By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Dr. Barirega Akankwasa has been appointed the new Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), replacing Dr. Tom Okurut whose contract expired last month after serving for 10years.
Dr. Akankwasa has been the Acting Commissioner for Wildlife Conservation at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
According to sources, Akankwasa’s appointment came after outcompeting a couple of other applicants including Deputy NEMA ED Christine Akello thus scooping his first year contract that takes effect from September 2021.
Meanwhile, Akankwasa’s appointment news has been confirmed by NEMA via Twitter noting thus; ”BREAKING NEWS Dr. Akankwasah Barirega has been appointed as our new Executive Director. Appointment takes effect on September 1, 2021. Welcome aboard ABarirega.”
BREAKING NEWS ⚡🗯💥⚡:
Dr. Akankwasah Barirega has been appointed as our new Executive Director. Appointment takes effect on September 1, 2021.
Welcome aboard @ABarirega. pic.twitter.com/CLZ2wnZy1Y— National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) (@nemaug) August 4, 2021
According to the National Environment Act, 2019, the Executive Director shall serve for a period of five years and is eligible for re- appointment for one more term.
Akankwasa holds Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environment and Natural Resources Management Activities and Societies from Makerere University.
In February 2020, he was elected Vice President of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wildlife (CMS). He was elected during the 13th meeting of the conference of the parties to the convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in Gandhi agar, India.
