After more than two decades, a major breakthrough in regional environmental collaboration is set to take place. This is after scientists and technicians from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda embarked on a joint in-lake water quality monitoring exercise on Lake Victoria, the first of its kind in over 20 years.
Supported by GIZ as part of the EAC for Nature Project, the study is scheduled to kick off following a three-day training workshop for experts and policy makers on water sampling techniques and research methodology that took place between 4 – 6 June 2025 in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world and a critical resource relied upon by more than 40 million people across East African countries has suffered significant degradation over the years. Issues such as pollution, eutrophication, invasive species, and overfishing have raised concerns about its long-term sustainability.
This collaborative effort seeks to gather essential physical, chemical, and biological data to inform the upcoming State of the Basin Report, which will provide a comprehensive picture of the lake’s current health and ecosystem trends.
Speaking during the event, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission’s Deputy Executive Secretary Eng. Coletha Ruhamya noted the growing concerns about unusual changes in the lake’s ecosystem, including the widespread presence of water hyacinths.
“It is not that we have identified a specific issue, but there are signs of irregularities. When you look at the lake, listen to how communities speak about the growing spread of water hyacinths, and observe ongoing human activities along the shoreline, you will realise that something may be wrong. Clear or colourless water does not always mean clean water, which is why we are undertaking this study,” She explained.
Eng. Ruhamya reaffirmed that the study findings will be crucial in guiding the conservation of the lake’s biodiversity and ecological balance. She observed that in addition to evaluating water quality, the research will assess the extent of pollution and cleanliness across different parts of the lake, with a view of developing actionable projects and interventions.
On his part, Dr. Renatus Shinhu, Director of the Lake Victoria Basin Water Board (LVBWB), observed the strong institutional backings for regional cooperation and the growing recognition of science as a cornerstone of policy-making, and confirmed that all the three participating countries including Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda will collect and submit water samples for laboratory analysis.
“We are beginning with training to ensure that the teams understand how to properly collect samples and use the necessary equipment. Once training concludes, the actual research will commence,” said Dr. Shinhu.
The data collected will be critical not only for informing environmental policy but also for guiding investments in ecosystem restoration, pollution control, and climate adaptation measures across the Lake Victoria Basin.
Importantly, the exercise is expected to lay the groundwork for establishing a long-term monitoring framework that can be institutionalised within national and regional structures. The focus on building technical capacity, harmonising methodologies, and strengthening institutional collaboration is to ensure that the benefit of the initiative is sustainable and impactful.
Further, the study is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping environmental policy, supporting cross-border collaboration, and ensuring continuous management of one of Africa’s most vital freshwater ecosystems.