Park (7,800 km2) among others. Bugoma forest covers 365 km2, partially demarcated by cut lines and direction trenches, but these have received little or no maintenance over the past decade or more. The reserve is isolated from other protected areas by land that has already been settled or is earmarked for settlement. Kasyoha-Kitomi forest reserve covers 399 km2, demarcated since the boundaries were finally re-aligned in 1965, by rivers and streams and cut-lines marked at the corners by cairns and direction trenches. j) National Parks The tourism sector has demonstrated high potential for generating revenue and employment form the country’s protected areas. Uganda’s tourism is nature based and 80% of tourists are interested at the wildlife and scenery. This region is currently ongoing oil exploitation which could contribute to disruption if not well planned. The prominent Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, and Toro- Semliki Wildlife Reserve areas and Budongo ,Wambabya and Bugoma Forest Reserves, along with other protected areas are inside and outside the Graben linked by wildlife corridors providing exchange of genes, allow animal interactions, act as dispersal routes and increase species diversity. 2.7 Socio-economic Environment The population structure in the Albertine graben reflects similar trends as those in the rest of the country with a pyramid structure reflecting a large dependent age. The social economic profile of the project area is presented below 2.7.1 Population trends The combined population living within the project area is approximately 1,670,582 with 830,957males and 839,625females for project site one and a combined population of 914,636 with 444,856 males and 469780 respectively for project site two. With a projected population growth rate of 3.6%, encroachment on forest reserves is inevitable which requires guided interventions to secure the natural resources. Table 2-1: Population trend in the districts traversed by this project. Table 2-2-Project site 1 District Sub-county (2014) Males Females Population Buliisa Biiso 8125 8470 16595 28 Buliisa Buliisa 8390 8640 17030 Buliisa Buliisa TC 3812 3473 7285 Buliisa Butiaba 16554 12627 29181 Buliisa Kigwera 7113 6899 14012 Buliisa Kihungya 5857 6454 12311 Buliisa Ngwedo 8225 8930 17155 Bundibugyo Kasitu 10164 10833 20997 Bundibugyo Kirumya 5291 5753 11044 Bundibugyo Ngamba 5280 5387 10667 Hoima Bugambe 15284 14831 30115 Hoima Bujumbura 10850 11954 22804 Hoima Buseruka 22105 20913 43018 Hoima Kabwoya 32239 30879 63118 Hoima Kigorobya 33772 34630 68402 Hoima Kigorobya TC 2732 3135 5867 Hoima Kitoba 17646 17694 35340 Hoima Kiziranfumbi 17832 17758 35590 Hoima Kyabigambire 20972 20152 41124 Hoima Kyangwali 49598 47768 97366 Kabarole Hakibale 18703 18031 36734 Kabarole Kicwamba 17591 17509 35100 Kabarole Kyaitamba 5668 5039 10707 Kibaale Burora 6388 6763 13151 Kibaale Kiryanga 12316 12306 24622 Kibaale Kyakabadiima 4428 4981 9409 Kibaale Kyaterekera 11708 12331 24039 Kibaale Kyenzige 7831 8406 16237 Kibaale Mabaale 10304 11010 21314 Kibaale Mpeefu 19047 20154 39201 Kibaale Ndaiga 4599 4224 8823 Kibaale Paacwa 7876 8188 16064 Kibaale Rugashari 7759 8095 15854 Kibaale Ruteete 8918 9054 17972 Kiryandongo Bweyale 15178 16432 31610 Kiryandongo Kigumba 22667 22612 45279 Kiryandongo Kigumba TC 8934 9764 18698 Kiryandongo Kiryandongo 40661 39705 80366 Kiryandongo Kiryandongo RSC 6507 6975 13482 Kiryandongo Kiryandongo TC 2939 2997 5936 Kiryandongo Masindi Port 4745 4307 9052 Kiryandongo Mutunda 31910 31855 63765 29 Masindi Budondo 24843 26717 51560 Masindi Karujubu 14948 12862 27810 Masindi Pakanyi 30003 30159 60162 Nebbi Pakwach 11068 11994 23062 Nebbi Pakwach TC 10499 11861 22360 Nebbi Panyimur 15121 15446 30567 Ntoroko Butungama 5176 4871 10047 Ntoroko Bweramule 3086 3177 6263 Ntoroko Kanara 6640 7135 13775 Ntoroko Kanara TC 3990 3867 7857 Ntoroko Karugutu 3206 3092 6298 Ntoroko Karugutu TC 4981 5258 10239 Ntoroko Nombe 3979 4091 8070 Ntoroko Rwebisengo 2347 2235 4582 Ntoroko Rwebisengo TC 1366 1622 2988 Nwoya Anaka (Payira) 5400 5897 11297 Nwoya Anaka TC 6462 7027 13489 Nwoya Koch-Goma 17558 18091 35649 Nwoya Purongo 13556 13746 27302 Oyam Aber 16770 17610 34380 Oyam Kamdini 19878 21327 41205 Oyam Minakulu 18299 19754 38053 Oyam Myene 13263 13868 27131 Table 2-3- Project site 2 District Sub-county (2014) Males Females Population Buhweju Bihanga 7164 7337 14501 Buhweju Burere 9661 10006 19667 Buhweju Engaju 9405 10068 19473 Bushenyi Bitooma 6610 6900 13510 Bushenyi Kyamuhunga 17733 18233 35966 Ibanda Kicuzi 7908 8474 16382 Kamwenge Buhanda 11775 12759 24534 Kamwenge Kahunge 17703 19098 36801 30 Kamwenge Kamwenge 10918 12039 22957 Kamwenge Kamwenge TC 9514 9726 19240 Kamwenge Kanara 6640 7135 13775 Kamwenge Kicheche 13023 13860 26883 Kamwenge Mahyoro 14566 14700 29266 Kamwenge Ntara 14028 15135 29163 Kamwenge Nyabbani 10526 11442 21968 Kanungu Kihiihi 8656 9218 17874 Kanungu Nyamirama 9123 9872 18995 Kasese Central 41107 38682 79789 Kasese Karusandara 5975 5915 11890 Kasese Katwe-Kabatoro 3297 3114 6411 Kasese Kisinga 19346 21285 40631 Kasese Lake Katwe 11881 11678 23559 Kasese Muhokya 9607 9924 19531 Kasese Mukunyu 15102 16752 31854 Kasese Nyakatonzi 14746 16090 30836 Kasese Nyakiyumbu 2595 2425 5020 Kasese Nyamwamba 26865 29944 56809 Mitooma Bitereko 13065 14822 27887 Mitooma Kiyanga 9721 10638 20359 Rubirizi Katanda 9010 9944 18954 Rubirizi Katerera 4901 5490 10391 Rubirizi Katerera TC 4419 4782 9201 Rubirizi Katunguru 2325 1684 4009 Rubirizi Kicwamba 17591 17509 35100 Rubirizi Kirugu 5418 5903 11321 Rubirizi Kyabakara 6053 6583 12636 Rubirizi Magambo 5491 6016 11507 Rubirizi Rubirizi 3790 4350 8140 Rubirizi Rutoto 6069 7074 13143 Rubirizi Ryeru 6113 7179 13292 Rukungiri Bwambara 15416 15995 31411 2.7.2 Education and literacy Literacy rates among youth aged 15 to 24 and from 24 years and above is the test of an educational system, and the overall trend in the Uganda and the project area is positive, owing largely to the expansion of educational opportunities within the country. The literacy rates show that 70 percent of Uganda’s population was literate, with males having higher literacy rates than females. However, the literate population is unevenly distributed among district as shown Figure 2-4. 31 Figure 2-4: Literacy levels in Uganda 2.7.3 Economic activities 2.7.4 Agriculture The economy of Uganda is primarily based on the agricultural sector, with over 70 percent (UBOS, 2014) of the working population being employed by the sector. Agricultural exports account for over 45 percent of the total export earnings with coffee, tobacco and fish continuing to be the main export commodities that bring in foreign exchange. In the project area/districts, major food crops grown include cereal crops such as; maize, finger millet, sorghum, rice, pearl millet and wheat in that order of importance. Other than wheat, these crops provide staple food for well over 50% of the population7. Maize is grown in most parts of Uganda but most intensely in western in (Masindi, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kabarole whole wheat is also grown in Nebbi albeit in small quantities. Cash crops include coffee, cotton and sugar cane. Fruits and vegetables include tomatoes, paw paws, avocados, mangoes, oranges, limes, onions and cabbages. 7 http://www.yieldgap.org/uganda 32 2.7.5 Farming systems The country has eleven farming systems which are related to climatic differences, relief variation, and socioeconomic characteristics. The Farming systems in Uganda are presented in the figure below. Annual cropping and cattle systems are mainly found in the northern part of Uganda and coffee and banana systems are mainly found in southern Uganda. Figure 2-5: Farming systems in Uganda 2.7.6 Settlement Patterns Patterns of population distribution have been changing in Uganda in the recent past, leading to the formation of urban and peri-urban areas. Factors influencing these changes include: internal social strife, geographical distribution of resources, emergence of settlements, increased in-migration of people into forest reserves and rangelands and appropriation protected areas such as wetlands for settlement and other economic activities such as fishing, mining and the like. Consequently, due to the combined effects of the above factors, the current settlement patterns in the country have been realized. Part of this spontaneous and uncontrolled population migration and informal settlement has manifested through the encroachment and settlement on nominally protected areas such as game reserves, forest reserves including swamps and wetlands. Notably, the settlement patterns have taken two distinct forms: first by families who had traditionally settled in the areas around these reserves and merely expanded their farming operations and other economic activities such as sand mining and artisanal fishing. Secondly by families who have migrated for settlement from areas of severe land shortage into the reserves, which they perhaps viewed as unoccupied and apparently available land. 2.7.7 HIV/AIDs prevalence The prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 64 in Uganda is 6.2%: 7.6% among females and 4.7% among males. This corresponds to approximately 1.2 million people aged 15 to 64 living with HIV in Uganda. HIV prevalence is higher among women living in urban areas (9.8%) than those in rural areas (6. 7%). According to UPHA, (2017), 33 HIV prevalence peaks at 14.0% among men aged 45 to 49 and 12.9% among women aged 35 to 39. Among young adults, there is a disparity in HIV prevalence by sex. HIV prevalence is almost four times higher among females than males aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24. HIV prevalence is nearly three times higher in men and women aged 20-24 compared to those aged 15-19. According to the recent 2017 prevalence rates, central and south western Uganda regions had the highest prevalence level at 8% and (7.9%). Although community labour is going to be used, the Project should be cognizant of the propensity of projects to trigger the spread HIV/AIDs as workers tend to interact each other, this might result into sexual relations which can potentially trigger the risk of spreading HIV. Figure 2-6: HIV/AIDs prevalence by region 2.7.8 Prevalence of child labour in Uganda Children around the world are routinely engaged in paid and unpaid forms of work that are not harmful to them. However, they are classified as child labourers when they are either too young to work or are involved in hazardous activities that may compromise their physical, mental, social or educational development. In the least developed countries, slightly more than one in four children (ages 5 to 17) are engaged in labour that is considered detrimental to their health and development. According to the UNICEF 2019, the prevalence of child labour is at 18% for males and 17% for females. 34 2.7.9 Land Management The Land Act set up an ambitious structure of decentralized land management institutions providing for the establishment of District Land Boards, District Land Offices and Registries, Sub County Area Land Committees and District Land Tribunals. However, despite land being a social economic growth engine, the land management and administration in Uganda is still a major challenge owing largely to the multiple land tenure systems which limit land use planning and utilization. More so, despite the systems in place management of protected areas remains relegated to few institutions which face significant challenges in enforcement. This is reflected by the reclaiming of over 7% of original wetlands as of 2005. This has been further exacerbated by human activity around these protected areas where 80% of the population are involved in agricultural activities such as livestock keeping that entails grazing of animals and crop farming. 2.7.10 Land Holding and Tenure System Uganda’s formal land tenure system was initially established by the British during that country’s colonial time. Since independence (1962), Uganda has reformed its formal legislation regarding property rights several times. The most recent is the 1998 Land Act. In addition to modifications in formal law, other processes have influenced land tenure systems. The Land Act principally addresses four issues namely; holding, control, management and land disputes. As regards tenure, the Act repeats, in Section 3, provisions of Article 237 of the Constitution which vests all land in the citizens of Uganda, to be held under customary, freehold, mailo8 or leasehold tenure systems. However, the Land Act provides for acquisition of land or rights to use land for execution of public works. Land holding in Central Uganda is predominantly Mailo mainly inhabited by smallholders under customary and in other parts of Uganda the land tenure is predominantly customary and freehold. 2.7.11 Culture and religion Uganda’s population is made up of different ethnic groups with varying customs and norms. These play a major role in shaping the behaviours and ways of life of the people in the country. Some of the traditional values have changed due to the integration of the people as a result of migration and/or intermarriages. The cultural groupings, such as, Baganda, Basoga, Batoro, Banyoro, Itesoit, etc., are headed by traditional kings or chiefs who are not politically elected but have an indirect role in community governance and moral build up. There are a number of languages spoken because of the many tribes in Uganda; however, English is the official language. Similarly, the project area has a variation of tribes that include the Banyankole, Bakiga, Bakonjo among other tribes. 3 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK This section summarizes applicable policy, legal and administrative framework within which, this ESMF has been prepared. Both the World Bank ESSs and the relevant GoU legislation are summarized although there still exist 8 The Mailo Land Tenure System is where land is registered and owned in eternity or perpetuity with its holder having a land title for it. This land tenure in Uganda has its basis from the allocation of land pursuant to the 1900 Uganda Agreement, subject to legislative qualifications. Land in Uganda held under mailo tenure is mainly confined to the Central region of Uganda. The system confers freehold granted by the colonial government in exchange for political co-operation under the 1900 Buganda Agreement. 35 some gaps between the two. According to Uganda’s Country Environment and Social Systems Analysis Report, several major legal, policy, and institutional reforms are currently underway to address these gaps. When these reforms are complete, the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks governing environment and social risk management in Uganda will have been comprehensively transformed. 3.1 THE POLICY FRAMEWORK 3.1.1 The National Environment Management Policy-NEMP, 1994 The key objective of the policy (NEMP), is enhancement of the health, quality of life and promotion of long-term, sustainable socio-economic development through sound environmental and natural resource management and optimizing resource use. Relevance: This policy is relevant to the Project as it requires that an ESIA is conducted prior to development. 3.1.2 Forest Policy, 2001 The Forest Policy puts an emphasis on the ecological and socio-economic importance of protecting the country’s forest resources and promotion of forest regeneration strategies. Implementation of the Policy is a responsibility of the National Forestry Authority (NFA), which also provides guidelines for management of forest reserves, community forests and private forests. The Forest Policy entails provisions for safeguard and conservation of forests so as to ensure sufficient supplies of forest products, protect water resources, soils, fauna and flora. The policy also mandates government with responsibility to control illegal practices, monitor best practice, measure environmental and social impacts. Relevance: This policy potentially has relevance to the Project in that it includes provisions for the protection of forested areas in important watershed areas. 3.1.3 National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetland Resources, 1995 The Policy has established principles by which wetlands resources can be optimally used and their productivity maintained in the future to curtail existing unsustainable exploitative practices in wetlands. All proposed modifications and restorations on wetlands shall be subject to an ESIA, the result of which shall determine whether such restoration or modification shall proceed and if so to what extent. The Project shall have measures for controlling degradation of wetlands and their siltation. Relevance: This policy is relevant to the Project in case the proposed project traverses any wetland. 3.1.4 The National HIV/AIDS Policy, 2004 The policy provides the principles and a framework for a multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS in Ugandan’s workplace. The policy applies to all current and prospective employees and workers, including applicants for work, within the public and private sectors. It also applies to all aspects of work, both formal and informal. The Project implementation will comply with the policy requirements. 36 Relevance: This policy is relevant to the project if implementation of proposed project results in in-migration into project communities by people seeking construction jobs and possibly sexual fraternization associated with HIV/AIDS risk. 3.1.5 The National Cultural Policy, 2006 The National Culture Policy, 2006 complements, promotes, and strengthens the overall development goals of the country. Its specific objectives include amongst others, the need to promote and strengthen Uganda’s diverse cultural identities and to conserve, protect, and promote Uganda’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This ESMF outlines how the project will take cognizance of and avoid impacts on cultural heritage during implementation of project activities. In addition, Chance Finds Procedures (attached in Annex 5 are included in case tangible cultural heritage / artefacts are unexpectedly encountered during implementation of project activities such as excavation, earthworks, to ensure their protection and conservation. 3.1.6 The Occupational Health and Safety Policy, 2006 This policy will be especially relevant for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) of the workers and the public in the implementation of the Project components. Its focus is on safety and wellbeing of workers in work environment. These are all important considerations in the Project implementation and operations in particular during development of small-scale infrastructure and grading of tracks and trails in protected areas. Relevance: This policy will be especially relevant for OHS of the project activities. This also will have relevance in mitigation measures that protect the public from health and safety impacts. 3.1.7 The Uganda Gender Policy, 2007 The Uganda Gender Policy is an integral part of the national development policies. It is a framework for redressing gender imbalances as well as a guide to all development practitioners. The aim of this policy is to guide all levels of planning, resource allocation and implementation of development programs with a gender perspective. The emphasis on gender is based on the recognition that "gender" is a development concept useful in identifying and understanding the social roles and relations of women and men of all ages, and how these impact on development. Relevance: This policy would especially apply to recruitment of labour during the project implementation where women should have equal opportunity as men for available jobs. This policy also requires provision of a work environment that is conducive to women as well as for men in addition to gender-disaggregated impacts and vulnerabilities. 3.1.8 The National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence (GBV) Findings on the National Situation Gender Based Violence Analysis (2010) revealed that, Uganda has much Gender Based Violence which afflicts both females and males. The findings further indicated that, GBV issues in Uganda originate from institutionalized male dominance as opposed to female subordination, leading to unequal power distribution in the home and the society plus resultant GBV violations based on male dominance and male superiority tendencies. Therefore, the Action Plan on Gender Based Violence has specific actions that operationalize the Uganda National GBV Policy (2011-2015) through: • Reducing rates of GBV incidences reported by GBV Intervening stakeholders; 37 • Reducing rates of GBV in the Uganda households, institutions and communities due to increased female Empowerment and decreased subordination tendencies; • Decreasing the influence of harmful and negative traditional values and beliefs at all levels; • Decreasing root causes of GBV incidences, more specifically patriarchy/male dominance tendencies in the Uganda society; • increasing male involvement and participation in curbing GBV incidences at the household, institutional and community levels; • increasing coordination and collaboration networks on GBV interventions; and • increasing capacities for effective intervention provision by the GBV stakeholders. Both males and females need to be given opportunities during planning and implementation, to ensure that no or minimum impacts arises due to Project implementation. 3.2 National Legal Framework 3.2.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 The right to a clean and healthy environment is enshrined in Article 39 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 as well as integration of people in the development process. In particular, the Constitution guarantees a range of basic human rights to the people of Uganda which include: gender balance and fair representation of marginalized groups in development process; protection of the aged; the right to development; access to clean and healthy Environment to mention a few. These are some of the fundamental socio-economic aspects which are key for sustainability of humankind and the sustainability of the planned Project to focus its interventions on protection of forests and other protected areas without compromising with the constitutional obligations in the laws of Uganda. 