Leaders from East African Community (EAC) Partner States have called for stronger regional cooperation and collective action to conserve and protect Lake Victoria.
The leaders stated that the lake is a lifeline for millions of people across East Africa, and efforts must be combined to ensure its safe existence.
Speaking during the inaugural Lake Victoria Day celebrations at the Nane Nane Grounds in Mwanza, Tanzania, the leaders emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the lake from mounting threats such as pollution, environmental degradation, overfishing, and climate change.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, underscored the lake’s importance to regional economies and communities.
“Millions of people depend on Lake Victoria for fishing, transportation, agriculture, tourism, and domestic water use,” he said.
“Protecting Lake Victoria is not only an environmental responsibility but also an economic and social priority for the East African region.”
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, Alfred Okidi, echoed the call for urgent action.
“Rapid population growth, poor waste management, industrial pollution, and unsustainable human activities continue to pose serious risks to the health of Lake Victoria,” he warned, urging governments, partners, and communities to strengthen collaboration and invest in conservation programmes.
The Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Dr. Masinde Bwire, highlighted the severity of the challenges facing the lake.
“Pollution, water hyacinth infestation, illegal fishing practices, and environmental degradation threaten biodiversity, fish production, and water quality,” he said.
“Unless urgent action is taken, these challenges could negatively affect the livelihoods of surrounding communities.”
Dr. Bwire called for stronger regional policies, enforcement of environmental laws, and enhanced scientific research to support conservation efforts.
The celebrations also featured a high-level forum and donor round table, attracting representatives from Rwanda, Kenya, and international partners including KfW, the European Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Development partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting climate resilience, water management, sanitation, and sustainable economic activities within the Lake Victoria Basin.
The Lake Victoria Day celebrations brought together government officials, environmental experts, civil society organizations, youth groups, and members of the public from across the region.
Participants pledged to work collectively to ensure the lake remains a sustainable resource and a symbol of regional unity and cooperation for generations to come.