Institutional arrangements for the governance of Manafwa catchment in Uganda: a policy arrangement approach

Catchments are vital ecosystems that support the livelihoods of dependent communities, yet effective governance is essential for maintaining their structural and functional integrity. Globally, catchments face increasing threats from land-use changes, population pressures, and climate variability, as exemplified by the Manafwa catchment in Eastern Uganda. This paper examined the institutional arrangements for governing Manafwa catchment, using the Policy Arrangements Approach, which analyses policy processes through four interconnected dimensions: rules of the game, actors, resources, and discourse, thereby enhancing understanding of how institutional design influences catchment governance. Data were collected through document analysis of policies, laws, and regulations, as well as structured interviews with purposively selected actors. Results revealed a complex institutional landscape characterised by multiple actors, overlapping mandates, and funding gaps. Therefore, there is a need to establish legally recognised institutions with clear mandates to manage catchments and to explore alternative sustainable funding mechanisms to improve policy implementation and sustainability.