Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST):

• Competent authority for managing access permits and monitoring compliance.
• The primary regulatory authority overseeing the implementation of access and benefit-sharing (ABS) procedures.
• Responsible for issuing access permits, ensuring compliance, and coordinating with other agencies.
• Facilitates guidance to applicants regarding requirements and documentation.

Lead Agencies:

• Include Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and National Forestry Authority (NFA), responsible for managing protected areas.
• Manage access to genetic resources within their jurisdiction, such as protected areas and forest reserves.
• Collaborate with UNCST to enforce sustainable practices and adherence to regulations.

Local and Indigenous Communities:

• Custodians of genetic resources, particularly within traditional lands and ancestral territories.
• Hold custodial rights and participate in benefit-sharing agreements.
• Essential for granting Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and negotiating benefit-sharing agreements.
• Actively involved in ensuring fair use and protection of their traditional knowledge and resources.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Authorities:

• Ensure adherence to international conventions for protected species. Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities is the CITES management authority in Uganda.
• Monitor compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Regulate the access and trade of genetic resources from species listed under CITES.
• Collaborate with UNCST and lead agencies to prevent exploitation of endangered species.