Stopping Ecocide in Uganda: A Call for Legal Transformation to Protect Our Environment
Dhikusooka Ernest is a Stop Ecocide International Student Ambassador and a student in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies at Cavendish University, Uganda.
As a Ugandan Stop Ecocide Ambassador, I am driven by a deep love for our country’s lush forests, vibrant wetlands, and shimmering lakes. From the mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to endangered mountain gorillas, to the life-giving waters of Lake Victoria, Uganda’s natural heritage is a treasure. Yet, it faces relentless threats: deforestation, wetland destruction, and risky oil projects—to name a few.
These acts, or the worst examples of them, could be considered ecocide—the mass destruction of ecosystems that sustain life. By recognising ecocide as a crime, Uganda can become a leading light in Africa when it comes to protecting our planet for future generations. In this blog, I explore what ecocide means, why it matters for Uganda, and how we can make ecocide law a reality.
What is Ecocide?
The consensus definition of ecocide, formulated by the 2021 Independent Expert Panel , refers to “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment”. This definition positions ecocide as a potential fifth international crime under the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
Unlike existing environmental laws, which often impose fines that corporations treat as a cost of doing business, ecocide law would hold the most senior individuals—such as CEOs or political leaders—criminally accountable for mass environmental harm.
The concept marks a legal renaissance, shifting from an anthropocentric view that prioritises human gain to an ecocentric one that values the protection of ecosystems (including us humans) as an end in itself. Globally, countries like Belgium and France have passed ecocide laws, while proposed ecocide legislation is advancing in Peru, French Polynesia, and Scotland, among many other countries.
At the European level, the Council of Europe has introduced the first ever treaty criminalising acts ‘tantamount to ecocide’, while European Union nations are in the process of bringing their legislation into line with the EU’s revised Environmental Crime Directive criminalising qualified offences that can be ‘comparable to ecocide’. In Africa, states recently agreed to make ecocide a top strategic continental priority for 2025-27, while Burundi and the Republic of Congo have endorsed criminalisation.
Meanwhile, nations like the Republic of Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and the Democratic Republic of Congo push for the inclusion of ecocide in the ICC’s Rome Statute through the proposed amendment formally tabled in September 2024. Uganda, with its rich biodiversity and environmental challenges, has a unique opportunity to join this movement.
Ecocide in Uganda: A Growing Crisis
Uganda’s environment is under siege. Between 2001 and 2020, our country lost 13% of its primary forest cover due to the failure to curb illegal logging, aggressive agricultural expansion, and urbanisation. Bugoma Forest, a critical habitat for chimpanzees, has been decimated for sugarcane plantations, while Mabira Forest – the largest tropical forest in the country - faces similar threats.
Uganda has lost 13% of its primary forest cover in the last two decades. Credit: Keith Kasaija/ Unsplash.
Wetlands, which cover 11% of Uganda’s land and provide water, food, and flood protection, are disappearing at an alarming rate—25% have been degraded in the last two decades. In the Albertine Graben, oil projects like Tilenga and Kingfisher threaten Lake Albert’s ecosystems, risking pollution that could devastate fishing communities and biodiversity.
These acts of mass environmental harm have major cascading effects; they threaten livelihoods, water security, and Uganda’s ability to combat climate change. For example, deforestation significantly increases Uganda’s greenhouse gas emissions, undermining our legal obligations. In terms of livelihoods, indigenous peoples and farmers have borne the brunt through the loss of access to land and resources. As a young Ugandan, I see these losses not just as environmental tragedies but as threats to our cultural heritage and future.
Why Ecocide Law Matters for Uganda
Uganda’s current environmental laws, like the National Environment Act of 2019, are a step forward but lack the teeth to deter large-scale destruction. Fines are often inadequate, and enforcement is inconsistent. Ecocide law would change this by:
Ensuring Accountability: Corporate leaders and policymakers could face prison for knowingly causing environmental harm, creating a strong deterrent.
Protecting Communities: By safeguarding ecosystems, ecocide law would secure livelihoods for millions of Ugandans who depend on forests, wetlands, and lakes.
Advancing Sustainable Development: Aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040, ecocide law would promote green growth and resilience against climate change.
Setting a Regional Precedent: As a leader in the East African Community, Uganda could inspire neighbours like Kenya and Tanzania to adopt similar laws.
Globally, ecocide law is gaining traction and Uganda, with its history of environmental activism and international engagement, can be a trailblazer in Africa.
The Kazinga Channel, a protected wetland area – Uganda’s wetlands have been degraded at a rate of 25% in the last 20 years. Credit: Lisa Stockton/ Unsplash.
How Uganda Can Adopt Ecocide Law
Adopting ecocide law in Uganda requires action at multiple levels, and as a Stop Ecocide Ambassador, I’m committed to driving this change. Here’s how we can make it happen:
National Action
Legislative Reform: Advocate for ecocide to be incorporated into Uganda’s Penal Code, following Chile’s model. Parliamentarians, especially those in the Climate Change Committee, can champion an ecocide bill.
Strengthen Enforcement: Empower the National Environment Management Authority to prosecute ecocide cases, ensuring robust implementation.
Public Awareness: Organise mobilisations, like the global Walk for Earth, to educate Ugandans about ecocide. Universities, churches, and community groups can host talks to build momentum.
International Advocacy
Support ICC Inclusion: Uganda, as an ICC member state, can join Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and the DRC in pushing to amend the Rome Statute to include ecocide. This would elevate environmental crimes to the global stage.
Regional Leadership: Work through the East African Community to promote ecocide law across East Africa, creating a unified front for environmental justice.
Diplomatic Engagement: As a student of International Relations, I see the power of diplomacy. Uganda can raise the criminalisation of ecocide at UN forums like COP or the ICC Assembly of States Parties.
A Call to Action
The time to act is now. Uganda’s ecosystems are at a tipping point, but ecocide law offers hope—a chance to hold destroyers accountable and protect our planet for future generations. As a Stop Ecocide Ambassador, I urge you to:
Join the Movement: Sign up to the Student Ambassadors network here.
Raise Awareness: Share this blog and talk to your community about ecocide.
Together, we can make Uganda a leader in stopping ecocide, ensuring that our forests, wetlands, and lakes thrive for generations to come. Let’s transform our laws and our future—starting today.