1. Advising the CITES Management Authority or Lead Agencies on matters relating to the issuance of CITES export, re-export or import permits or certificates 2. recommending species that may be traded in or offered for sale nationally or internationally 3. in consultation with the Lead Agencies, monitoring the population of wild fauna and flora in trade or offered for trade The functions of CITES the Management Authority under these Guidelines include: 1. convening meetings of the Scientific Authorities 2. issuing CITES export, re-export and import permits or certificates 3. preparing CITES annual reports 4. communicating with CITES Secretariat, Parties to the Convention or other lead agencies or persons performing similar or related functions 2.2.5 Local Government The District is the basic unit of local government administration in accordance with the Constitution. Lower councils (Local Councils IV, III, II and I) act as and play the role of lead agencies at that level. These local institutions shall be empowered to assist the local community in negotiating the MTAs and providing them with the required information. The local councils shall also be required to guide applicants or resource owners as to which lead agencies to approach in case of uncertainty for example: 1. UWA for access to wildlife species 2. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) for forestry related access 3. Department of Agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries) for access to and export of plant related resources (apart from trees) 4. Fisheries Department for management of access to Uganda’s fisheries resource 5. National Agricultural Research Organisationfor access to and export of Soil samples (soil based biodiversity) 2.2.6 Resource Owners Resource owners have direct control over access to the resources they own. They are empowered to: 1. give PIC for AGR, on a voluntary basis and charge fees for it 2. enter into accessory agreements with applicants for AGR of Uganda for purposes of enabling the applicant to proceed with the application for an Access Permit 3. allow access to the resources once the applicant presents an Access Permit Resource owners may also charge the applicant directly for the resources that are accessed on their land once an Access Permit has been issued to the applicant by UNCST. These charges must be agreed and included in the MTA. 2.2.7 Research Institutions Research institutions are empowered to: 1. carry out research that feeds into effective management of AGR 2. ensure information gained under their mandate is made available to the public as much as possible 3. ensure that research activities do not impede, in any way, the continuation of traditional use of genetic resources Guidelines for Access to Genetic Resources and Benefits Sharing  6