3.2.2 The National Environment Act, 2019 Part V of the Act talks about the Management of the Green Environment such as special conservation areas, wetlands, conservation of Biological Diversity areas such as Conservation of biological resources in situ, Conservation of biological resources ex situ, management of genetically modified organisms, management of forests, management of rangelands, protection of cultural and natural heritage, management of climate change impacts on ecosystems, etc. This ESMF therefore has been prepared taking into consideration of this Act. Relevance: This Act is relevant to the Project as it will have environmental and Social impacts that require mitigation. 3.2.3 National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2003 is the main law that regulates and controls forest management in Uganda by ensuring forest conservation, sustainable use and enhancement of the productive capacity of forests, to provide for the promotion of tree planting and through the creation of forest reserves in which human activities are strictly controlled. Specifically, the Act will provide guidance for afforestation and other tree nursery activities under the Project. Relevance: This Act has relevance to the Project as this guides all forestry-related activities in Uganda, especially those undertaken within protected forest areas. 38 3.2.4 The Land Act, Cap 227 The Acts provides for the tenure, ownership and management of land. It recognizes four tenure systems, i.e. Customary, Mailo, Freehold and Leasehold tenure systems. Section 34 provides that a person who owns land should utilize it in accordance with governing environment and forestry sectors. Section 44 (1) of the act provides the need to control environmentally sensitive areas including natural lakes, rivers, ground water, natural ponds, natural streams, wetlands, forest reserves, national parks and any other land reserved for ecological and touristic purposes. Section 44 (2) further stipulates that the local government may, upon request to the Government, be allowed to hold any of the resources referred to in subsection (1). The Act and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda all vest land ownership in Uganda to the hands of Ugandans and guide matters of land acquisition for development Project through compensation which must be fair, timely and adequate. There will be no land acquisition financed under the project. 3.2.5 The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006 The Act provides for the prevention and protection of persons at all workplaces from injuries, diseases, death and damage to property. The key provision of this Act is safety and welfare of workers which is consistent with a range of safeguards policies such as ILO Core Labour Standards. The ESMF provides for provision of safety wear for workers during implementation of project activities especially for public works among other activities as well as PPE use during activities as per COVID protocols. Relevance: This Act is relevant to the project since workers will be required to use PPE during the activities in line with COVID-19 SOPs. The Act also governs all OSH requirements applicable to the project. 3.2.6 The Employment Act, 2006 This Act spells out general principles regarding forced labor, discrimination in employment, sexual harassment and provisions to settle grievances. It further provides that, a child under the age of twelve years shall not be employed in any business, undertaking or workplace. The Project implementers are required to not engage any child workers at the Project site during the Project lifecycle and to also ensure that there is no forced labor under the Project. Relevance: This Act will regulate labour conditions for the project activities both during its implementation and operation 3.2.7 Local Government (Amendments) Act 2010 An Act to amend, consolidate and streamline the existing law on local governments in line with the Constitution to give effect to the decentralization and devolution of functions, powers and services; to provide for decentralization at all levels of local governments to ensure good governance and democratic participation in, and control of, decision making by the people; to provide for revenue and the political and administrative setup of local governments; and to provide for election of local councils and for any other matters connected to the above. At district, sub-county and parish level the Project will be fully mainstreamed into existing structures. Relevance: This Act is relevant to the Project as all District Local Governments traversed by project activities will be stakeholders and will have jurisdiction over implementation of the Project. 39 3.2.8 The Plant Protection Act (Cap 31) The Act provides for the prevention of the introduction and spread of disease destructive to plants. Section 4(i) states “Every occupier or, in the absence of the occupier, every owner of land shall take all measures as he or she may be required to take by virtue of any rules made under section 3 and, in addition, such other measures as are reasonably necessary for the eradication, reduction or prevention of the spread of any pest or disease which an inspector may by notice in writing order him or her to take, including the destruction of plants. The services governed under this Act are implemented by MAAIF through the respective DAOs at the district level 3.2.9 Historical Monument Act, 1967 The Act provides for the preservation and protection of historical monuments and objects of archaeological, paleontological, ethnographical and traditional interest. Section 10(2) requires that any person who discovers any such object takes such measures as may be reasonable for its protection. The Project will adopt the Chance Finds Procedures in addressing possible encounters of any archaeological resources during Project implementation (Annex 5). Relevance: All reasonable measures will need to be taken to ensure that the integrity of any historical monuments and objects of archaeological, paleontological, ethnographical and traditional interest along the project area is not affected by the implementation of the project. 3.2.10 The Wildlife Act (2019) The purpose of the Act is to provide for the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife; to strengthen wildlife conservation and management; to continue the existence of the Uganda Wildlife Authority; to streamline the roles and responsibilities of institutions involved in wildlife conservation and management and ensure that both humans and animals have the space they need is possible. Protecting key areas for wildlife, creating buffer zones and investing in alternative land uses are proposed as some of the solutions to human-wildlife conflicts. Relevance: The Act needs to be considered when implementing projects in the Wildlife Areas. 3.3 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT REGULATIONS 3.3.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 1998 The procedures for conducting EIAs are stipulated in the EIA Regulations. The Regulations require environmental assessments to be conducted to determine possible environmental impacts, and measures to mitigate such impacts. At the end of the study, the environmental assessment report is submitted to NEMA to take a decision as to whether to approve or reject the Project. The Guidelines also stipulate that the ESIA process will be participatory, that is the public will be consulted widely to inform them and get their views about the proposed Project which in this case, has been undertaken to capture views of stakeholders for inclusion in the ESMF. The environmental screening guidelines for project activities’ will be developed and their use monitored by implementing agencies, with support and guidance from a dedicated environmental and social specialist who will be contracted into the Project Coordination Unit. 40 3.3.2 The National Environment (Audit) Regulations, 2006 (12/2006) The Audit Regulations apply to environmental audits under the Environment Act, environmental audits under the ESIA regulations, voluntary environmental audits by the owner and any other audits as may be required or prescribed [Regulation 3]. Financial management requirements for this project provide for the compliance annual audits of the Project during implementation. 3.3.3 The National Environment (Wetlands, Riverbanks and Lakeshores Management) Regulations, 2000 This regulation consisting of 4 Parts, describes management policy and directions for important wetlands, riverbank and lakeshore areas that exist in Uganda. Any development Projects, within those registered areas need ESIA studies and permission to be granted by NEMA in accordance with Regulation 34 of this law depending on nature of the Project to be implemented. The Project will ensure that any project activities to be established along riverbanks or in wetlands comply with the above regulations. 3.3.4 The National Environment Regulations (Noise Standards and Control), 2003 The National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2003 Section 7 of these regulations requires that no person shall emit noise in excess of permissible noise levels, unless permitted by a license issued under these Regulations. Section 8 imparts responsibility onto the owner of a facility to use the best practicable means to ensure that noise do not exceed permissible noise levels. The Project is obliged to observe these Regulations by monitoring mitigation measures as they shall be proposed in the project activities to minimize noise. Monitoring shall be done by implementing agencies, with support and guidance from a dedicated environmental and social specialist who will be contracted into the Project Coordination Unit. 3.3.5 National Population Council Act 2014 The National Population Council is a government agency that was established by an Act of Parliament in 2014 to coordinate the implementation of the National Population Policy and Population Programme, and to advocate for the integration of population factors in development planning in accordance with the agreed framework under the National Development Plan. The Council shall, to the greatest extent possible, cooperate with Government, line Ministries, Local Governments, institutions and civil society organisations in carrying out its functions under this Act. 3.4 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK This section outlines relevant institutions and authorities that shall be involved in specific Project implementation depending on the nature of the Project as detailed in Table 3-1 below. Table 3-1: Institutions with their respective responsibilities in Project implementation Institution Roles in the Project Remarks NFA • Implement forestry activities in and around NFA leads activities within CFRs. central forest reserves Responsible for implementation of activities in • Monitors and reports on activities components that fall under NFA mandate. UWA • Implement national parks and wildlife Responsible for implementation of activities in 41 Institution Roles in the Project Remarks reserves activities and around NPs and wildlife reserves in • Monitors and reports on activities components that fall under UWA mandate. Local • Supporting in supervision, advisory, Work in close cooperation with other Government coordination and planning of Project agencies on issues of: grievance, training, Level (District, relevant activities reviews, integration/mainstreaming of gender, Sub-Count, • Liaise with the agencies on Project ethnic minority and marginalized group and Parish and LCI) implementation progress reporting and communication. • Providing technical personnel for review Lead in activities supporting local forest and assessing compliance, learning reserves, forest outside protected areas, lessons, and improving future of Project erosion control measures and household • Handle issues and supervise issues of energy interventions. integration/mainstreaming of gender, ethnic minority and marginalized group involvement in all Project activities Collaborative • Review, re-negotiation, and signing of The project will work through established Forest expired CFM agreements using the same community groups under the Collaborative Management terms as in the previously negotiated Forest Management (CFM) and Collaborative Groups (CFM) agreements (with approximately 10 groups Resource Management (CFM) arrangements around Bugoma, Kasyoha-Kitomi, and under NFA and UWA respectively. Budongo CFRs). • Support to development of bee-based value chain within 10 CFM groups, including provision of inputs and training of the communities on bee keeping, value addition, and business skills. • Support to communities for establishment of commercial tree nurseries, using mixed tree and fruit species (10 CFM groups). • Promotion and support to craft making projects among women groups, including training of women groups on craft making and business skills and provision them with craft inputs. Collaborative • Support established CRM groups with Will support overall project management and Resource alternative wood and nutritional monitoring, environmental and social risk Management requirements, through establishment of management, financial management and Groups (CRM) mixed tree and fruit nursery in each PA for procurement, including cost of field free seedling distribution and provision of supervision by UWA and NFA headquarters inputs and training on rabbit farming; staff. • Training of approximately five CRM groups in honey packaging and marketing from each PA. 42 Institution Roles in the Project Remarks • Training of approximately two CRM groups from each PA in wood craft designs and market dynamics. • Training of 20 CRM group members from each PA in income generating practical skills like soap and candle making. 3.4.1 The World Bank Environment and Social Standards that will be triggered by this project and therefore applicable are summarized in Table 3-2 Table 3-2: Summary of how the planned project activities trigger WB ESSs Environmental and Social Triggered/Not Remarks Standard Triggered ESS1 Assessment and Triggered Assessment and management of Environmental and Social Management of Environmental risks and impacts. This Project will create Environment and and Social Risks Social risks considering the baseline Environment and Social fabrics that will be affected directly and indirectly. Mitigation measures will be proposed for both Environment Impacts that will be caused ESS2 Labor and Working Triggered Since the project involves some civil works and use of Conditions community based labour, it recognizes the importance of employment creation and income generation in the pursuit of poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth. Therefore, the Borrowers are expected to promote sound worker- management relationships and enhance the development benefits of a project by treating workers in the project fairly and providing safe and healthy working conditions. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Triggered Implementation activities such as civil works will contribute Pollution Prevention and to both dust, and air pollution although minimal. This project Management through ESMP will take efforts to determine the baseline levels of the Environment for purposes of monitoring through the project life cycle. ESS4 Community Health and Triggered The project should addresses the health, safety, and Safety security risks and impacts on project-affected communities and the corresponding responsibility of Borrowers to avoid or minimize such risks impacts, with particular attention to people who, because of their particular circumstances, may be vulnerable 43 Environmental and Social Triggered/Not Remarks Standard Triggered ESS5: Land Acquisition, Not Triggered There will be no Land acquisition Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement ESS6 Bio diversity Conservation Triggered The project impact on the vegetation cleared during and Sustainable Management of implementation will affect habitats for biodiversity. In respect Living Natural Resources to theESS6 standards, efforts will be taken to protect and conserve biodiversity and their habitats. Mitigation measures to promote sustainable development will be proposed for implementation during project construction and implementation phases through the Environment and Social Impact Statement. ESS7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub- Not triggered No known Indigenous Peoples exist in the project area. Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities ESS8 Cultural Heritage Triggered A systematic procedure for protection and treatment of discovered artefacts during project implementation will be taken according to the Ugandan cultural and national requirements, and an adequate provision for handling of chance finds will be included in all contracts for civil works Workers will be instructed to remain vigilant during excavation works, identify chance finds immediately and alert the site foreman. ESS9: Financial Intermediaries Not triggered This ESS is not triggered because the project works do not involve FIs ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement Triggered The project will have an effective stakeholder engagement and Information Disclosure among all the relevant stakeholders in order to improve the environmental and social sustainability of projects, enhance project acceptance, and make a significant contribution to successful project design and implementation. 3.5 International Environmental And Social Instruments Conventions Or Treaties Ratified By Uganda Uganda is a signatory to several international instruments on environmental management. These are summarized in Table 3-3 below. Table 3-3: International Laws and Conventions/Obligations applicable to Uganda Convention Objective The African Convention on the To encourage individual and joint action for the conservation, utilization Conservation of Nature (1968) and development of soil, water, flora and fauna for the present and future welfare of mankind, from an economic, nutritional, scientific, educational, 44 Convention Objective cultural and aesthetic point of view. The Ramsar Convention (1971) on To stop the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetland now and in wetlands of International Importance the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific and recreational values The Protection of World and Cultural To establish an effective system of collective protection of the cultural Heritage convention (1972) and natural heritage of outstanding universal values The Convention on the International To protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of Trade in Endangered Species of Wild a system of import/export permits Flora and Fauna (CITES 1973) The Convention on the conservation of To protect those species of that migrate across or outside migratory species of wild animals (1979). National boundaries The Vienna Convention for the To protect human health and the environment against adverse effects protection of the Ozone Layer (1985) resulting from modification of the ozone layer Montreal Protocol on Substances that To protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control deplete the Ozone layer (1987) global emissions of substances that depletes it. Convention on Biological Diversity- (CBD To promote diversity and sustainable use and encourage equitable 1992) sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources United Nations Framework Convention To regulate the levels of greenhouse gases concentration in the on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 1992) atmosphere so as to avoid the occurrence of climate change on a level that would impede sustainable economic development, or compromise initiative in food production United Nations Convention to combat To combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries Desertification (UNCCD, 1994) experiencing serious drought and or desertification 3.6 World Bank Environmental and Social Framework Projects financed by the World Bank need to comply with the requirements of the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) contained in the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). Key provisions of the ESSs relevant to this project are summarized in table Table 3-4 Key provisions of relevant ESSs ESS Scope/Objective Description of ESS ESS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts - identify, evaluate and manage the environment and The standard provides guidance on assessing the social risks and impacts of the project in a manner Project’s potential environmental and social risks and consistent with the ESSs. impacts and addressing potential impacts through - To adopt a mitigation hierarchy approach to: planning and mitigation hierarchy approach. (a) Anticipate and avoid risks and impacts (b) Where avoidance is not possible, minimize or reduce risks and impacts to acceptable levels; (c) Once risks and impacts have been minimized or reduced, mitigate; and (d) Where significant residual impacts remain, 45 compensate for or offset them, where technically and financially feasible. ESS2: Labour and Working Conditions ESS2 promotes the fair treatment, non-discrimination - To promote safety and health at work, fair treatment, non-discrimination and equal opportunity of project and provision of equal opportunities for workers workers including vulnerable workers such as engaged on projects it supports. It strongly encourages women, persons with disabilities, children protection of all project workers, including vulnerable - To prevent the use of all forms of forced labor and groups such as women, persons with disabilities, child labor. • To support the principles of freedom ofchildren (of working age) and migrant workers, association and collective bargaining of project contracted workers and primary supply workers, as workers in a manner consistent with