Water Act 1995 (Cap 152).

The Water Act (Cap. 152) in Uganda serves as the principal framework law for the management, use, protection, and control of the country's water resources and supply. Its main objective is to promote the rational management and sustainable use of water, ensuring a clean, safe, and sufficient supply for domestic purposes for all citizens. All rights to investigate, control, protect, and manage water are vested in the Government, exercised through the responsible Minister and the Director of Water Development. The Act provides for the establishment of a Water Policy Committee to assist the Minister in coordinating water-related activities and preparing the National Water Action Plan, which is binding on all persons and public authorities.
The Act regulates the use of water by requiring individuals and businesses to obtain water permits for activities like abstraction and construction of works, with certain general rights reserved for temporary or domestic use. It also emphasizes the control of water pollution, setting standards for water quality and prohibiting the discharge of pollutants into water bodies. Furthermore, the Act provides for the constitution of water and sewerage authorities, such as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) under separate legislation, and facilitates the devolution of water supply and sewerage undertakings to ensure efficient provision of these services.
The text of the Statute consists of 107 sections divided into 4 Parts: Preliminary (I); Water Resources (II); Water Supply and Sewerage (III); General Miscellaneous (IV). Sections of Part II and Part III are divided into 14 Divisions: Rights in Water and Water Administration (1); Water Resources Planning (2); Hydraulic Works and Uses of Water (3); Revision, Variation and Cancellation of Water Permits (4); Waste Discharge Permits (5); Miscellaneous Provisions for Part II (6); Water and Sewerage Areas and Authorities, and User Groups and Associations (7); Water Supply (8); Public and Private Sewerage Works (9); Trade Waste Agreements (10); Standards of Workmanship (11); General Powers of Authorities (12); Commercial Powers and Financial Provisions (13); Miscellaneous for Part III (14).