East African Community (EAC) partner states have reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening conservation measures for Lake Victoria, amid growing threats from pollution and climate change.
This renewed commitment emerged from the 23rd Ordinary Sectoral Council of Ministers for the Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB), convened in Kisumu, Kenya.
The meeting brought together ministers responsible for EAC Affairs, Environment, Water, and Maritime Transport from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the meeting, leaders emphasised the urgent need to protect Africa’s largest freshwater lake from environmental degradation, pointing to the rise in pollution, unsupervised human activity, and climate-related impacts.
They pledged to enhance resource mobilisation and regional coordination to safeguard the lake’s ecological health and economic value.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, Beatrice Askul, who chairs the ministerial council, stressed the importance of timely financial contributions from member states.
Askul said that delays in funding have slowed key projects under the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), the EAC agency mandated to drive sustainable development around the lake.
“Our priority is reducing pollution, which continues to impair water quality and endanger aquatic ecosystems and human livelihoods,” she noted
She added, “Member states must ensure that waste is kept out of the lake and its feeder rivers.”
The council approved the formulation of shared policies and strategies to support environmental protection efforts.
Askul said these frameworks will guide conservation actions and ensure long-term sustainability of the lake and its surrounding communities.
Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga highlighted the lake’s critical role in supporting fisheries, transport, and cross-border commerce, urging collective responsibility for its protection.
He noted that this was a testament to the country's commitment as a region to safeguard these critical resources.
“Lake Victoria supports diverse economic activities such as fishing, maritime transport, and cross-border trade”.
Tanzania’s Denis Lazaro Londo and Uganda’s Beatrice Anywar Atim echoed similar calls for joint action, with Uganda pledging additional funding and stronger climate adaptation efforts.
LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire acknowledged the support of development partners and confirmed progress on multiple conservation projects underway in the region.
The meeting ended with calls for accelerated implementation of agreed recommendations, underscoring that only through joint action can Lake Victoria be preserved for future generations.