national law. • appropriate. It provides certain requirements that the To provide project workers with accessible means to project must meet in terms of working conditions, raise workplace concerns. protection of the work force (especially the prevention of all forms of forced and child labour), and provision of a grievance mechanism that addresses concerns on the project promptly and uses a transparent process that provides timely feedback to those concerned. ESS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management To achieve the sustainable use of resources, The ESS3 provides requirements for projects to achieve including energy, water and raw materials, as well as the sustainable use of resources, including energy, implement measures that avoids or reduces pollution water and raw materials, as well as implement resulting from project activities and to minimize and measures that avoids or reduces pollution resulting from manage the risks and impacts associated with project activities. The standard places specific pesticide use. consideration on hazardous wastes or materials and air emissions (climate pollutants) given that the current and projected atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) threatens the welfare of present and future lives. ESS4: Community Health and Safety - To anticipate and avoid adverse impacts on the This standard recognizes that project activities, project health and safety of project affected communities equipment and infrastructure increase the exposure of during the project life-cycle from both routine and project stakeholder communities to various health, nonroutine circumstances. safety and security risks and impacts and thus - To promote quality and safety, and considerations recommends that projects implement measures that relating to climate change, in the design and avoids or limits the occurrence of such risks. It provides construction of infrastructure, including dams. further requirements or guidelines on managing safety, - To ensure that safeguarding of personnel and including the need for projects to undertake safety property is carried out in a manner that avoids or assessment for each phase of the project, monitor minimizes risks to the project-affected communities. incidents and accidents and preparing regular reports on such monitoring. ESS4 also provides guidance on emergency preparedness and response. ESS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources - To protect and conserve biodiversity and habitats. • ESS6 promotes the conservation of biodiversity or To apply the mitigation hierarchy and the natural habitats. and supports the protection and precautionary approach in the design and maintenance of the core ecological functions of natural implementation of projects that could have an impact habitats and the biodiversity they support. on biodiversity. It also encourages projects to incorporate into their - To promote the sustainable management of living development, environmental and social strategies that 46 natural resources. address any major natural habitat issues, including - To support livelihoods of local communities, identification of important natural habitat sites, the including Indigenous Peoples, and inclusive ecological functions they perform, the degree of threat economic development, through the adoption of to the sites, and priorities for conservation. practices that integrate conservation needs and development priorities. ESS8: Cultural Heritage - To protect cultural heritage from the adverse This standard sets out general provisions on cultural impacts of project activities and support its heritage preservation and recommends protecting preservation. cultural heritage from the adverse impacts of project - To address cultural heritage as an integral aspect of activities. It addresses physical or tangible cultural sustainable development. resources, which are defined as movable or immovable - To promote meaningful consultation with objects, sites, structures, groups of structures, and stakeholders regarding cultural heritage. natural features and landscapes that have - To promote the equitable sharing of benefits from archaeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, the use of cultural heritage. religious, aesthetic, or other cultural significance. Physical cultural resources may be in urban or rural settings, and may be above or below ground, or underwater. It also addresses intangible cultural heritage such as practices, representations, expressions, instruments, objects and cultural spaces that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Projects involving significant excavations, demolition, movement of earth, flooding, or other environmental changes are to take cognizance of this standard in the ESMF. ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure - To establish a systematic approach to stakeholder ESS10 seeks to encourage open and transparent engagement that will help Borrowers identify engagement between the Borrower and the project stakeholders and build and maintain a constructive stakeholders project-affected parties) throughout the relationship with them, in particular project-affected project life cycle. The standard establishes a systematic parties. To assess the level of stakeholder interest approach to stakeholder engagement that potentially and support for the project and to enable helps the Borrower to identify stakeholders and build stakeholders’ views to be taken into account in and maintain a constructive relationship with them, as project design and environmental and social well as disclose information on the environmental and performance social risks and impacts to stakeholders in a timely, - To promote and provide means for effective and understandable, accessible and appropriate manner and inclusive engagement with project-affected parties format. It recommends that stakeholder engagements throughout the project life-cycle on issues that could are commenced as early as possible in the project potentially affect them. development process and continued throughout the - To ensure that appropriate project information on lifecycle of the Project. This allows for stakeholders’ environmental and social risks and impacts is views to be considered in the project design and disclosed to stakeholders in a timely, environmental and social performance. The Borrower is understandable, accessible and appropriate manner also expected to implement a grievance mechanism to and format. receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and - To provide project-affected parties with accessible grievances. and inclusive means to raise issues and grievances, and allow Borrowers to respond to and manage such grievances. 47 Table 3-5 Comparison of Uganda’s national system for handling E&S risks and World Bank ESF World Bank ESS National Legal Gaps identified in the How the gaps have provisions Instruments two been addressed (if provisions applicable ESS 1: Assessment and Constitution (1995) Component 1 under By preparing the ESMF, Management of requires GOU to ensure project is likely generate the gap that exists for the Environmental & Social environmental protection environmental and social projects whose activities Risks and Impacts & provides Ugandans a risks and impacts. Social and locations are not right to clean & healthy risks and impacts may known is bridged environment. arise from influx of labor National Environment for potential employment Management Policy during refurbishment (1994) calls for activities, the risk of sustainable development spreading HIV/AIDS and that maintains and COVID-19 among project enhances environmental workers and local quality & resources to communities, potential for meet needs of present & gender based violence future generations. (GBV), impact on indigenous peoples and local communities, and inadequate grievance redress mechanism (GRM). These activities detail the need to conduct environmental and social assessment to determine the specific risks and impacts, and measures to mitigate them consequently triggering the ESS1. ESS 2: Labor and National Industrial Policy There is still no policy to The project has followed Working Conditions 2008 provides strategies guide its implementation ESS2 and developed for OHS. of the Occupational Safety labour management Workers Compensation and Health Act (2006). procedures with relevant Act, 2000 provides for the This, along with the poor provisions to bridge the provision of financial staffing and funding of gap. compensation for work MoGLSD, has left many related injury or illness. workers in unsafe working Occupational Safety and conditions. Health Act of 2006 consolidates, harmonizes and updates the law relating to occupational 48 World Bank ESS National Legal Gaps identified in the How the gaps have provisions Instruments two been addressed (if provisions applicable safety and health. ESS 3: Pollution Environment Management Pollution remains a The project will follow Prevention and Resource Act (1996) Environmental significant problem provisions of ESS3 on Efficiency Management (Waste throughout Uganda (air, resource efficiency in its Management and soil, water and noise). As activities to ensure Sanitation) Regulations with most other compliance with the (2008) safeguards, adherence to requirements. best practice is relatively NEA 2019, Section 5 (d) good for bank or donor includes the principle that funded projects, and there shall be “optimum those of stock-exchange sustainable yield in the listed companies, but poor use of renewable natural when it comes to smaller resources� proponents, many 2011 EIA Guidelines for government projects and water resources related where contractors from projects assist planners, some countries are developers, practitioners involved. safeguarding water resources through EIAs. ESS 4: Community Health Occupational Safety and Health and safety issues The project has included and Safety) Safety, Health Act, No 9 of 2006 are generally taken care identification of Health, and and the Workers of in World Bank and community health and Environmental issues are safety risks and mitigation Compensation Act, No 8 donor funded projects, but included in the measures in its Occupational of 2000. less so otherwise environmental and social screening process and the labour management procedures ESS 6: Biodiversity Environment Management Implementation is variable Mitigation hierarchy is Conservation & Act (1996) Parks and – good in the case of explicitly required by the Sustainable Management Wildlife Act (1997) donor or Bank funded NEA (2019) (section 5.2(j) of Living Natural National Biodiversity projects, but modest to and further elaborated Resources Strategic Action Plan poor otherwise. (section 115) - (avoid, Even though screening of minimize, restore, offsets) projects is undertaken by NEMA at an early stage to identify potential biodiverse areas, political interference puts certain natural habitats at risk especially wetlands and forests. ESS 10: Stakeholder When consultations are Gap - There are no The project has followed Engagement & held, explanations must explicit provisions for ESS5 and developed SEP Information Disclosure be given in a form, consultations and procedures with relevant manner and language disclosure provisions to bridge the 49 World Bank ESS National Legal Gaps identified in the How the gaps have provisions Instruments two been addressed (if provisions applicable understandable to gap. affected people 50 3.7 WORLD BANK POLICY ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Under ESS10 – Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure - the Bank sets out the need to ensure that appropriate project information on environment and social risks and impacts is disclosed to stakeholders in a timely, understandable, accessible, and appropriate manner and format. In addition, it recommends the Borrower to maintain and disclose as part of the environmental and social assessment, a documented record of stakeholder engagement consulted, a summary of feedback received and a brief explanation of how the feedback was considered or reasons why it was not. The Borrower (MWE) will, therefore, need to disclose the relevant documents and instruments at key stages, such as prior to appraisal, prior to: Environmental and social guiding documents that will be disclosed include: (1) This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) (2) Stakeholder Engagement Framework (SEP); (3) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP); (4) Labor Management Plan (LMP) For the present ESMF document, information disclosure was initiated with the stakeholder consultations and public meetings held in selected Project sites and Ministries or Agencies The meetings provided an opportunity for stakeholders to provide comments and useful inputs to be taken into consideration when planning and implementing the proposed Project. Once completed, the NFA and UWA shall ensure the availability of the full ESMF in their Public Library and Website, including websites and offices of NEMA, NFA, UWA and participating Districts; for public access. 4 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND DISCLOSURE 4.1 Overview ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure recognizes the importance of open and transparent engagement with project stakeholders. Success of any project depends on the level and quality of stakeholder engagement, which is to be an inclusive process expected to occur throughout the project life cycle. Engagement is more useful when introduced in the early phases of project development and is mainstreamed into all levels of decision-making. To this end, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared and will be disclosed as part of the environmental and social safeguards documents for the proposed Project. 4.2 Objectives of stakeholder consultations The consultations with key stakeholders was carried out to specifically achieve the following objectives to: a) Provide background information of the proposed Project; b) provide opportunities to stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns respectively; c) solicit the stakeholders’ views on the project and discuss their involvement in the various project activities; d) Ensure that stakeholders understand what the development of the ESMF and its associated tools for the for the proposed project in line with the World Bank ESF. e) Discuss potential environmental and social risks and impacts, related to the proposed project 51 f) Capture and document all feedback from stakeholders and responding where appropriate. g) To assess the level of stakeholder interest and support for proposed project and to enable stakeholders’ views to be taken into account in project design and environmental and social performance. h) To understand the technical capacity and gaps of the implementing partners, and implementing agencies in regard to environmental and social safeguards 4.3 Engagement with stakeholders Stakeholder engagement is essential to the proposed project components. The project will establish a structured approach to engagement with stakeholders the three implementing agencies, key relevant statutory government institutions, affected communities, Civil Society Organizations and relevant development partners working in the same field) that is based upon meaningful consultation and disclosure of appropriate information, considering the specific challenges associated with the project. The project community consultation for this component should also focus on awareness raising about the project which will be capturing information regarding sustainable forest management and access to services and benefits from forest and wildlife PAs can help vulnerable communities to better absorb and adapt to the impacts of shocks and stressors, among them, climate change. Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement place a strong emphasis on adaptation to ensure that all people and communities are resilient to climate impacts. The SEP was developed as an instrument for mapping and prioritizing stakeholders across levels and regions; for guiding or managing the planned information disclosure or communication and consultation processes with identified stakeholders during the development of ESMPs, as well as the project implementation. The SEP as a tool also allows for stakeholder consultation as two-way process including managing the feedback process9. . The objectives of the SEP include the following: i. To design stakeholder engagement framework and requirements of the project ii. Describe the legal requirements for consultation and disclosure; iii. Provide an inventory of key stakeholder who are likely to be affected by the project directly or indirectly. iv. Provide summary of all public consultation and information disclosure activities to date v. Propose an effective approach and strategy for meaningful and standardised disclosure of relevant project information vi. Propose an appropriate stakeholder feedback mechanism and a process for receipt and resolution of project grievances; vii. Draft a public consultation and disclosure program and schedules against the different stages of the project; viii. Indicate related budgets and management staffing requirements. 9Meaningful consultation is understood as a two-way process, where stakeholder engagement should meet the following criteria: (a) Begins early in the project planning process to gather initial views on the project proposal and inform project design; (b) Encourages stakeholder feedback, particularly as a way of informing project design and engagement by stakeholders in the identification and mitigation of environmental and social risks and impacts; (c) Continues on an on-going basis, as risks and impacts arise; (d) Is based on the prior disclosure and dissemination of relevant, transparent, objective, meaningful and easily accessible information in a timeframe that enables meaningful consultations with stakeholders in a culturally appropriate format, in relevant local language(s) and is understandable to stakeholders; (e) Considers and responds to feedback; (f) Supports active and inclusive engagement with project-affected parties; (g) and is free of external manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination, and intimidation; and (h) Is documented and disclosed by the Borrower. 52 4.4 Future Consultations 4.4.1 Issues for Consultation The project, its intended objectives, the locations, enhancement mechanisms, its ownership as well as the need of public consultation have to be briefly discussed to the participants as well, so that they can forward their views on the issues of the proposed project. All implementing partners (UWA, NFA, MWE) will have to refine and clearly indicate the issues that have to be pointed out and discussed during public consultations. 4.4.2 Consultation during Mobilization and Sensitization In line with the existing World Bank (March 2020) guidelines in relation to physical meetings, the consultant used online platforms such as Zoom and Email exchanges to conduct extensive, meaningful, and timely consultations with relevant NFA and UWA stakeholders. To ensure that stakeholders have a clear understanding of the purpose for being engaged, an email together with a checklist was sent out to the project liaison personnel for both institutions. This helped the consultant to have an entry point in the organizations were the consultations had to be conducted and to ensure prompt and exhaustive feedback from the stakeholders. 4.4.3 Ongoing Consultations The World Bank also requires that the consultation process is ongoing during the project implementation phase. To this effect, implementing entities will be required to maintain long term and mutually beneficial open dialogue in relation to the project with local authorities and the public through its Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialists and Officers during implementation. A key role of this post consultation will be to ensure that local stakeholders have an opportunity to raise questions, comments or concerns and that all issues raised are answered promptly and accurately. Therefore, disclosure of information will also continue throughout project life cycle. The primary emphasis here will be to assure stakeholders that the environmental and social mitigation, monitoring and management practices established in the ESIA and ESMPs are being implemented and the environmental and social standards and guidelines required by National laws and guideline and the World Bank are being met through a comprehensive monitoring and reporting process. In that regard, the implementing agencies will have to maintain Environment and Social Registers of written records with respect to environmental and social impacts from the planned project activities. In addition, an annual report containing information relating to the monitoring program will be prepared by the implementing agencies and submitted to country environmental regulators, UWA, NFA and the World Bank. 4.4.4 Consultation of Special Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Groups Some of the target beneficiaries might include widows, orphans, people living with HIV/AIDS, female-headed households, child mothers, unskilled and unemployed youth, child head families, persons with disability and could potentially have indigenous people. Consequently, interest in the project will therefore vary among different vulnerable groups (and individuals) in the respective communities where the specialized equipment is going to be installed and may be affected differently. As such, it will be pertinent to keep the variations in interests in mind during the consultation process, and in some cases, it may be more appropriate to consider the needs and views of different vulnerable groups as opposed to the whole community. The consultative and communication strategy has to lay special emphasis on the participation of vulnerable groups where applicable in decision making throughout entire project planning, implementation and 53 evaluation. This is because, consultations require time and an effective system of communication amongst interested parties to ensure that it adequately deals with their needs, priorities, and preferences. This will be best achieved through discussions in focus groups specific to each category. Where participation of certain group of people in community meetings is difficult, due for example to geographical distance or social segregation, other methods such as door-to-door visits, structured and unstructured interviews, separate community meetings or other participatory techniques will be considered. Local languages should be used, and efforts should be made to include all community members. People with disabilities are the world’s poorest of the poor and vulnerable in countries even where the World Bank has invested in a number of development projects. This is because sometimes PWDs are not systematically consulted and therefore excluded in the planning and implementation of projects. In cases where PWDs exist, they will be consulted, particularly those in leadership positions. 