11. ensure the rights of owners genetic resources and of the intangible components 12. establish and maintain a depository for MTA and AA 13. in collaboration with relevant Lead Agencies receive, evaluate, accept or deny applications for AGR 14. Issue Access Permits 15. amend, suspend, nullify or terminate Access Permits and arrange their cancellation, as the case may be, in keeping with the terms of those contracts, the Regulations 16. ensure that Uganda keeps representative samples and specimen of genetic resources collected under the Regulations and approve the depository 17. establish general procedures for accessing AGR information and determine fees to be charged for access to AGR information in consultation with NEMA 18. implement an integrated training program in collaboration with other stakeholders 19. ensure compliance from those accessing resources as far as technology transfer and information exchange is concerned 20. submit reports relating to AGR to NEMA 2.2.3 Lead Agencies The Lead Agencies are responsible for the management and regulation of AGR under their mandate. There are instances where shared responsibilities occur for example where fisheries resources occur in wildlife protected areas or forest reserves overlap with national parks. In such instances, the Lead Agency with the legal mandate over a particular resource will sign the MTA, in consultation with the other lead agency that has the overlapping mandate. For example UWA has mandate over wildlife, Fisheries Department over fish resources, Department of Agriculture over plant resources, etc. The responsibilities of the Lead Agencies in general include but are not limited to: 1. reviewing applications and advising UNCST on whether consent or access should be allowed 2. ensuring protection of the rights of the local communities 3. verifying compliance with consent requirements 4. ensuring conclusion of Accessory Agreements 5. establishment of depositories for representative samples or specimen of genetic materials taken out of Uganda 6. establishing procedures for accessing AGR information under the Lead Agency’s management 2.2.4 CITES Scientific and Management Authorities CITES is a convention that brings together biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade. It recognises the need to regulate access to wildlife resources that is aimed at economic benefit through trade. It further recognises the ever-increasing value of wild fauna and flora and highlights the need to protect them and the importance of having international cooperation for this to happen. It points out the need for instituting appropriate measures and has elaborate provisions of a technical and facilitative nature. Uganda acceded to the convention on 18th July 1991 and it came into force on the 16th October 1991. In Uganda, the implementation of CITES depends on the wildlife legislation and customs regulations which, among others provide for grant of permits, penalties and other related matters specific to CITES-listed species. In the context of the institutional arrangement for CITES enforcement, there is the CITES Scientific and the CITES Management Authorities. The CITES Management Authority for Uganda is the Commissioner for Wildlife in the Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry while the Scientific Authority for wildlife is the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and that for plants is the Commissioner for Forestry in the Ministry of Water and Environment. The functions of the CITES Scientific Authority under these Guidelines include: Guidelines for Access to Genetic Resources and Benefits Sharing  5