Local leaders in Kabale and Rubanda Districts have committed to strengthening Lake Bunyonyi pollution control measures. Their efforts include enforcing by-laws against poor garbage disposal and farming near the lake shores. These actions aim to reduce water contamination and reverse ongoing environmental degradation.
Lake Bunyonyi, East Africa’s second-deepest lake, faces growing threats from human activity. Unregulated urbanization, poor waste management, and farming along the shores have caused silting and pollution. Although several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) support green initiatives around the lake, pollution persists due to weak enforcement and inadequate infrastructure.
David Kato, chairperson of Kitumba Sub-county, emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of existing environmental by-laws. “Every business operating next to Lake Bunyonyi must have a modern toilet and dustbin. We also need public toilet facilities and garbage skips in all markets and trading centers,” he said. These facilities, according to Kato, would prevent waste from being dumped directly into the lake.
Kato also called for government support to help lower local governments implement National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) laws. These laws require a 200-meter buffer zone around water bodies to protect them from encroachment. He believes that a physical building plan should guide investors to support sustainable infrastructure development around the lake.
During the rainy season, water pollution worsens as runoff carries waste into the lake. Diaz Owoyesigire, councillor for Hamuhambo Town Council in Rubanda District, explained that local governments lack the resources to implement adequate control measures. “Although we’ve received some help from NGOs, we still face serious challenges,” he said.
One such NGO, the African International Christian Ministry (AICM), has launched a five-year plan to restore the degraded environment around Lake Bunyonyi. AICM aims to develop a green economy through sustainable farming and conservation. The organization has formed village natural resource management committees, empowering local communities to take an active role in conservation.
A 15-member committee is now leading conservation in 30 villages bordering the lake. According to AICM Executive Director Denis Mucunguzi, these committees enforce by-laws requiring community participation in conservation. Violators face penalties for failing to comply with set standards.
To manage runoff and erosion, AICM and community members have dug trenches and constructed dams. They’ve also planted trees such as Calliandra, Grevillea, bamboo, and Napia grass. In addition, the initiative includes planting fruit trees and coffee to improve biodiversity and provide income.
The Lake Bunyonyi sub-catchment multistakeholder platform, established by AICM, includes local leaders, researchers from Kabale University, and the private sector. This platform coordinates conservation activities and supports the implementation of climate-resilient practices. Mucunguzi said that although the region is hilly and difficult to manage, a coordinated approach is key to success.
AICM has also introduced eco-friendly enterprises like mushroom growing, apiary, and handicrafts. These activities provide alternative incomes, helping reduce pressure on the land and discouraging environmentally harmful farming near the lake.
Despite these gains, local leaders like David Kato stress that more needs to be done. While NGOs are making progress toward a green economy, water pollution remains largely unaddressed. “We need stronger enforcement and practical support from the central government to protect this critical water body,” Kato reiterated.
Lake Bunyonyi plays a vital role in Uganda’s tourism, biodiversity, and local livelihoods. Therefore, protecting it through Lake Bunyonyi pollution control measures is essential for long-term sustainability. With collaborative efforts now underway, local leaders hope to preserve the lake for future generations.