4.4.5 Some of the Preliminary Key Stakeholder Concerns and views Consistent with best practice in developing ESMFs, a virtual meeting was held with NFA and UWA on 9th and 10th December respectively. A checklist was developed to have an understanding of the issues regarding the project. The stakeholders raised concerns and key issues related to the proposed project components 54 4.5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19 As a result of mandated social distancing, and in some cases restrictions of movement and large gatherings by WHO and Ministry of Health Uganda and development partners such as IFC, World Bank among others, many projects and their operations have been required to limit activities, including those related to stakeholder engagement, consultation processes linked to new and existing projects. Developing safe and effective COVID-19 stakeholder engagement is an important part of maintaining a proactive communication process and providing communities with information in a timely manner. As such, this project will adopt the following measures to ensure the health and safety of stakeholders while conducting community and key informant engagements. Use of channels and influential social structures Identify existing channels and social structures (for example, through FGDs with community/local leaders, community-based organizations, and women’s cooperatives) in situations where communities or a subset of a community have limited connectivity and access to technology, or where there are literacy issues. The project will utilize existing social structures and identify the preferred communication method(s), the project will disseminate information and engage target audiences while adhering to government directives related to safety, group sizes, and social distancing. Practice good respiratory and hand hygiene. Covid-19 can be passed through sneezing and coughing. Using a tissue or a flexed elbow (not your hands) to cover coughs and sneezes can limit transmission. Hands can transfer Covid-19 if this guidance is not followed. Therefore, to ensure compliance with health guidelines, all stakeholders who come for the meetings will wash their hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizers and especially before and after interacting with others. Physical distancing. Where interactions with communities are required and important, the project will adopt physical distancing measures to avoid inhaling or having other contact with liquid droplets that may contain the virus. These measures include: avoiding body contact, including shaking hands during the community meetings and this will be achieved through maintaining a distance of at least 2m (6 feet) between persons in the meeting by arranging the sitting format with that distance in mind. In case of large gatherings – for this road project, gatherings that have of 10 or more where, consultation meetings will be held in open spaces to lower the risk of transmission. 55 5 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM (GRM) Both NFA and UWA, under their Human Resource Departments, have a dispute handling and resolution mechanism that helps in resolving conflicts wherever they obtain such feedback. In addition, CFM agreements (under the NFA) spell out dispute handling procedures in relation to resource access. Also, under the NFA, CFM committees participate in joint patrols and monitor fuel wood extraction and report fuel wood extraction. Notably, both institutions to ensure expeditious handling of grievances at the community level, through their community conservation Department committees have been established to handle grievances at the field level. However, from the consultations held with UWA and NFA staff the composition and representation in terms of gender, age, level of education, livelihood source, vulnerability of the committees is well defined. Therefore, the project, through the existing structures, the NFA and UWA will need to establish a grievance handling mechanism specific to the project with a clear referral pathway. This will ensure transparency and accountability. In order to ensure the accessibility and effectiveness, the department shall have a clear set of goals and objectives and a well-defined scope for its interventions, especially geographical area coverage. The GRM shall include a set of procedures for receiving, recording, and handling complaints. It has been learned from many years of experience that open dialogue and collaborative grievance resolution simply represent good business practice both in managing social and environmental risk and in furthering Project and community development objectives. In voicing their concerns, they also expect to be heard and taken seriously. Therefore, the NFA and UWA must assure people that they can voice grievances and the Project will work to resolve them without bias. Details of the grievances and how they will be handled in the well elucidated in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. 6 PROJECT POTENTIAL GENERIC RISKS/IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Overall Project implementation is expected to have positive environmental and social impacts such as enhancing prevention of human-wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting protection and forest restoration activities through monitoring and patrolling activities, prevention of human-wildlife as well as employment opportunities for local communities. The project will therefore contribute to improved sustainable management of natural resources, thus increasing benefits to communities from, target protected areas. It is important to identify potential risks early in Project preparation and design, both in terms of the Project’s overall design and of the specific investment activities. Impacts can be divided into positive such as improvements in the local biodiversity, employment and livelihood enhancement among others and negative environmental and social impacts and these depend specifically on the size and nature of Project activities and the environmental and social sensitivities associated with the location of these activities. The project will support design of civil works in some areas managed by the NFA and UFA and that will be financed through separate investments outside of the project – under the World Bank ESF, these are considered TA activities. When implemented, such TA activities may generate moderate to substantial environmental concerns that include occupational health and safety risks, public nuisance due to presence of debris and air pollution, community health and safety risks related with disposal and handling of hazardous waste and also substantial risks to human health and the environment due to handling construction site waste as shown in Table 5-2. 56 Principally, Environmental Screening is intended to ensure that, proposed projects are subjected to appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment (EA) under ESS1 and applicable provisions of other ESS. It is recognized that project investments under Component 1 and could pose localized environmental impacts arising from proposed forest restoration and management activities; as well as small infrastructure development on the boundaries of protected areas owing largely to their susceptibility to spread of invasive species in the conservation areas and national parks, uncontrolled forest fires, soil erosion and disturbance, land clearance and fauna disturbance among others. Cognizant of this, attention to the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring is needed. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK CLASSIFICATION - ESRC The World Bank ESF 2018 classifies all projects (including projects involving Financial Intermediaries (FIs) into one of four classifications: High Risk, Substantial Risk, Moderate Risk or Low Risk. In determining the appropriate risk classification, the following parameters are taken into consideration: ▪ the type of project; ▪ its location; ▪ sensitivity of the project; ▪ scale of the project; ▪ the nature and magnitude of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts; and ▪ the capacity and commitment of the Developer/Borrower (including any other entity responsible for the implementation of the project) to manage the environmental and social risks and impacts in a manner consistent with the ESSs. Table 5-1- Summary of project categorization based on ESF 2018 Aspect High Risk Substantial Risk Moderate Risk Low Risk Project type, Complex large to very Not as complex; large No activities with high Few or no adverse location, large scale in to medium scale not potential for harming risks and impacts. sensitivity, sensitive location(s). such sensitive people or scale location. environment; located away from sensitive areas. Nature & Mitigation unproven: Mitigation more Easily mitigated: site Nothing to mitigate-no magnitude of unable to entirely reliable: significant specific, low further assessment risks & address significant risks but possible to magnitude risks. after screening. impacts, risk; high residual avoid or address. available value. mitigation Borrower Challenges and Some concerns about Sufficient borrower Minimal or negligible capacity and concerns about borrower track record, experience, record of risks to and impacts commitment record of engagement capacity accomplishment, on human populations 57 accomplishment but readily addressed. stakeholder and/or the regarding E&S engagement capacity. environment issues, significant stakeholder engagement capacity, commitment, track record concerns. Context of risk Significant effects on Some effects on ability No effects on ability to Negligible risk. relevant to ES ability to mitigate risk to mitigate risk-known mitigate risk – no measures - significant and reliable contextual risks with contextual risks mechanisms to effects on E&S outside project control prevent or minimize, performance impacting E&S enforcement could be performance and weak in some outcomes. respects. Based on the available information regarding this project, this assessment concludes that risk ratings of moderate are recommended for both environmental and social risks. Hence specific mitigation measures per activity are recommended in Table 5-2, and these will be complemented overall by capacity-building in environmental and social risk management which is already planned for both UWA and NFA under the IFPA-CD project. UWA and NFA routinely undertake EIAs consistent with the legal framework and have specialist staff assigned for this purpose as well as staff responsible for community engagement. Social Risk Rating is Moderate. The project is meant to increase the resilience of beneficiary communities. All planned works will be carried out using community labor and in very close proximity to selected National Parks and therefore away from communities. These two facts will significantly reduce the risks associated with influx of labor (GBV, VAC, etc.) and those related to health and safety of communities in general. Land acquisition and restriction of access are not expected. The project will also have a risk of exclusion of certain community members during the provision of inputs under component 1.1 and training under component 1.2. The training to be provided under the project will also have to be consistent with the ESF. The implementing agencies (NFA and UWA) have experience from past and on-going projects, which are supported by the World Bank. The Recipient has opportunity to learn from the on-going activities. Therefore, the risk rating will continuously be reviewed during implementation and be updated accordingly. Table 5-2: Potential risk/impact and mitigation measures Activity Impact Proposed mitigation measures Reforestation Use of only trees species local to the restoration areas. This If non-indigenous tree species are activities within Forest used, there may be potential will be assured by raising wildlets found in the forest in the Reserves negative impacts on biodiversitynurseries and using these seedlings for forest restoration activities within reserves. Under activities under Occupational health and safety Workers will be required to wear suitable Personal Protective component 1.2 will risks such as accidents and falls Equipment (PPE), including hardhats, safety boots, and involve a number of during civil works. injuries to gloves as needed. 58 capacity building workers due to handling working Workers will be sufficiently trained in the safe methods activities for the tools for trench excavations; falls pertaining to their area of work to avoid injuries. benefiting in the trenches; There should be provision of first aid equipment on site communities and also very small civil works related to boundary Issues of biological hazards - skin The project should create awareness on how to deal with protection to prevent irritation and other infections from encounters with animals, snakebite, among others human wildlife conflict plants or animal and snake bites (such as digging of Public nuisance due to presence -Restrict construction activities to daytime hours only, when trenches) of debris and air pollution noise pollution is least felt. Noise pollution as a result of -No activities will be allowed on site beyond 7.00 pm in order construction works to check on the noise pollution much felt at night. -Put in place a code of conduct to be followed by the workforce and avoid causing unnecessary inconvenience to the community. -Provide protective gear to the workforce operating equipment that generates noise. • In case of air pollution there should be monitoring of the weather conditions and adjusting the work program as required to respond to dry or windy conditions. Ensure regular maintenance of any mechanized equipment.to reduce on the noise And for construction waste such as debris adding waste management should be put in place following 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, plus proper disposal of residual waste Community health and safety Board off the construction site area, provision of barricades risks related with disposal and and warning signs at the site handling of hazardous waste Provision of measures to segregate, safely store, and finally dispose of hazardous waste. Risks to human health and the Construct/Provide adequate secondary containment environment due to handling (containment bunds) for any fuel storage facilities. construction site waste Risk due to improper fuel storage Provide adequate facilities for the temporary storage of waste oil if any. Risks related with COVID-19 Sensitize all project employees about the signs and pandemic are expected mainly, symptoms of COVID-19 as well as the ways to control its during operationalization of TA spread. activities Screen local employees/contractors for COVID-19 during recruitment. Management of potential COVID-19 cases – in case, any 59 workers develop the above symptoms, isolate them and immediately contact the respective District Health Officers (DHOs) to pick and transport the patients for treatment and providing masks and sanitizers to the workers Since the project involves minimal civil works, there is the Implementers of activities will follow chance Find Procedures potential for chance find of cultural or archeological included in this ESMF. Provisions related to cultural heritage significance during such activities especially trench digging. (including locations of identified sites of cultural significance) There are also potential risks related to intangible cultural are included in PA management plans. heritage, such as disruption to religious/cultural festivity in the community by civil works Fire and oil spill prevention Fire will be prevented during decommissioning by ensuring that there is adequate availability of fire extinguishers onsite. Personnel undertaking equipment removal will be trained in fire-fighting practices. All equipment and machines with potential of spilling or leaking oil and fuel will be checked and necessary safeguard procedures developed before their dismantling. If oil spills or leaks occur, control and site clean will be undertaken immediately. 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT Principally, screening is intended to ensure that, proposed project activities are subjected to appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment (EA) under ESS1 and applicable provisions of other ESS. It is recognized that project investments under Component 1 could pose localized environmental impacts arising from proposed forest restoration and management activities; as well as small infrastructure development on the boundaries of protected areas. Other potential environmental risks and impacts are related with the TA activity that will support the preparation and development of technical designs for small-scale civil works such as construction of fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides, and replacement entry gates. Since these areas are environmentally-sensitive, attention to the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring is needed. To curb the spread of COVID-19 the project should introduce the following safety measures to prevent or minimize exposure to COVID-19, as well as for addressing situations where there are cases of symptomatic workers: • Set up a system at the community level that links up with health facilities and sub-county system for the management of COVID-19 related matters • Set up an online system (use WhatsApp for instance) to provide the VHTs with updates on COVID-19; • Establish a referral system that will allow the VHTs to refer people with various COVID-19 related symptoms and questions. The online system could also assist with the triage of sick community members as necessary; • Develop training materials that will also give the volunteers accurate information on COVID-19 including prevention and control measures; 60 • Equip the workers with basic protective equipment such as masks and sanitizers Assessment and screening process The steps below shall be incorporated in any future project activities’ preparation and approval process. Step 1: Screening of Project Activities Project activities supported under the project will be screened for environmental and social risks through the following process: UWA and NFA and other entities will be responsible for applying the screening checklist at site level to determine the commensurate ESMP for the activities. A screening checklist for the project has been developed and can be found in Annex 1. The Project Coordination Unit will provide support to implementing agencies and oversight of environmental and social risk screening across the project. The proposed project activities will be subjected to an environmental and social screening process before it is selected for implementation. The activities will be screened for national EIA requirements as well as WB’s ESSs. An environmental and social checklist will be developed and used during the screening (see Annex 1 for an example). A social screening process will also be undertaken in site specific location to determine the extent of any possible adverse impacts and prospective losses, to identify any vulnerable groups, and to ascertain any losses related to land acquisition. Details of the acquired or restricted land (if any) will be collected and an asset verification survey will be done to assess the loss of land and land-based assets. Environmental and social screening of each project activity will be coordinated by the Project co-ordination Unit (PCU) during preparation of the project’s annual work plan. Since many of the project activities will take place within participating districts clear guidance will be provided by PCU for Local Governments and their service providers to ensure that screening takes place to categorize activities and that all concerned local stakeholders such as conservation groups and local communities are consulted and involved in this. The results of the screening form the basis for assigning the environmental and social risk category of activities and informs decisions on the extent and depth of environmental and social due diligence that will be undertaken. The process of screening identifies the key aspects that may need to be further examined and managed. Activity categorization is essential for early understanding of the type, nature and scale of any impacts. Based on the ESRS, this project has been classified as moderate and its associated activities are those for which there is a ‘moderate risk of impact’ which requires preparation of ESMPs. An activity is classed as Moderate if its potential adverse environmental or social impacts on human and/or on the environment are less adverse. Impacts will be limited to a specific site, will be reversible and mitigation measures will be known or can easily be designed. A few project-supported activities such as construction of trenches may fall under this category. Step 2 : Preparation of the ESMP and ESIA, as required If required by the screening process, the entity shall be responsible for the preparation an ESMP and or ESIA. ESMP/ESIA should contain detailed information on: (1) measures to be taken during implementation of certain activities in order to eliminate adverse environmental and social impact or reduce it to an acceptable level; and (2) actions necessary to implement the said measures. If it is determined that an ESIA is required, then this shall be prepared by the entity and submitted to NEMA for review and approval. 