Most people consider Africa to be one of the oldest land masses on our planet. While the equatorial region has been home to a diverse array of plants, animals and cultures; when it comes to bodies of water, Lake Victoria stands out as an impressive example. The largest lake in Africa, and the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area on the whole continent, Lake Victoria is a giant feature on the map of East Africa.
The African Great Lakes region is composed of several large lakes, with Lake Victoria being the largest in total area. At 68,800 km², the lake is even larger than the United Kingdom. This African giant is also known as Lake Nyanza and is in the shared waterways of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is reliably recorded not just as the largest lake in Africa, but also as the world’s second-largest freshwater lake. Situated roughly at the equator, it lies between 1,070 and 1,580 meters above sea level. Recorded at over 3 million square kilometers, the surface area of Lake Victoria is even larger than said; this is due to the fact that it has multiple inflow and outflow changes during larger passages of time such as the annual rains.
During prehistoric times, Lake Victoria swelled as far out as Bunyoro, a region in present-day Uganda, surrounding Tom Mboya Island which is a major mount of the area. It is believed that the lake was first charted by a missionary called Dixon Deny, who sailed on a canoe in 1897 (The source is Journals of the East Africa Protectorate by E.A. Brenton and Edward Maunde). The lake was wide enough at this time to cover aspects of the shore line.
Lake Victoria is the largest of the African Great Lakes and holds over 4,000 tributaries, it was first explored by European (and other) travelers in the mid 19th century who named the lake after Queen Victoria of England. The lake is home to a diverse range of aquatic life ranging from commercial stocks, fish for sport fishing and for commercial sale, local favorites and rare species unknown to any other water system in Africa.
Having grown in size over thousands of years, the lake is subject to massive storms and sometimes suffers from famine like weather conditions due to the high winds. In some recent and seasonal years, the heat and drought have affected the water levels dramatically. This has led to a decrease in the natural productivity of the lake and its surroundings, especially with the related fertilizer run-off.
Currently, the effects of human populations, increasing agricultural activities in the attached wetlands and townships around Lake Victoria are becoming noticeable. The lake’s water has deteriorated over the years due to a number of factors such as overfishing and the pollution of water from increased waste disposal. Lake Victoria is also surrounded by a number of towns and cities; increasing levels of industrialization, urbanization, and deforestation are leading to considerable amounts of sediment, organic waste, and agricultural run-off finding their way into the lake.
Large companies operating in the region mine for gold and oil in Lake Victoria, causing a great deal of destruction to the natural ecosystem of the lake and its tributaries. The impact of these activities, especially during the raining season, causes a large amount of sediment which eventually finds its way into the lake. This sediment can contain toxins which have a worrying effect on the lake’s biodiversity.
Long Term Effects
The use of pollutants and pollutants in the lake creates an extremely unbalanced environment as far as the aquatic environment is concerned. It has been speculated that, due to the severity of environmental degradation and degradation of water quality, Lake Victoria could be next on the list of deserts in the world. While some sources have stated that the water is now void of any predator fish, it must be made clear that certain species such as Barbel and Nile Refish, as well as small fish, still survive in parts of the lake.
The long term effects of water toxicity and thermal dynamics on Lake Victoria are still relatively unknown. This is an issue for experts, researchers and locals living near the lake, as the effects are predicted to be large, irreversible, and game-changing. Controlled by the changeable season, Lake Victoria experiences annual floods, causing large displacement and destruction, food insecurity and famine.
Conservation Efforts
In recent years, numerous global and local efforts have been made to conserve and protect the lake. These range from educational initiatives and technology projects to conservation projects that have been put in place to restore and maintain life in Lake Victoria. Local councils have led these projects, supported by international organizations as well as various countries around Lake Victoria.
In addition, the Ugandan government has put in place a ‘Lake Victoria Water Management Initiative’ to ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the lake. This initiative strives to improve the quality of the lake and its ecosystems, with a focus on scientists, policy formulators and economic developers.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the conservation efforts, there are still a number of ongoing challenges that threaten the water quality and sustainability of Lake Victoria. Overfishing, a lack of access to clean water, and increased pollution continue to be major problems for the lake, as well as its surrounding peoples and wildlife. Also, sediment from the catchment area of the lake still thickens and depletes the water. In other words, the lake does not receive a natural ‘cleansing’ each year, leading to an increased build-up of sediment and pollutants.
The lake also has so far been unable to meet the demands of the local population, with much of the fishing taking place in overfished waters. Similarly, pollution and harmful pollutants have led to certain species losing ground, and others being at risk of local extinction. Furthermore, the over-abstraction of water from the lake leads to the natural processes of the lake becoming disrupted, and water quality deteriorating, resulting in serious economic, environmental and social consequences.
Role of the Global Community
In recent decades, the global community has been instrumental in supporting local initiatives to help tackle these issues. The UN-Water Initiative for Lake Victoria has included initiatives to raise awareness, protect and conserve, and restore the lake. The restoration of the lake is essential in order to meet the demands of these important communities, and at the same time improve the quality of the lake.
International organizations have provided valuable support and resources to Lake Victoria, in terms of research and monitoring, in order to identify key threats and find effective solutions. For example, World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and the African Development Bank have all stepped in, with the support of governments and other stakeholders, to protect and restore this ecological treasure.
Educational Programs
Education and knowledge sharing is essential in order to preserve this essential part of African culture and history. Organizations such as the African Great Lakes Initiative and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization have been developed in order to promote and develop educational programs that relate to the lake. Such programs include numerous field expeditions, research projects and conferences, with stakeholders from regulations, industry, fisheries and other parts of the society. Such initiatives involve stimulating discussion on relevant topics and disseminating knowledge through information systems and communications.
In addition, UNESCO has developed education programs and initiatives to increase the environmental understanding and local sustainability of the lake. In recent years, grassroots and nongovernmental organizations have played a vital part in raising awareness and educating people in order to stop the pollution and overexploitation of Lake Victoria.
A Renewed Hope
Despite the numerous environmental threats, the resilient spirit of Lake Victoria lives on. There are plenty of initiatives and projects being developed to protect and restore the lake, both locally and globally. Local communities, international organizations, and national governments all have their part to play. If contributions from all parties could be made, Lake Victoria could return to its once thriving state, providing a powerful resource for food, employment, and the livelihoods of the people living around it.
Media Exposure
In recent years, there has been increased media exposure for Lake Victoria, with the spotlight being placed on the potential of the lake, alongside the necessity for its conservation. In addition to shedding light on the importance of the lake, the media has also recognized the potential of sustainable lake development. The lake can still provide a unique tourism opportunity, as well as a fishery resource, if properly managed and preserved.
A number of documentaries have been produced on the lake, such as ‘Lakeside Life: The People of Lake Victoria’, which provide deep insight into the communities living around the lake and the people working to protect it. Such documentaries provide a platform for educating viewers about the importance of Lake Victoria as an ecological and economic resource, as well as a much-needed recreational spot.
Connecting Peoples and Places
With its renown as a fishery and recreational destination, Lake Victoria connects the people and places around it. Through the lake, local and international visitors can experience the culture of communities, taste various cuisines, and enjoy the great outdoors. Additionally, the lake serves as an important source of livelihood and a source of nutrition for surrounding villages and towns. Marine resources are vital to the survival of local fishing communities, providing food and also employment.
It is also an important component of the transboundary corridors of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Different species of animals, both migratory and resident, move to and from the region, connecting people from the different sides of the lakes. It has the potential to give new life to locally neglected areas and can provide opportunities for increased cultural understanding and unity.
