tion to incorporate NEIC into the information unit of the ting the EIN concept up and running. An Expert Working
proposed environmental authority. Prior to that, a review Group (EWG) was established to review the issues identi-
to redefine the role of the NEIC was undertaken in April fied during the NEAP process as areas of major concern
1995. NEIC was eventually incorporated into NEMA in and come up with priority datasets that would support an
July 1995 and the final structure of NEMA was completed action plan to address those issues. One of the findings
by December 1995. was that although some datasets were critical for particu-
The 1995 review identified a number of elements that
were considered crucial for the successful development
Box 2. Impact of the SOE 1994
of a program to integrate EIS into the development proc-
ess in Uganda. The key elements of this program includ-
With the production of the first SOE in 1994, the document
ed the development of:
quickly became one of the most anticipated products from
NEMA. It has gained a reputation as a report with accurate
an Environment Information Network (EIN) at nation-
and scientifically-based information. An evaluation of its im-
al and district levels;
pact carried out in 1995 highlighted the following:
a strategy for integrating environment information into
It had raised awareness of citizens to the state of their en-
the development planning process; and
vironment,
a training program in support of the Environment In- It quickly became a standard reference document for me-
formation Network at the national and district levels.
dia and private sector work, public awareness and formal
educational purposes,
The review also assessed the environment information
It provided the factual basis for various development
management capacity within 21 different institutions. To
plans, programmes and policy, as well as the retrospective
differing extents, all the institutions surveyed were found
assessment of existing or past government policy,
to manage environment information in fulfilment of
It enhanced the profile of NEIC in Africa with some coun-
tries like Lesotho and Gambia seeking technical assistance
their mandates. Some of them had functional documen-
in preparing their own reports,
tation centres while others even had IT capability. The
It became a ‘must-have’ document, as indicated by the
procedures for data collection were mostly well defined,
willingness to pay an equivalent of US$ 10 for a copy.
but those for analysis, processing and archiving differed.
Some institutions were not aware of the data holdings in
Source: NEMA 1995
other establishments and this in some cases led to dupli-
cation of efforts or poor compatibility between datasets.
Box 3. Characteristics of the EIN
As a solution, it was proposed that a national metadata-
base be developed. A metadatabase is a database with in-
The EIN operates as a network of members with open lines
formation on other existing databases. It guides users on
of communication between all and with each member an
equal partner.
what data exists, acquisition dates, formats, geographical
Membership is open to all, although the initial emphasis
coverage, where they are hosted and the access require-
was to ensure involvement of large data producing govern-
ments. In late 1995, a metadata tool developed by the
ment agencies and more recently, major data users.
UNEP Global Resource Information Database (GRID)
The network provides a forum for communication on a
was installed and used for this purpose (Martin 1996). range of technical, institutional and policy issues relating
to the availability, dissemination and use of environmental
The results of the review were presented to the first Na-
information.
tional Workshop on Environment Information Network-
NEMA is the secretariat whose key functions include coor-
ing held in March 1996. Representatives from the 21
dinating the activities of the network and budgeting.
institutions surveyed were in attendance. The meeting
The secretariat is not envisaged as a repository of data i.e.
endorsed the establishment of an Environmental Infor-
network members which are data producers remain in to-
tal control of their own data. Metadata activities enhance
mation Network (EIN) with a clear institutional frame-
access to the data.
work and characteristics (see Box 3). It also endorsed
The network builds awareness of information manage-
NEMA’s role as the network convenor.
ment needs and issues, capacity development, promotion
of standards, and elaboration of data release policies by
The workshop further recommended the use of working the data producing institutions.
groups to tackle issues that were considered key to get-
The Uganda Case Study 7
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