61 The Implementation of the ESMF will follow a semi-decentralized system where the Project proponent will empower the District Local Government Authorities / Local Authorities to undertake screening of proposed sub-projects and subsequent development and implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans for specific sites based on the results of screening. At the district level, the District Environmental Committee (DEC) which is a sub-committee of the District Executive Committee responsible for coordinating of environmental programs in the district will take the lead in the coordination of environmental and social screening. The DEC is comprised of heads of sectors which are key to environment and natural resources management at district level. These include heads of sectors for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Lands, Environmental Health, Education and representatives of selected Non-Governmental Organizations implementing environment related programs in the district. The DEC is chaired by the Director of Planning and Development and the Environmental District Officer provides secretarial services. DESC reports to the District Executive Committee (DEC) which in turn reports to the District Council which is the final decision-making body at District Level. At community level, the DEC works through the Local Council Area Executive Committee (LCAEC) has frontline extension staff from government departments and relevant non-governmental organizations operating in an area under a Local council (LC). The DEC in collaboration with the AEC and community project implementation committee will carry out screening and develop the Environmental and Social Management Plans. Depending on the outcome of the screening exercise in reference to the NEMA EIA guidelines (1998), the ESMPs for small and less risky subprojects will be endorsed by the DESC for implementation. However, for sub projects requiring more detailed ESMPs or an ESIA, due processes of approval will be followed as laid down in the NEMA EIA Guidelines (1998). It is expected that developed Environmental and Social Management Plans will be implemented by the subproject implementation committees with support from the frontline staff and the DEC. The District Environmental Officer will maintain records on number of projects screened, number of projects for which ESMPs were developed and approved, number of projects for which ESMPs are being implemented or were completed. 62 Figure 8-1 Coordination Arrangements for Environmental and Social Assessments Step 3: Approval and Monitoring For project activities subject to an ESMP as a result of limited and site-specific impacts, the ESMPs shall be approved by the PCU. Project activities shall be eligible for financing only after ESMPs approval. ESMP approval shall follow public disclosure and completion of public consultations. The entity will be responsible for monitoring adherence to the ESMP/ESIA. For activities which require an ESIA, once the ESIA study is concluded the NFA and UWA will submit three (3) copies of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which includes the social aspects of the assessment to NEMA for their review and approval. Once submitted to NEMA, EIS becomes a public document. Within two (2) weeks from date of receipt of the EIS, NEMA is mandated, if it finds it necessary; to publicize receipt of the EIS, identify the concerned region and stakeholders, the places for inspection of the EIS, and makes copies or summaries of the statement available for public inspection. However since the Bank is supporting this project, public disclosure is mandatory, and should not left to the discretion of NEMA, this must include availability of the document in the affected area, in local 63 language, with sufficient time to review and submit comments. NEMA also sends copies of the EIS within 14 days from the date on which the EIS was received to relevant agencies and experts for comments. Some of the key agencies in this Project include; NFA, UWA, MTWA, and MoLGSD amongst others. Public comments and/or objections are submitted to NEMA within 3 weeks of receipt of the EIS. It is, therefore, government policy to have the Statement disclosed by NEMA during the review process but the level of disclosure is at the discretion of NEMA. Figure 8-2: Schematic flow of EIA process in Uganda Integration of environmental and social provisions in tendering documents The implementing agencies will ensure that the recommendations and other environmental and social management measures and adaptation measures from sub-project and site-specific safeguard instruments are integrated in bidding documents and works contracts to be performed by contractors or consultants. 64 8.1.1 Construction Contractor The Contractor will be responsible for on-field implementation of the ESMP. All the required liabilities under the World Bank guidelines and applicable GoU laws will be fulfilled by the construction contractor at the project sites. Contractor ESMP approved by the client will be an integral part of the contract documents and details will also be included in the bid to address the budget for environmental and social safeguards. Contractor will hire requisite staff to ensure compliance of ESMP. PCU and the consultant will ensure that the following plans form a part of the ESMP taking into account that the measures should be proportionate to the project risks Plan. The Contractor will ensure that the proposed project activities are in compliance with the ESMP, World Bank Environmental. Provision will be made in the agreement with the contractor to: • Train staff on regular basis on Environment, Social, Health and Safety compliance; • Implement ESMP in the field; • Ensure safe working conditions; such as labor rights, fare wages and refraining from employing minors as well as engaging in illegal activities. • Provide Provisions of PPEs to workers; • Report every incident/accident. 9 CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING The below capacity building and training activities have been identified for the project: Table 9-1: Key capacity building activities Type of training / Targeted Groups Timeframe for Trainers Delivery CS1 Training on screening of project activities and key provisions of the NFA and UWA, with project ESMF and SEP / Staff leading implementation of project At project start support from the supported activities in targets areas – Park Wardens (UWA), Association senior rangers (UWA), Sector Managers and rangers (NFA), project focal points CS2 Information on World Bank’s Safeguards Incidents Staff of the Reporting Tool (SIRT) provided to all implementing At project start Association agencies / All implementing agencies’ staff involved in project activities CS3 Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / All workers At induction UWA and NFA and project staff. and responsible staff continuous CS4 Occupational health and safety including on emergency At induction UWA and NFA prevention and preparedness and response arrangements and responsible staff to emergency situations. / All workers and project staff. continuous 65 CS5 Environmental Awareness / All workers and project staff. Continuous UWA and NFA responsible staff 10 MONITORING AND EVALUATION Overview The purpose of environmental and social standards monitoring includes: f) Ensure that proper appraisals on the effects of project activities takes place and that proper measures are put in place to mitigate the effects; g) Set out the basis for compliance and enforcement of terms and conditions for approval; h) Design compliance strategies; i) Assess compliance with and management of the environment and social safeguards. j) Ensure that all stakeholders participate in the Sub-Project processes. Monitoring The environmental and social safeguards monitoring will be carried out by UWA and NFA, working closely with District Local Governments to carry and ensure effective monitoring of environmental and social risks. Monitoring of environmental and social standards will also cover all project activities. Monitoring reports will be compiled and sent to responsible UWA and NFA staff at headquarters. Quarterly monitoring reporting on ESS risk management will be compiled by the two implementing entities (NFA and UWA) and shared with the Bank. a) Annual reporting on E&S risk management will capture the experience with implementation of the ESMF procedures. The purpose of these reports is to provide: b) An assessment of extent of compliance with ESMF procedures, lessons learned, and improve future ESMF performance; c) To assess the occurrence of, and potential for, cumulative impacts due to Project-funded and other development activities; and d) A record of progress, experiences, challenges encountered, lessons learnt and emerging issues from year- to-year implementation of ESMF that can be used to improve performance. A project of this scale will require quarterly environmental and social monitoring. As such all project processes and activities will be captured and evaluated to ensure that they meet the safeguard standards disclosed before the project Implementation. This report shall include the following key information: 1) An introduction, reporting period and monitoring locations; 2) Scope of works and status of implementation of activity being reported on; 3) ESMF management actions undertaken during the reporting period; 4) Progress to date in implementing the ESMF, including key aspects monitored: such as waste management, health and safety practices, procurement/storage/and use of pesticides including their disposal, dust management, water quality, other environmental incidents and accidents, environmental awareness and training undertaken, etc.; 5) Key recommended follow up issues, actions, time frame and responsibility center. 66 10.1 Compliance Monitoring UWA and NFA will prepare and submit to the Association quarterly monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). 10.2 Impact Monitoring When implementation commences, monitoring of the risks, impacts and mitigation measures of project activities should be the sole responsibility of the respective Government’s Implementing Agency (UWA and NFA) in the project area. It is expected that the environmental and social safeguards documents will be given to the contractor and the Implementing Agencies will monitor to ensure that works are preceding in accordance with the laid down mitigation measures as stipulated in the ESMF, SEP and ESCP. The monitoring and evaluation of the environmental and social impacts measure will also include aspects related to grievances, impacts on communities, the spread of Covid-19, occupational health and safety, HIV/AIDS and stakeholder engagement among others. An independent consultant will be contracted by NFA and UWA on a competitive basis to audit compliance to environmental and social safeguards implementation on the project as well as verification of project results. This will include assessing adherence at all implementation levels to the procedures set out in the ESMF and associated tools and in verifying outputs of all project activities. The audit compliance report will serve as a management tool to provide UWA and NFA with timely third-party information on weaknesses in implementation of environmental and social safeguards that require corrective actions to keep the Project on track. The scope and methodology of the independent consultant will be agreed with the World Bank, and quarterly monitoring reports will be shared by UWA and NFA. The World Bank will equally supervise and assess the environmental and social performance through review of the quarterly monitoring reports and through regular field missions. 11 ESMF BUDGET AND DISCLOSURE Financial resources are required to support implementation of this ESMF based on estimates summarized Table 11-1 below. However, the final costs will be confirmed during project appraisal Table 11-1: Indicative ESMF Budget N0 ITEM BUDGET($USD) 1 Mobilization and sensitization of the communities especially those living in those 15,000 project areas 2 Building the capacity of Departments in the implementing agencies to institutionalize 20,000 safeguards management (specialized short-term trainings) for field activities 3 Environmental and social safeguards monitoring and reporting Environmental screening and Preparation of ESIAs, ESMPs and related safeguard management 15,000 plans for investments funded from component 1 and 2 GRAND TOTAL 75,000 ESMF DISCLOSURE 67 This ESMF will be disclosed in compliance with relevant Ugandan regulations and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework. NFA/UWA will upload the ESMF and other safeguards for the project onto their websites https://www.nfa.org.ug/ and https://www.ugandawildlife.org/ and invite the public to access and review the documents. Similarly, the ESMF will also be disclosed in line with the COVID- 19 guidelines of WHO, World Bank public consultations guidelines of March 2020 and MoH SOPs. The Implementing agencies will also provide copies of the ESMF to the public and in the NEMA library. The ESMF alongside other safeguards documents will be disclosed at the World Bank’s website and made available to any interested persons for public access 68 ANNEXES Annex 1: Screening Form 1. Activity Brief Description Activity name: Activity Location (include map/sketch): (e.g. Water Management Zone, District, etc.). Type of activity: (e.g. new construction, rehabilitation, periodic maintenance) Estimated Cost: (x) Proposed Date of Commencement of Activity: Site area in ha Extension of or changes to existing alignment Feasibility Study, Technical (circle answer): Yes No Drawing/Specifications Reviewed: This report is to be kept short and concise. 2. Sensitivity of the Project Site Sensitivity Issues Very Low Low Medium High Natural habitats No natural habitats No critical natural Receptor has a limited Critical natural present of any kind habitats or other capacity to accommodate habitats present natural habitats physical or chemical changes or influences Water quality and Project activities Water flows Medium intensity of water Intensive water use; water resource does not need use exceed any use; multiple water users; multiple water availability and use of available water existing demand; water quality issues are users; potential for resource low intensity of important conflicts is high; water use; water quality issues potential water use are important conflicts expected to be low; no potential water quality issues Natural hazards No known Flat terrain; no Medium slopes; some Mountainous terrain; vulnerability, floods, volcanic/seismic/ potential erosion potential; medium steep slopes; soil, stability/ erosion flood risks stability/erosion risks from unstable soils; high problems; volcanic/seismic/ flood/ erosion potential; hurricanes volcanic, seismic or flood risks 69 Site Sensitivity Issues Very Low Low Medium High Cultural Heritage No known or Suspected cultural Known heritage sites in Known heritage sites suspected cultural heritage sites; Project area that shall in Project area heritage (Tangible known heritage have interaction with the which can be and intangible). sites in broader project activities affected by project area of influence activities. Stakeholder The stakeholders Stakeholders are in Some of stakeholders are Stakeholders are not engagement are in support of support of the in agreement with the well engaged or not the project and project but do not project while another in agreement with have been well have not been well group is not. the proposed project engaged. engaged activities 3. Checklist of environmental and social impacts in various project activities Roads and Trails Potential for Adverse Impacts None Low Moderate High Unknown Soil erosion or flooding concerns (e.g., due to highly erodible soils or steep gradients) Number of stream crossings or disturbances Wet season excavation Creation of quarry sites or borrow pits Significant vegetation removal Wildlife habitats or populations disturbed Environmentally sensitive areas disturbed Cultural or religious heritage (Tangible and intangible). New settlement pressures created / Access protection Other (specify): Catchment, Forestry, Grasslands Projects Potential for Adverse Impacts None Low Moderate High Unknown New access (road) construction Wet season soil disturbance Potential for debris flows or landslides Sensitive downstream ecosystems Removal of native plant/tree species 70 Introduced plant/tree species Invasion of native species Wildlife habitats or populations disturbed Environmentally sensitive areas disturbed Insufficient capacity to manage catchment ponds Insufficient capacity to prohibit or control open grazing Insufficient capacity to manage new plantations/pastures Use of pesticides Other (specify): Infrastructure Projects Potential for Adverse Impacts None Low Moderate High Unknown Alteration of existing drainage conditions Vegetation removal Wet season soil disturbance Construction materials impact on adjacent forests/lands Quarries and borrow pits created Cultural or religious sites disturbed Water supply development effects in available supply Effect of sanitation development on existing disposal sites In-migration/settlement induced by facilities development Local incapacity/inexperience to manage facilities Labor influx Other (specify): Preliminary Environmental Information: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. State the source of information available at this stage (proponents report, ESIA or other environmental study). Has there been litigation or complaints of any environmental nature directed against the proponent or activity Refer to application and/or relevant environmental authority for this information. Identify type of activities and likely environmental impacts: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. 71 Preliminary Environmental Information: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. What are the likely environmental impacts, opportunities, risks and liabilities associated with the sub-project? Refer to ESMF– Impact Mitigation, Disclosure and Monitoring Guidelines Determine environmental screening category: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. After compiling the above, determine which risk level the sub-project falls under based on the environmental risk categorization in accordance with the ESSs i.e. High Risk subprojects, (b) Substantial Risk, Moderate Risk and Low Risk Refer to ESMF– Screening and Review Process Mitigation of Potential Pollution: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. Does the Activity have the potential to pollute the environment, or contravene any environmental laws and regulations? Will the Activity require pesticide use? Does the design adequately detail mitigating measures? Refer to ESMF– Impact, Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines If screening identifies environmental issues that require an ESIA or a study, does the proposal include the ESIA or study? Indicate the scope and time frame of any outstanding environmental study. Required Environmental Monitoring Plan: If the screening identifies environmental issues that require long term or intermittent monitoring (effluent, water quality, soil quality, air quality, noise, etc.), does the proposal detail adequate monitoring requirements? Refer to ESMF– Impact, Mitigation and Monitoring Guidelines Public participation/information requirements: Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. Does the proposal require, under national or local laws and the project Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the public to be informed, consulted or involved? Has consultation been completed? 