Lake  Victoria Basin Initiative drums up for Regional common approach to eradicate water accidents

By Bamwita Sadique

The East African Community member states under their umbrella body Lake Victoria Basin Commission have developed a regional common program to eradicate the escalating water accidents on Lake Victoria. 

The Executive secretary Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Dr. Masinde Bwire, says the regional common program once properly implemented would enhance safety for water travellers along the Lake Victoria region.

During the hand over of relief items for the boat victims to the Minister for Works and Transport, Dr. Masinde Bwire, the Executive Secretary Lake Victoria Basin Commission, noted that the Regional common program worth 28 million USD will help to establish rescue centres in the three member states including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

” Uganda has been allocated Shs.17 billion to construct four maritime search and rescue centres. They will help to respond to emergencies in the event there is an accident on the Lake.

He added that the program will also see the installation of navigation equipment on Lake Victoria and other lakes and once well implemented by member states, it would help to avoid similar water tragedies like the recent one that claimed lives of over 17 Ugandans who died in a boat accident on Lake Victoria.

Dr. Masinde said that since the Lake Victoria Basin commission is passionate about lives of water travellers, the commission has donated food items and life jackets which are solar certified and weather friendly to Kasenyi fishing community.

The Minister for works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, who received the relief items on behalf of fishers of Kasenyi landing site, said the Regional common program comes at a critical moment when water transport is out of order saying this would enhance safety on major lakes among partner states.

” This project will improve safety on Lake Victoria and other lakes. Currently we have started constructing maritime search and rescue centers and the one at Bugonga Fisheries institute is almost complete following the installation of the required equipment.

“The accidents on Lake Victoria are not unique to Uganda. At the moment the lake is still violent due to strong winds and therefore, the lake is likely to settle after this month. 

“The relief items we have received today will be handed over to the chairman of Kasenyi landing site, to distribute them to the bereaved families who a fortnight ago lost their loved ones.

Gen. Katumba reminded Water travellers and boat operators to comply with the warnings that were issued by his ministry two months ago, including avoiding overloading and night travels on the lake.