EAC to celebrate inaugural Lake Victoria Day in May 2026
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EAC to mark the first Lake Victoria Day on May 21, 2026, focusing on conservation and sustainable development.
The East African Community (EAC) has officially announced the inaugural celebration of Lake Victoria Day, scheduled for May 21, 2026. This landmark event will focus on addressing the urgent environmental challenges threatening Lake Victoria, a crucial resource that supports over 45 million people living in the East African region.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), a specialized institution of the EAC, is spearheading the organization of this annual day of recognition. Initially planned for November 29, 2024, the event was postponed to avoid clashing with the EAC Heads of State Summit, ensuring maximum regional participation and impact.
The new date was confirmed during the 23rd meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB), held recently in Kisumu, Kenya. At the meeting, ministers from the EAC partner states highlighted the critical importance of conserving the lake’s fragile ecosystem amid growing environmental pressures.
Themed “Revive and Thrive: Uniting for Lake Victoria’s Future,” the celebration is designed to rotate annually among the EAC Partner States that share the lake basin. This will allow each nation to showcase their local initiatives and foster regional cooperation in the sustainable management of the lake.
Speaking during the announcement in Kisumu, Dr. Masinde Bwire, Executive Secretary of the LVBC, emphasized that the inaugural Lake Victoria Day will serve as a comprehensive platform to unite diverse stakeholders. These include policy-makers, scientists, environmentalists, development partners, and local communities who rely on the lake’s resources.
The event will feature a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness and encouraging collaborative action. Planned activities include scientific conferences, forums for development partners, policy dialogues, and stakeholder engagement sessions. Key topics will focus on pollution control, climate change adaptation, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), institutional capacity building, and sustainable development practices within the basin.
Additionally, community-driven activities will form an integral part of the celebrations. Cleanup campaigns targeting plastic and other pollutants, eco-tourism promotions, exhibitions, and local dialogues are expected to engage citizens directly in the conservation efforts.
Dr. Bwire highlighted the multiple threats facing Lake Victoria. These include unchecked pollution from urban centers such as Kisumu and Siaya in Kenya, Mwanza in Tanzania, and Kampala in Uganda. Plastic pollution, untreated industrial and domestic waste, overfishing, invasive species, and the accelerating impacts of climate change have severely damaged the lake’s biodiversity and water quality.
“The degradation of Lake Victoria threatens not only the aquatic life but also the livelihoods and food security of millions of people who depend on the lake for fishing, agriculture, and water supply,” Dr. Bwire noted. He called for concerted regional action to reverse these trends and ensure the lake’s resilience for future generations.
The launch of Lake Victoria Day aligns with the EAC’s wider agenda for environmental sustainability and natural resource management. It will provide an annual occasion to evaluate progress, share best practices, mobilize resources, and celebrate the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this vital freshwater ecosystem.
The LVBC, headquartered in Kisumu, has been at the forefront of numerous projects designed to promote sustainable development within the Lake Victoria Basin. These initiatives focus on integrated water resource management, pollution reduction, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience measures.
The institution continues to work closely with partner states, local governments, civil society organizations, and international development agencies to implement solutions that address both environmental challenges and socio-economic needs of the basin communities.
The upcoming Lake Victoria Day represents a milestone in the collaborative efforts of the EAC and its partners. It is hoped that this dedicated day will not only strengthen regional cooperation but also inspire public participation and investment in the sustainable future of one of Africa’s largest and most important lakes.
As the countdown begins to May 21, 2026, attention is turning to how governments, organizations, and citizens can contribute to making Lake Victoria Day a successful catalyst for lasting change.
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