72 Indicate the time frame of any outstanding consultation process. Refer to relevant legislative acts in Uganda. Land and resettlement: Yes/No answers and bullet lists Will the project affect access to forest areas and wildlife resources? preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. What is the plot currently being used for? (e.g. agriculture, gardening, etc.) List the key resources. Labour influx List outstanding actions to be cleared before Activity approval for financing Approval/rejection Yes/No answers and bullet lists preferred except where descriptive detail is essential. If proposal is rejected for E&S reasons, should the activity be reconsidered, and what additional data would be required for reconsideration? Recommendations Environmental category: 1 2 3 4 Requires an ESIA to be submitted on date: Requires addressing livelihoods restoration activities in the CFM agreement / CRM MOU Requires an ESMP to be submitted on date: Does not require further environmental or social studies and activity can proceed Reviewer: Name: Signature: Date: 73 Annex 2: Sample TOR for Preparing Environmental & Social Impact Assessment a). Background The Introduction indicates the purpose of the ESIA, presents an overview of the proposed Project to be assessed, as well as the Project’s purpose and needs. It shall also briefly give the background information on the sub -project as well as the need for the ESIA in line with national environmental policies and legislations. i) Objectives of ESIA study The main objective of the ESIA should be stated. The environmental and social impacts study should take into consideration all environmental and social impacts of the proposed sub-project activities and identify the main environmental and social aspects that are likely to be raised by key stakeholders in order to optimize the Project from the environmental and social point of view, by avoiding, minimizing, reducing or off-setting negative and enhancing positive impacts. b). ESIA Study Methodology ii) Desk Research and Literature Review The consultant shall perform a comprehensive literature review of key documents related to environmental, security, occupational health and safety legislation, policies, guidelines, manuals, procedures, practices, international best practices related to the Project. The appropriate Field tools including questionnaires, data collection forms etc. shall then be developed. iii) Site Investigation The consultant shall visit the Project area with the aim of identifying the following: a. Physical-cultural and historical sites b. Noise sensitive areas c. Wildlife habitats, feeding, and crossing areas d. Proximity to residential places, road network, recreational activities etc. e. Hydrological setting iv) Public and Institutional Consultations The consultant shall carry out extensive consultations with all key stakeholders as appropriate. These may include but not limited to the following: a. NEMA b. MWE c. MTWA d. MoLG e. OPM f. District Local Government Officials g. NFA h. UNHCR c). Analysis of Project Alternatives 74 The Consultant shall identify and systematically, undertake comparison of the potential Project Alternatives taking into account environmental and social factors such as: a. Sites – Assess suitability of the site and potential alternative sites; b. No-Project Scenario: This will include the alternative of not having the Project to demonstrate environmental, social, and economic conditions without it. d). Impact Analysis The consultant shall evaluate potential Project impacts considering planning, construction, and operation stages which shall cover social, ecological, and environmental issues. Identification of impacts shall include positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, and immediate and long-term impacts, unavoidable or irreversible impacts. The assessment of the potential impacts will also include; landscape impacts of excavations and construction, loss of nature features habitats and species by construction and operation, soil contamination impacts, noise pollution, soil waste, and socio-economic and cultural impacts. e). Preparation of the ESMP Depending on the relevance of each impact identified, specific corrective measures have to be identified in order to mitigate the potential negative impacts and eventually to strengthen the positive ones. Mitigation measures could consist of the integration of proposed actions into the designs of the respective components. Besides, appropriate measures can be taken to compensate negative impacts that can occur and cannot be avoided, design appropriate measures to reduce/eliminate the negative identified impacts, to tackle needs and problems pointed out by consultation with stakeholders, to improve local living conditions and to promote local development. The Consultant will identify the appropriate measures that can be taken to maximize and/or enhance the positive impacts and avoid, reduce or minimize the negative impacts. He shall prescribe and present detailed tangible, practical relevant management/mitigation measures bearing in mind capacity restraints for those who have to implement and monitor their implementation, also bearing in mind the need to first avoid these impacts altogether, or to reverse them and then when these are not possible to manage them in an sustainable way. The ESMP will include measures to avoid, prevent, reduce, mitigate, remedy or compensate any adverse effects on the environment and social in relation to the respective construction and operation activities. f). Capacity and Training Needs The Consultant shall identify the institutional needs to implement the environmental and social assessment recommendations by reviewing the institutional mandates and capability of implementing institutions at local/district and national levels and recommend steps to strengthen or expand them so that the management and monitoring plans in the ESIA can be effectively implemented. The recommendations may extend to management procedures and training, staffing, and financial support. g). Preparation of Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan The Consultant will prepare a specific description, and details, of monitoring measures for the Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan including the parameters to be measured, methods to be used, sampling locations, frequency of measurements, and definition of thresholds that will signal the need for corrective actions as well as deliver a monitoring and reporting procedure. The monitoring program would enable verification of the adequacy of the management plans and other mitigation measures identified in the ESMP and would provide a basis for determination of any remedial measures or adjustments to management aspects if required. The Consultant should provide a time frame and implementation mechanism, staffing requirements, training and cost outlays. 75 h). Team Composition The ESIA Experts for Project activities shall comprise of experts proposed herewith. It is important that, the ESIA teams are constituted taking into account the prevailing conditions on the proposed sub-project sites. 1. Environmental Management Specialist (Team Leader) Key Qualifications: He/she should possess the following qualifications: i) At least an MSc. Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management or Environmental Engineering and four years of experience or a good BSc degree with experience of at least 6 years in conducting EIAs for infrastructure Projects and familiarity with World Bank safeguards and / or ESF ii) Should be registered with NEMA as an Environmental Practitioner and also certified as a Team Leader. Tasks: He/she will perform the following roles: i) Provide overall coordination and leadership to an ESIA team; ii) Take a leadership role in steering stakeholder consultations during ESIA for slaughterhouse Projects; iii) Play an inter-phase role between client, NEMA and other stakeholders during EIA process; iv) Conduct site visits of planned project activities; v) Identify impacts of the Project activities on the social and associated environment items; vi) Participate in the elaboration of technical, legal and regulatory norms to comply with environmental requirements in all the chain of Project activities; vii) Identify, assess and propose environmental mitigation measures for the Project sub-project under study; and viii) Prepare an ESMP for the Project. 2. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Tasks: i) provide OSH input throughout the assignment; ii) provide public health aspects in the assignment; iii) Participate in development ESIA for Projects and participate in stakeholders’ workshop. Key qualifications: iv) In addition to relevant formal training, should have undertaken training in OHS; v) Should have undertaken trainings in ESIA and or Environmental Audits; vi) Familiarity with World Bank safeguards and / or ESF 3. Ecologist Key qualifications: i) Must have a postgraduate training in natural sciences (forestry, botany or zoology); ii) Must have undertaken an ESIA training; 76 iii) Conducted at least 5 ESIAs studies in development Projects. iv) Familiarity with World Bank safeguards and / or ESF Tasks: i) Take a lead in the ecological investigations of the Project; ii) Consult with stakeholder institutions on ecological aspects of the Project; iii) Review various literature sources on ecological matters of the Projects; and iv) Participate in write up of Environmental Impact Report. 4. Socio-economist Key qualifications: i) He/she should have undertaken postgraduate training in the fields of sociology, anthropology or social work or related social sciences; ii) He/she should have conducted ESIAs with experience of at least 5 years; and iii) Must be registered with NEMA. iv) Familiarity with World Bank safeguards and / or ESF Tasks: i) Take a lead in stakeholder consultations especially with the key stakeholders, local residents etc.; ii) Provide socio-economic input/expertise throughout the assignment; iii) Lead in the formulation of social survey instruments; iv) Prepare reports relating to RAP and compensations; and v) Provide social input in the Environmental Impact Report. i). Expected Deliverables The Consultant shall produce an ESIA report acceptable to MWE, NEMA and the funding institution and the report shall include the following as per the requirements of Regulation 14 of the National (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations of Uganda: i) The Project description and the activities it is likely to generate; ii) The proposed site and reasons for rejecting alternative sites; iii) A description of the potentially affected environment including specific information necessary for identifying and assessing the environmental effects of the Project; iv) The material in-puts into the Project and their potential environmental effects; v) The technology and processes that shall be used, and a description of alternative technologies and processes, and the reasons for not selecting them; vi) The products and by-products of the Project; vii) The environmental and social effects of the Project including the direct, indirect, cumulative, short-term and long-term effects; viii) The measures proposed for eliminating, minimizing, or mitigating adverse impacts; ix) An identification of gaps in knowledge and uncertainties which were encountered in compiling the required information. 77 Annex 3: Sample ToR for Design of Civil Works, including E&S due diligence Background of the Project Uganda’s natural forests are being lost and degraded at one of the highest rates in the world despite their importance for tourism and the role they play in supporting other natural resource-based activities. The total net loss of Uganda’s forests during the period 2000-2015 was estimated at 1.8 million ha, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of 4 percent. In the year 2000 forest covered 19.4 percent of the land area but this had reduced to 12 percent by 2015. 10 Several factors have been identified as drivers of forest loss and degradation and these include: the need for more land for agricultural expansion; wood extraction for energy; increased urbanization as a result of high population growth; free grazing animals and wildfires that constituted to 72% of the annual carbon emissions for 2015. Against that background, GOU has come up with intervention measures to improve sustainable management of, and increase benefits to communities from, target protected areas in consideration with required measures of managing COVID-19 impacts. The proposed project will support forest monitoring and community livelihoods engagements of the National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority in key protected areas within the Albertine landscape. These activities have been severely affected by COVID-19. The project will support UWA and NFA protection and forest restoration activities, including monitoring and patrolling activities, activities aimed at prevention of human- wildlife conflict, and restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting, using community labor as per standard procedures in use by these agencies. The project will also support livelihoods and employment opportunities in forest-adjacent communities, through provision of inputs for alternative livelihoods (both natural-resource based and not) to create innovative income streams for these communities and support job creation. Since these areas are environmentally and socially sensitive, particular attention is needed to make interventions related with construction of trenches and carry out small-scale civil works such as construction of fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides, and replacement entry gates. Objectives of the project The main objective of the design consultancy work is to prepare the typical designs of civil structures of trenches, fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides, and replacement entry gates, in consideration with environmental and social risks and impacts. The specific objectives of design of building structures are: a) To prepare number of typical architectural designs as per the guideline of concerned government authorities. b) To prepare structural analysis and report of the approved architectural drawings. c) To prepare the detailed estimates of the designed buildings/structures. To prepare the specification of the materials and methodologies to be used in construction works. SCOPE OF SERVICES, TASKS AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES The scope of consultancy services will involve responsibility for all technical investigations and preparation of essential documents for executing the assignment. Preliminary Investigations • Conduct comprehensive site analyses, topographical surveys, geo-technical investigations and checks with local area development plans; inter alia indicating existing natural/man-made features, utility service lines/sources, main/access roads and planned future developments. • Undertake an environmental and social risk /impacts screening of each site and specific project (civil works); 10 Ministry of Water and Environment (2018). Proposed forest reference level for Uganda. Republic of Uganda. February 2018. 78 • Study and ensure full compliance with the public health, building, and environmental planning regulations, including all required approvals and permits • Prepare a preliminary Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) including code of conduct and LMP provisions for the project site. • Prepare climate-responsive, energy-efficient and sustainable & engineering designs/calculations/principles, construction methods & finishes schedules • Prepare preliminary site layout plans fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides and entry gates in compliance with the required environmental and social safeguard requirements and ESMPs Detailed design and Tender documents - Complete the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) for the project site and obtain NEMA and/or other relevant statutory approvals and ensure that the E&S risks are incorporated in the final technical design options. in consistent with the Bank ESSs, taking into account key objectives or restrictions such as: avoid or minimize waste generation; avoid or minimize involuntary resettlement; avoid adverse impacts on natural habitat; protect cultural heritage. • Finalize the design process and assist in preparation of tender and contracts documents that should include ESMPs and clauses on E&S impacts/risks, LMP provisions and mitigation measures respectively. • Submit plan services layouts to the respective statutory authorities for no-objection including anticipated E&S impacts and risks and their mitigation measures (e.g. installation of electricity, water, sewerage as appropriate). • Prepare detailed, site layout plans for fire towers, housing (construction and renovation) for staff, bird hides and entry gates including all civil building services and external works in guidance with ESMPs. • Prepare detailed architectural and engineering drawings (including floor plans, sections, elevations, 3D drawings, working details and finishes/fittings schedules), as well as building interior and hard/soft landscaping designs, furniture/equipment positioning and accessories for housing (construction and renovation) for staff • Prepare detailed technical specifications, un-priced bills of quantities and detailed confidential cost estimates (priced bills of quantities) for the civil works, furniture and equipment. Expected deliverables a) Inception Report with detailed methodology and work schedule within seven days of contract. b) Draft Report with detailed methodology, findings, conclusion, and recommendation. c) Final Report incorporating the feedback from the client d) Site Specific ESMPs The final delivery shall include 1) Typical architectural design and detail working drawings for the specific structures. 2) Structural analysis, report and detail structural drawings of the designs. 3) Electrical layout, sanitary drawings. 4) Detail estimation of design. 5) Specification of materials and methodology to be conducted during the construction period. 6) Site Specific ESMPs The report shall be submitted in English in the form of: • A hard and electronic copy of the Inception Report • Two hard copies and an electronic copy (PDF and DWG format) of the designs and report. • One hard copy and electronic copy (PDF and DWG format) of the designs and report. 79 • One hard copy and electronic copy (PDF and XLS format) of the detailed estimate Duration: The project will start immediately after the agreement signed by both parties and must be completed within a period of 6 months from signing of the contract. General qualifications of consultant A registered firm/ individual with an authorized agency of the Government of Uganda and having proven experience in the field of ‘Designing and Analysis ' are eligible to apply. Composition of designing team: The nature of the assignment requires the consultant to assemble a well-qualified and experienced team of experts (inclusive of Environmental and Social Expert) ,of sufficient size and capacity, covering all the professional disciplines required for successful preparation of infrastructure designs who might include the following; Lead architect • shall have at least a Master Degree Architecture and possess strong working knowledge of design, estimation, structural analysis and preparation of specification of materials and work methodology. • The incumbent shall be responsible for ensuring that the designs are correctly prepared and reported. S/he shall have an extensive knowledge in building design and analysis work for rural area. • Be responsible for coordinating all the activities mentioned in this ToR. • Possess very good interpersonal, technical and communication skills. • Have proficiency in written and spoken English Civil Engineer (one): The Civil Engineer shall have a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and with at least three years of work experience in construction field. Sub Engineer (two): The Sub Engineer shall have a Diploma in Civil Engineering or Architecture and with at least 3 years of work experience in construction field. Environmental and Social Specialist The E&S Specialist will have a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental Science, with three years of work experience in management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts in infrastructure projects and with particular bias in managing protected areas – in forestry and wildlife sectors. In addition, the Specialist must be conversant with community engaging and participation in management of protected areas. 80 Annex 4: Incident Reporting Form Incident Reporting: Project-Related This form is to be used for reporting all incidents, as per commitments in the Environment and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP) (Note: It is important that incidences of child abuse and sexual harassment and severe criminality / social risks that may involve Project staff are documented and brought to attention of MWE for information and determination if further investigation is needed to avoid any possible negative consequences on the Project) 1 From: 2 Title 3 To: 4 Title / Organisation 5 Date of submission: 6 Date of re-submission 7 Details of Incidence 8 Incident No. (month/No) e.g. first fatal in October 9 Nature of Incident (e.g. Multiple Fatality) 10 Severity of incident 11 Who is the victim? 12 Name / Occupation of Project staff involved / suspected to be involved? (if known at this stage) 13 Date Incident Happened 14 Location of Incident 15 Date / Time Incident Reported to Contractor / Consultant 16 Details of Person(s) Who Reported 17 To Whom was incident Reported? 18 Mode of Reporting (verbal/written report) – if written attach report. 19 Details of the Incident (key facts pertaining to the incident and how it happened) 20 Who else was informed about this incident? 