During and following Amin's administration, however, considerable environmental degradation occurred as a direct consequence of the political and civil circumstances. This report begins with a description of Ugandan environmental institutions, policies, research, legislation, and educational opportunities. It then assesses the state of the environment, providing an inventory of natural resources as well as information on industry, demography, and urbanization. The report concludes that the Ugandan population has become apathetic to many environmental issues, notably those that pertain to wildlife and the sanctity of protected and forested areas. Furthermore, the civil strife has withdrawn money from the economy which may otherwise have been used for environmental improvement, particularly in the urban centers which now suffer from severely underfunded services such as potable water and sanitation.
Wastewater treatment is minimal in Kampala and virtually nonexistent elsewhere.
In rural areas, population pressure has forced the colonization of marginal lands, leading to high levels of deforestation and soil erosion. An increasing demand for fuelwood adds to this problem, and the loss of all forest resources by the turn of the century is possible.