KISUMU, Kenya, October 11th –The East African Community (EAC) member states have unveiled a joint plan to bolster maritime safety on Lake Victoria by establishing dedicated maritime safety and rescue centres in Kisumu, Kenya; Mwanza, Tanzania; and Entebbe, Uganda.
This vital initiative aims to protect communities relying on the lake for transport, trade, and livelihoods.
Decisions were made during the first extraordinary council of ministers’ meeting of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) held from Monday, October 6, to Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at a Kisumu hotel.
Senior officials from the partner states convened to explore new strategies to enhance safety, promote environmental protection, and ensure the sustainable utilization of this crucial shared resource.
Chaired by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for East African Community (EAC), Dr Caroline Karugu, the meeting reached a consensus on two pivotal issues: the operationalization of the Lake Victoria Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the allocation of €15 million (Sh2.2 billion) from the Government of Germany through KFW Development Bank aimed at supporting pollution control and environmental sustainability efforts across the basin.
Dr Karugu highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “This marks a major milestone in ensuring the safety of communities that depend on the lake. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, we lose nearly 5,000 East Africans annually on Lake Victoria. One death is too many, especially when these are preventable. Our collective goal is to create a safe environment for transport, for our fishermen, and for everyone who depends on the lake.”
The meeting included representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, who collectively resolved that the main Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre will be headquartered in Mwanza, Tanzania, complemented by two subsidiary centres in Kisumu, Kenya, and Entebbe, Uganda.
These centres will lead a network of 16 search and rescue stations—nine in Uganda, three in Tanzania, and four in Kenya—to enhance emergency response capabilities and facilitate quicker rescue operations in case of accidents or emergencies on the lake.
Dr. Karugu mentioned that a toll-free emergency number has been established, with partner states actively collaborating with telecommunications operators in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to integrate it into their networks, ensuring that anyone navigating Lake Victoria can easily access help when needed.
“Our vision is for everyone on the lake to have a reliable number to call, ensuring that help is always within reach. We want Lake Victoria to be a safe space that fuels economic growth,” she affirmed.
In addition, the council approved the use of €15 million (Sh2.2 billion) from Germany’s KFW Bank to implement measures designed to reduce pollution, rehabilitate wetlands, and enhance waste management systems surrounding the lake.
Dr. Masinde Bwire, Executive Secretary of the LVBC, expressed gratitude to the ministers for their decisive leadership, emphasizing that the resolutions signify a new chapter in regional cooperation.
“Pollution remains one of the greatest threats to the lake’s ecosystem. Allocating these funds to combat pollution represents a bold step towards reversing years of environmental degradation,” he remarked.
He added that the LVBC Secretariat has been tasked with expediting staffing and operational arrangements for the Mwanza centre to ensure it becomes fully operational as soon as possible.
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary for Water and Environment, Mr Alfred Okidi, who represented the Minister for Water and Environment, emphasised the importance of regional integration, stating, “Lake Victoria binds us, sustains us, and reminds us of our shared destiny. This project will not only improve safety on the lake, but also strengthen our management of water as a vital resource.”
Mr Okidi also stressed that protecting it requires united action, and what we witnessed during this meeting exemplifies just that.
He urged citizens throughout the basin to support pollution control initiatives by adopting environmentally friendly practices to protect water resources for future generations.
South Sudan’s Undersecretary for Water Resources and Irrigation, Achier Manyuat, praised the meeting as a model of regional cooperation, asserting, “The €15 million resource will benefit all of us, particularly the three countries bordering the lake.”
He added that the safety of one member state translates into safety for all. We deeply appreciate Kenya’s leadership and the chair’s effective moderation of this successful session.”
Rwanda’s representative, Glory Mbabazi, the Second Counsellor at the Rwandan High Commission in Nairobi, celebrated the establishment of maritime rescue centres as a historic breakthrough for the region.
“We have lost lives in the past, but this initiative brings renewed hope. It demonstrates what we can achieve when we unite as East Africans. Integration fosters unity, social cohesion, and collective strength. This is a proud moment for our community,” she expressed.