21 What Action (s) has been taken by Contractor / Consultant to address the problem? And When? Details of Actions By NFA / UWA Name / position of NFA or UWA staff incident was reported Comments / Recommendations for NFA / UWA staff for which Incident was first reported 2nd Name/Position / Department for which incident was reported to in MWE Comments / Follow up Action . Recommended. Indicative Incident Environmental Social Occupational Health & Safety 81 Small-volume hydrocarbon or Small-scale crop damage or Underuse of personal protective chemical spills livestock deaths equipment (PPE) by Works Contractor Localized dust, light, or noise Grievances due to Project use of Local increase in the occurrence of pollution public roads communicable disease Illegal hunting of wildlife (non- Project interference with locally Minor job site injuries endangered) significant practices or sites Small volume sediment, pesticide, Vehicle damage to public or private Poor “housekeeping� at site, e.g., or fertilizer run-off into local roads caused by Works Contractors littering and random disposal of waterways solid waste Minor off-site disposal of solid waste Nuisance-level contact between Lack of understandable warning or from Project employees and community traffic control signage Poor quality or delayed site Minor instances of Almost empty first aid kit at work restoration and revegetation inappropriate behavior of site security forces or other Poorly functioning erosion- control Overloading of local commercial Poorly organized or sporadic Contractor personnel measures services from use by Project personnel health & safety induction and Minor impacts on livelihood training Multiple “slip and trip� hazards restoration and/or access to throughout the site community natural resources Minor impacts on cultural Lack of Health & Safety plan sites/areas and/or training for staff Minor social conflict related to or affecting the Project Some problems with consultation/outreach about the Project Delays by GRM in handling/addressing grievances Serious Incidents Environmental Social Occupational Health & Safety Large-volume hydrocarbon or Widespread crop damage or Injury/ies requiring off-site chemical spills, or other hazardous livestock deaths medical attention substances impacting the Over-exploitation of local Cases of mistreatment of Instances of serious communicable environment natural resources communities potentially, including diseases among workforce vulnerable groups, by Project workers or security forces, including Large-volume or long-term sediment, Significant impacts incidents such to protected as sexual harassment Consistent lack of health & safety pesticide, or herbicide runoff into physical cultural resources plans and training at work site waterways Medium to large-scale Works have commenced without Chronic non-use of PPE at deforestation compensation and resettlement Project work site Lack of implementation of being completed Significant and repeated Repeated non-compliance or agreed environmental community impacts from failure to remedy non- restoration program Project vehicles and compliance construction activities Lack of clarity about consultations with Indigenous Peoples and broad community support for the Project GRM not functioning 82 Environmental Social Occupational Health & Safety Inadequate consultation and engagement of stakeholders in the Project leading to significant conflict and/or delays Non-violent community protests against the Project, or mild community unrest 83 Severe Incidents Environmental Social Health & Safety Hydrocarbon or chemical spills, or Forced evictions or resettlement of Any fatality release of other hazardous communities without due process or Permanent substances into the environment, compensation disability causing widespread impacts, and/or requiring Poachinglarge-scale remediation or hunting and Abuses of community members Outbreak of life threatening trafficking of threatened or (including vulnerable groups e.g., communicable disease endangered species women, children, youth, elderly, disabled/sick, LGBT) by site security Sediment, pesticide, or forces or other Significant Project damage workers, to nationally Criminal and political attacks at herbicide runoff causing protected but including limited notor areas to GBV World to UNESCO worksite permanent damage to Heritage sites waterways Destruction of internationally Human trafficking and child labor Forced labor by Project’s Works recognized critical habitat Contractor Major river contamination causing Violent community protests against Works Contractor is decimation of fish population or the Project unresponsive regarding ongoing other aquatic resources worksite risks of bodily injury Significant impacts on Indigenous Persistent non-compliance Peoples’ land/natural resources and/or and/or inability or unwillingness culture and there is no evidence of to remedy non-compliance that consultation, broad community support, could result in bodily injury or mitigation of harm and/or culturally harm Murders, kidnappings, appropriate benefit-sharing manslaughter and assaults, while criminal matters and not safeguards incidents per se, have occurred in Bank Projects and should be treated as severe incidents. These incidents would be referred to local authorities with notification to WB Security 84 Annex 5: Chance Finds Procedures Overview Cultural resources are important as sources of valuable historical and scientific information, as Assets for economic and social development, and as integral parts of people's cultural identity and practices. The loss of such resources is irreversible, but fortunately, it is often avoidable. The World Bank ESS8; Cultural heritage requires the Identification of stakeholders and carrying out of meaningful consultations with local or national authorities for cultural heritage. It further stipulates the need to attend to the chance finds and identify mitigation measures thereafter. Its objective is to 1) Protect cultural heritage from the adverse impacts of project activities and support its preservation, 2) Address cultural heritage as an integral aspect of sustainable development, 3) Promote meaningful consultation with stakeholders regarding cultural heritage. 4) Promote the equitable sharing of benefits from the use of cultural heritage. Protection of Cultural Heritage Cultural heritage in the project context includes cultural sites within and outside the forests, sites of significance points of view, and other defined assets and structures having archaeological, historical, architectural, or religious significance, and natural sites with cultural values. This also includes cemeteries, graveyards and graves. A systematic procedure for protection and treatment of discovered artefacts during project implementation will be taken according to the Ugandan cultural and national requirements, and an adequate provision for handling of chance finds will be included in all contracts for civil works Workers will be instructed to remain vigilant during excavation works, identify chance finds immediately and alert the site foreman. If the chance finds occur, they will be handled according to the Historical Monuments Act, Cap 46. Under the Act, any chance finds should be reported to the Department of Museums and Monuments (DoMM) of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Chief Administrative Officer. If the finds are not of interest to the DoMM, they should be reburied on a site set aside for such purpose. If they are unknown human remains, police need to be alerted and remains will be handled according to their instructions. All relocation and reburial costs shall be borne by the contractor. Chance Find Procedures Chance find procedures will be used as follows: a. Stop the project activities in the area of the chance find; b. Delineate the discovered site or area; c. Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects. In cases of removable antiquities or sensitive remains, a night guard shall be deployed until the responsible local authorities and the DoMM take over; d. Notify the project supervisor who in turn will notify the responsible local authorities and the National Museum immediately (within 24 hours or less); e. The local authorities and the National Museum will take charge of protecting and preserving the site in case the finds are of interest to the Department i. This would require a preliminary evaluation of the findings to be performed by the archaeologists of the National Museum (within 72 hours). The significance and importance of the findings should be assessed according to the various criteria relevant to cultural heritage; those include the aesthetic, historic, scientific or research, social and economic values; 85 ii. Decisions on how to handle the finding shall be taken by the responsible authorities and the National Museum. This could include changes in the layout (such as when finding an irremovable remain of cultural or archaeological importance) conservation, preservation, restoration and salvage; iii. The local authority/ National Museum decision concerning the management of the finding shall be communicated in writing by the National Museum; and iv. Findings will be recorded in World Bank Implementation Supervision Reports (ISRs), and Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) will assess the overall effectiveness of the project’s cultural property mitigation, management, and activities, as appropriate. v. Project works could resume after permission is given from the responsible local authorities and the National Museum concerning safeguard of the heritage; f. The above procedure when applicable must be referred to as standard provisions during the project activities and therefore site supervisors shall monitor the procedure for any chance find encountered during project activities g. If the finds are not of interest to the Department of Museums and Monuments, they should be reburied on a site set aside for such purpose and project works continue In case of Chance finds, the Implementing partners for the project will ensure that the chance finds procedure is adequately utilised and monitored. 86 Annex 6: Instructions for preparing a Health, Safety and Environment Management Plan (HSE-MP) 1) Within a specified period from signing the Contract, the Contractor shall prepare an HSE-MP to ensure the adequate management of the health, safety, environmental and social aspects of the works, including implementation of the requirements of these general conditions and any specific requirements of an ESMP for the works. The contractor’s EHS-MP will serve two main purposes: The contractor’s HSE-MP shall provide at least; ▪ a description of procedures and methods for complying with these general environmental management conditions, and any specific conditions specified in an ESMP; ▪ a description of specific mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimize adverse impacts; ▪ a description of all planned monitoring activities and the reporting thereof; and ▪ the internal organizational, management and reporting mechanisms put in place for such. 2) The contractor’s HSE-MP will be reviewed and approved by the Client before start of the works. This review should demonstrate if the contractor’s HSE-MP covers all of the identified impacts, and has defined appropriate measures to counteract any potential impacts HSE Reporting The Contractor shall prepare monthly progress reports to the Client on compliance with these general conditions, the sub- project ESMP if any, and his own HSE-MP. The contractor’s reports will include information on: HSE management actions/measures taken, including approvals sought from local or national authorities; (i) Problems encountered in relation to HSE aspects (incidents, including delays, cost consequences, etc. as a result thereof); (ii) Non-compliance with contract requirements on the part of the Contractor; (iii) Changes of assumptions, conditions, measures, designs and actual works in relation to HSE aspects; and (iv) Observations, concerns raised and/or decisions taken with regard to HSE management during site meetings. 3) The reporting of any significant HSE incidents shall be done as soon as practicable. Such incident reporting shall therefore, be done individually. The Contractor should keep his own records on health, safety and welfare of persons, and damage to property. It is advisable to include such records, as well as copies of incident reports, as appendixes to the monthly reports. Details of HSE performance will be reported to the Client. Training of Contractor’s Personnel 4) The Contractor shall provide sufficient training to its own personnel to ensure that they are all aware of the relevant aspects of these general conditions, any project ESMP, and its own HSE-MP, and are able to fulfil their expected roles and functions. Specific training will be provided to those employees that have particular responsibilities associated with the implementation of the HSE-MP. Training activities will be documented for potential review by the Client. Amongst other issues, training will include an awareness session for all employees on ▪ HIV-AIDS ▪ Sexual and Gender based violence ▪ Child labour ▪ Sexual Exploitation and Assault 87 Annex 7: Views of the community stakeholders that were consulted Table A7-1: Key Stakeholder Issues identified Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted 9th and 10th Do you think members of the Yes, the project will highly benefit the communities through December UWA and community within the project will Implementation by NFA NFA stakeholders benefit from the project? How? • Support to development of bee-based value chain Briefly explain. within 10 CFM groups, including provision of inputs and training of the communities on bee keeping, value addition, and business skills. • Support to communities for establishment of commercial tree nurseries, using mixed tree and fruit species (10 CFM groups). • Promotion and support to craft making projects among women groups, including training of women groups on craft making and business skills and provision them with craft inputs. For implementation by UWA: • Support established CRM groups with alternative wood and nutritional requirements, through establishment of mixed tree and fruit nursery in each PA for free seedling distribution and provision of inputs and training on rabbit farming; • Training of approximately five CRM groups in honey packaging and marketing from each PA. • Training of approximately two CRM groups from each PA in wood craft designs and market dynamics. • Training of 20 CRM group members from each PA in income generating practical skills. • Establishment and support to community wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside PAs. This will highly improve their source of livelihood and boost household incomes Is there an effective grievance Both UWA and NFA, under their Human Resource redress mechanism within the Department, have a dispute handling and resolution communities? mechanism that helps in resolving conflicts wherever they obtain such feedback. Notably both institutions have standing community-based committees to ensure expeditious handling of grievances at community level, and this is spearheaded by their community 88 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted conservation Department committees that been established to handle grievances at the field level. However, from the consultations held with UWA and NFA staff the composition and representation in terms of gender, age, level of education, livelihood source, vulnerability of the committees is well defined. Are there any possible potential There are no anticipated potential risks and impacts social conflict and risk that could envisaged that will be triggered as a result of project be triggered as a result of project implementation implementation? Do you think project Yes, for any project there is a highly likelihood of such implementation can trigger issues potential risks but the implementers have their staff sensitized of Sexual and gender-based and trained regarding sexual and gender-based violence and violence? If Yes, please explain. as such know how to relate and detect issues that need to be escalated and reported periodically as and when they happen. Do you think project During the meeting with the stakeholders, it was cited that implementation can trigger issues there are potential risks of child labor however, the TORs are of child labor and violence clear of what is expected from the service provider. against children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the Given the geographical scope of the project, there are potential for discriminatory impact certainly many special interest groups such as women and on particular groups of girls, PWDs, religious groups that could be omitted from the individuals? e.g. products or project unknowingly. However, the project will use its existing services are inaccessible to infrastructure to ensure that all relevant interest groups are certain disadvantaged groups– sensitized about the project and its associated benefits. women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Can the project have adverse Not any that is envisaged impacts on human rights such as civil, political, economic, social or cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of The project will engage the communities continuously, enhancing adequate public meaningfully and proportionately to ensure that information engagement and participation related to the project is fully disclosed during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing It is UWA policy to involve all stakeholders in all its activities stakeholder engagement and the process is well stipulated the GMPs. procedure for other similar projects? Do you think the project has the No, the project will have no land take. potential to cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts for instance related to 89 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted land tenure and access to resources? What would be the best possible Under UWA, the agreements will be signed by a developer mechanisms to manage and NFA will enter into community agreements community labour? Are there any sites of natural, There sites of cultural, spiritual and religious significance spiritual and cultural significance such Tooro-Semliki hot spring but this fall out of the project in the project area? If Yes, please scope. specify the location? Is the project located in proximity No of protected areas or other areas classified as vulnerable? Can the project cause disruption It is highly unlikely of wildlife migratory routes Can the project introduce alien No species Is the project likely to affect soil Soil erosion and siltation would take place during civil works, erosion, siltation or degradation? but they are expected to be minimal Will the project require Community based workers are going to be hired for the accommodation services for the project and therefore the need for accommodation isn’t workers? anticipated. Are there any safeguards Currently the existing of both NFA and UWA are equipped capacity building needs in the with basic social protection skills. However, if possible, RETF Project (Institutional level) acquainting them with social and environmental social safeguards knowledge specific to the WB ESF 2017 would help in augmenting their knowledge base and facilitate compliance with the expected standards during project implementation. 8th February, 2021 Do you think there are any There are no minority groups Kabaswiswi minority community that could Nyekundire Tree potentially be affected by this Planting Project project? If Yes, please describe Do you think residents within the All members will benefit because they have been working project will benefit from the together on many projects project? In your opinion do you think the The project will improve on the Livelihoods of the project might affect livelihoods of communities people living in the project area? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project The project is highly supported by the community implementation might have opposition from the communities where the implementation is going to take place? Do you think project No, the project will provide increased livelihood and therefore implementation might cause reduced conflict. poverty? Is there an effective grievance Grievances raised in the project can be handled effectively redress mechanism within the through meetings. communities? Highlight some of the specific Lack of transparency, corruption and poor sensitization on 90 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted issues that may trigger conflict the project among others during implementation of the project Do you think project There an HR manual from both NFA and UWA will be used to implementation can trigger issues handle issues on GBV and SEA. of Sexual and gender-based violence? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project No implementation can trigger issues of child labor and violence against children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the No, the project will have to consider all in groups during the potential for discriminatory impact implementation. on particular groups of individuals? e.g., products or services are inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate The project will give equal opportunity to women and girls against women and girls based and have measures such as a gender and equity plan in on gender especially regarding place to safeguards against in form of discrimination. