Uganda, Egypt sign pact to combat invasive water hyacinth

Uganda and Egypt have signed an agreement for the Aquatic Weed Control Project.

The signing ceremony took place during the 6th Edition of the Cairo Water Week in Cairo, Egypt, on November 1, 2023, and marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaboration between the two nations to address this environmental challenge

The Minister of State for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, signed on behalf of Uganda while Egypt was represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem.

This memorandum of understanding (MOU) will extend the project’s duration and deepen the commitment of both nations to combat aquatic weeds in the Great Lakes Region of Uganda.

Minister Adoa expressed gratitude for the extended partnership. “On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I have this morning signed the 5th Extension Agreement for Aquatic Weeds Control under the Equatorial Lakes Project between Uganda and Egypt. This MOU will go a long way in addressing Aquatic Weeds in the Great Lakes Region of Uganda,” the minister posted on X, formerly Twitter.

It is a significant move to combat the persistent issue of invasive water hyacinth in Uganda’s Great Lakes Region.

The Great Lakes Region of Uganda has long been plagued by the presence of invasive water hyacinth, which poses a significant threat to the region’s aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of local communities.

This fast-spreading aquatic weed clogs waterways, obstructs fishing activities, and harms the overall health of the lakes and their surrounding ecosystems.

By extending their collaboration, Uganda and Egypt are taking a crucial step towards mitigating these ecological and economic challenges

The Aquatic Weed Control Project, initiated through bilateral cooperation, aims to reduce the impact of water hyacinth by implementing comprehensive control measures.

These measures include biological, chemical, and mechanical control methods, as well as capacity building for local communities to manage and utilize the weed sustainably.

The extended agreement signifies the commitment of both nations to continue their joint efforts in addressing this environmental challenge.

This extension reinforces the belief in mutual cooperation and demonstrates the dedication of both nations to tackle shared environmental challenges.

Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds objectives include control invasive aquatic weeds by combining physical and biological control methods to minimize any future residual impacts. Physical control includes manual and mechanical removal, and the use of physical barriers such as cables and booms. Biological control requires the determination of insect species suitable for aquatic weed eradication, multiplication and release in the infected areas.

To achieve this objective, mechanical methods will be used in the case of deep-rooted submerged weeds, to be followed by manual control, including physical barriers. Biological control will be combined with manual control to ensure project sustainability.