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g., employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse No, the project being inclusive and non –discriminative, impacts on human rights such as human rights will remain key civil, political, economic, social or cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of Continuous and regular stakeholder engagements with enhancing adequate public stakeholders engagement and participation during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing Planning meetings with project leaders and local leaders stakeholder engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the There will be no land acquisition hence there will be no potential to cause social impacts related to land tenure and access to resources by problems and exacerbate members of the community conflicts for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Project implementation has the Community based labour is going to be used for this project, potential to trigger labour influx therefore there will be no issues related to in-migration and 91 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted and in-migration in project areas. labour influx and a labour management plan has been What would be the best possible developed and will be used to manage the workers mechanisms to manage human capital Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted 9th and 10th Do you think members of the Yes, the project will highly benefit the communities through December UWA and community within the project will Implementation by NFA NFA stakeholders benefit from the project? How? • Support to development of bee-based value chain Briefly explain. within 10 CFM groups, including provision of inputs and training of the communities on bee keeping, value addition, and business skills. • Support to communities for establishment of commercial tree nurseries, using mixed tree and fruit species (10 CFM groups). • Promotion and support to craft making projects among women groups, including training of women groups on craft making and business skills and provision them with craft inputs. For implementation by UWA: • Support established CRM groups with alternative wood and nutritional requirements, through establishment of mixed tree and fruit nursery in each PA for free seedling distribution and provision of inputs and training on rabbit farming; • Training of approximately five CRM groups in honey packaging and marketing from each PA. • Training of approximately two CRM groups from each PA in wood craft designs and market dynamics. • Training of 20 CRM group members from each PA in income generating practical skills. • Establishment and support to community wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside PAs. This will highly improve their source of livelihood and boost household incomes Is there an effective grievance Both UWA and NFA, under their Human Resource redress mechanism within the Department, have a dispute handling and resolution communities? mechanism that helps in resolving conflicts wherever they obtain such feedback. Notably both institutions have standing community-based committees to ensure expeditious handling of grievances at community level, and this is spearheaded by their community conservation Department committees that been established 92 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted to handle grievances at the field level. However, from the consultations held with UWA and NFA staff the composition and representation in terms of gender, age, level of education, livelihood source, vulnerability of the committees is well defined. Are there any possible potential There are no anticipated potential risks and impacts social conflict and risk that could envisaged that will be triggered as a result of project be triggered as a result of project implementation implementation? Do you think project Yes, for any project there is a highly likelihood of such implementation can trigger issues potential risks but the implementers have their staff sensitized of Sexual and gender-based and trained regarding sexual and gender based violence and violence? If Yes, please explain. as such know how to relate and detect issues that need to be taken escalated and reported periodically as and when they happen. Do you think project During the meeting with the stakeholders, it was cited that implementation can trigger issues there are potential risks of child labor however, the TORs are of child labor and violence clear of what is expected from the service provider. against children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the Given the geographical scope of the project, there are potential for discriminatory impact certainly many special interest groups such as women and on particular groups of girls, PWDs, religious groups that could be omitted from the individuals? e.g. products or project unknowingly. However, the project will use its existing services are inaccessible to infrastructure to ensure that all relevant interest groups are certain disadvantaged groups– sensitized about the project and its associated benefits. women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Can the project have adverse Not any that is envisaged impacts on human rights such as civil, political, economic, social or cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of The project will engage the communities continuously, enhancing adequate public meaningfully and proportionately to ensure that information engagement and participation related to the project is fully disclosed during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing It is UWA policy to involve all stakeholders in all its activities stakeholder engagement and the process is well stipulated the GMPs. procedure for other similar projects? Do you think the project has the No, the project will have no land take. potential to cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? 93 Date of consultation Issues raised Responses and person consulted What would be the best possible Under UWA, the agreements will be signed by a developer mechanisms to manage and NFA will enter into community agreements community labour? Are there any sites of natural, There sites of cultural, spiritual and religious significance spiritual and cultural significance such Tooro-Semliki hot spring but this fall out of the project in the project area? If Yes, please scope. specify the location? Is the project located in proximity No of protected areas or other areas classified as vulnerable? Can the project cause disruption It is highly unlikely of wildlife migratory routes Can the project introduce alien No species Is the project likely to affect soil Soil erosion and siltation would take place during civil works, erosion, siltation or degradation? but they are expected to be minimal Will the project require Community based workers are going to be hired for the accommodation services for the project and therefore the need for accommodation isn’t workers? anticipated. Are there any safeguards Currently the existing of both NFA and UWA are equipped capacity building needs in the with basic social protection skills. However, if possible, RETF Project (Institutional level) acquainting them with social and environmental social safeguards knowledge specific to the WB ESF 2017 would help in augmenting their knowledge base and facilitate compliance with the expected standards during project implementation. 10th February, 2020 Do you think there are any minority and There are no minority groups Ndakara Nyakiynja marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) CFM group, Kidoma community that could potentially be affected by Conservation and this project? Development If yes, please describe Association. Do you think residents within the project will The project will help in improving oh household benefit from the project? income It will also improve on the infrastructure of the landscape. There will be improvement on Eco- Tourism industry In your opinion do you think the project might The project will help in improving oh household affect livelihoods of people living in the project income. area? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation might have The project is highly supported by the community opposition from the communities where the implementation is going to take place? Do you think project implementation might cause No, the project will provide increased livelihood 94 poverty? and therefore reduced conflict. Is there an effective grievance redress The committee has a grievance committee that mechanism within the communities? handles grievances in the project area. They also work hand in hand with the local leaders at the village level. Highlight some of the specific issues that may Lack of transparency, corruption and poor trigger conflict during implementation of the sensitization on the project among others project Do you think project implementation can trigger There an HR manual from both NFA and UWA issues of Sexual and gender- based violence? If will be used to handle issues on GBV and SEA. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger issues of child labor and violence against children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for No, the project will have to consider all in groups discriminatory impact on particular groups of during the implementation. individuals? e.g., products or services are inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women and girls based on gender especially regarding participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, the project being inclusive and non – rights such as civil, political, economic, social or discriminative, human rights will remain key cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Continuous and regular stakeholder adequate public engagement and participation engagements with stakeholders during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Planning meetings with project leaders and local engagement plan for the project? leaders Do you think the project has the potential to cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Cultural and Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There is a family of chimpanzee that its habitat Paleontological sites cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, needs to be protected. please specify the location They also spiritual rituals such as Kyasanduka. 15th February, 2021 Do you think there are any minority and The area has no minority groups Kasyoha Kitomi marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) Bata Group, Kacafa, community that could potentially be affected by Budongo, Kabwoya this project? Environmental If yes, please describe Conservation Do you think residents within the project will There will be employment opportunities Association, Bunca benefit from the project? Budongo In your opinion do you think the project might There will be more access to forests products affect livelihoods of people living in the project and services. area? If Yes, please explain. Income through employment Do you think project implementation might have No, the communities have been sensitized about opposition from the communities where the the project and we hope that there will be no 95 implementation is going to take place? resilience. Do you think project implementation might cause This is not a likely impact poverty? Is there an effective grievance redress The project will set up a GRC to handle grievance mechanism within the communities? related concerns. Highlight some of the specific issues that may Bad influence from some of the community trigger conflict during implementation of the members about the project. project Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, some men within the communities do not issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If allow their wives to attend project meetings. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, if the child protection Plan is not put into issues of child labor and violence against place, child labor is likely to happen. children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Trainings and meetings about the project should adequate public engagement and participation be regular during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to Clear boundaries of the project area should be cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts spelt out. for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There are no such sites in the project area cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, please specify the location 16th February, 2021 Do you think there are any minority and The area has no minority groups Kidoma marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) Conservation and community that could potentially be affected by Development this project? Association If yes, please describe Do you think residents within the project will There will be employment opportunities benefit from the project? In your opinion do you think the project might There will be more access to forests products affect livelihoods of people living in the project and services. area? If Yes, please explain. Income through employment Do you think project implementation might have No, the communities have been sensitized about opposition from the communities where the the project and we hope that there will be no implementation is going to take place? resilience. 96 Do you think project implementation might cause This is not a likely impact poverty? Is there an effective grievance redress The project will set up a GRC to handle grievance mechanism within the communities? related concerns. Highlight some of the specific issues that may Bad influence from some of the community trigger conflict during implementation of the members about the project. project Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, some men within the communities do not issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If allow their wives to attend project meetings. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, if the child protection Plan is not put into issues of child labor and violence against place, child labor is likely to happen. children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Trainings and meetings about the project should adequate public engagement and participation be regular during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to Clear boundaries of the project area should be cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts spelt out. for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There are no such sites in the project area cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, please specify the location Bio- diversity Is the project located in proximity of protected It is near Bugoma Central Forest reserve areas or other areas classified as vulnerable Can the project introduce alien species There is a possibility of introducing alien species and therefore the project should emphasize the use of indigenous species 16th February 2021 Do you think there are any minority and The area has no minority groups Wabambya Forest marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) Conservation community that could potentially be affected by Development, this project? Mpanga Forest If yes, please describe Conservation Development Do you think residents within the project will There is hope that there is interest loans to benefit from the project? farmers. 97 In your opinion do you think the project might Anticipated standard of living in the project area affect livelihoods of people living in the project area? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation might have No, the communities have been sensitized about opposition from the communities where the the project and we hope that there will be no implementation is going to take place? resilience. Do you think project implementation might cause Poverty levels are likely to be decreased poverty? Is there an effective grievance redress The project will set up a GRC to handle grievance mechanism within the communities? related concerns. Highlight some of the specific issues that may Bad influence from some of the community trigger conflict during implementation of the members about the project. project Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, some men within the communities do not issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If allow their wives to attend project meetings. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, if the child protection Plan is not put into issues of child labor and violence against place, child labor is likely to happen. children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing There are unclear forest boundaries adequate public engagement and participation during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to Clear boundaries of the project area should be cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts spelt out. for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and Muhangaizima area for worshipping cultural cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, “gods� before hunting please specify the location 15th February, 2021 Do you think there are any minority and The area has no minority groups marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) NECODA, SEDA community that could potentially be affected by Groups this project? If yes, please describe Do you think residents within the project will The communities will acquire knowledge on tree benefit from the project? planting, bee- keeping which will improve on their livelihood 98 In your opinion do you think the project might Improvement in protected areas which will affect livelihoods of people living in the project facilitate clean water and reduced climate change area? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation might have No, the communities have been sensitized about opposition from the communities where the the project and we hope that there will be no implementation is going to take place? resilience. Do you think project implementation might cause No, the project is likely to improve on the poverty? community’s standard of living Is there an effective grievance redress The project will set up a GRC to handle grievance mechanism within the communities? related concerns. Highlight some of the specific issues that may All communities need to be sensitized about the trigger conflict during implementation of the communities and inclusion of all including the project vulnerable groups. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, this is likely to occur if both couples are not issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If engaged in the project implementation. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, if the child protection Plan is not put into issues of child labor and violence against place, child labor is likely to happen and therefore children? If Yes, please explain. clear policies should be put in place Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Trainings and meetings about the project should adequate public engagement and participation be regular during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to Clear boundaries of the project area should be cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts spelt out. for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There are no such sites in the project area cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, please specify the location Do you think there are any minority and The area has no minority groups marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) community that could potentially be affected by this project? If yes, please describe Do you think residents within the project will There will be employment opportunities benefit from the project? In your opinion do you think the project might There will be more access to forests products 99 affect livelihoods of people living in the project and services. area? If Yes, please explain. Income through employment Do you think project implementation might have No, the communities have been sensitized about opposition from the communities where the the project and we hope that there will be no implementation is going to take place? resilience. Do you think project implementation might cause This is not a likely impact poverty? Is there an effective grievance redress The project will set up a GRC to handle grievance mechanism within the communities? related concerns. Highlight some of the specific issues that may Bad influence from some of the community trigger conflict during implementation of the members about the project. project Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, some men within the communities do not issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If allow their wives to attend project meetings. Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, if the child protection Plan is not put into issues of child labor and violence against place, child labor is likely to happen. children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Trainings and meetings about the project should adequate public engagement and participation be regular during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to Clear boundaries of the project area should be cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts spelt out. for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There are no such sites in the project area cultural significance in the project area. I f yes, please specify the location Is the project located in proximity of protectedNo, there is no known protected area under areas or other areas classified as vulnerable NECODA but SEDA the project is located near Budongo CFR Can the project introduce alien species There is a possibility of introducing alien species and therefore the project should emphasize the use of indigenous species 24th February 2021 Do you think there are any minority and No, there are no minority groups Bugungu Wildlife marginalized groups (such as the Batwa) reserve, Nyamiranga community that could potentially be affected by 100 Association Bee this project? keeping Association If yes, please describe Do you think residents within the project will Communities are willing to implement the project benefit from the project? In your opinion do you think the project might Communities will engage in bee keeping which affect livelihoods of people living in the project will improve on their livelihood area? If Yes, please explain. Do you think project implementation might have None has been envisaged opposition from the communities where the implementation is going to take place? Do you think project implementation might cause It is likely to reduce poverty poverty? Is there an effective grievance redress mechanism within the communities? Highlight some of the specific issues that may Yes, in case there is no gender balance trigger conflict during implementation of the project Do you think project implementation can trigger Yes, it is likely to trigger GBV in case some issues of Sexual and gender-based violence? If women are employed and their husbands are Yes, please explain. against the idea and therefore there is need for massive sensitization Do you think project implementation can trigger No likelihood issues of child labor and violence against children? If Yes, please explain. Do you think this project has the potential for All members of the communities will have equal discriminatory impact on particular groups of access to services associated with the project individuals? e.g., products or services are implementation. inaccessible to certain disadvantaged groups– women and girls, PWDs, ethnic minorities, religious groups? If Yes, please explain. Would the project discriminate against women The nature of work involved in the project may and girls based on gender especially regarding favor the men most especially. participation in design and implementation or access to benefits and opportunities e.g. employment, provision of services? Can the project have adverse impacts on human No, all stakeholders need to be involved at all rights such as civil, political, economic, social or levels during project implementation. cultural of people who interact with it especially marginalized groups? What would be the best way of enhancing Trainings and meetings about the project should adequate public engagement and participation be regular during project design and implementation? Do you have any existing stakeholder Yes. engagement plan for the project? Do you think the project has the potential to No cause social problems and exacerbate conflicts for instance related to land tenure and access to resources? Are there are sites of natural, spiritual and There are no such sites in the project area cultural significance in the project area. If yes, please specify the location 101