Algae invade Lake Victoria
May 01, 2009
Lake Victoria’s Kitubulu Bay in Entebbe has been invaded by a mass of algae. The bay, a few metres from the main road when entering Entebbe town, has been a favourite place for revelers from Kampala.
By Gerald Tenywa
Lake Victoria’s Kitubulu Bay in Entebbe has been invaded by a mass of algae.
The bay, a few metres from the main road when entering Entebbe town, has been a favourite place for revelers from Kampala.
Those who went there last weekend could not swim and they were disheartened by the rotten-egg smell coming from the agae bloom. Fishermen, who refer to the algae bloom as mubiru, complained of reduced catch, while some fish floated dead after being suffocated by the algae.
Officials of the National Environment Management Authority said the water started clearing as the week advanced. NEMA explained that algae normally occur in the lake in small amounts but grow beyond control when the lake is polluted with organic waste. “This weed has been a nuisance in the last three years and it poses risk to health, fishing and recreation,†said Jennifer Kutesakwe, the laboratory expert at NEMA. “The invasion kills fish, causes the skin to itch and contaminates water.â€
She explained that at night, algae deplete oxygen from water, causing fish to suffocate. It also produces toxins. “Even when water is boiled, it is not safe.â€
By press time NEMA had not ascertained the source of pollution that led to the algae bloom. Dr. Gerald Sawula Musoke, the deputy executive director of NEMA, said they would probe all flower farms, fish processing plants, hotels and entertainment spots in the area.
Lake Victoria’s Kitubulu Bay in Entebbe has been invaded by a mass of algae.
The bay, a few metres from the main road when entering Entebbe town, has been a favourite place for revelers from Kampala.
Those who went there last weekend could not swim and they were disheartened by the rotten-egg smell coming from the agae bloom. Fishermen, who refer to the algae bloom as mubiru, complained of reduced catch, while some fish floated dead after being suffocated by the algae.
Officials of the National Environment Management Authority said the water started clearing as the week advanced. NEMA explained that algae normally occur in the lake in small amounts but grow beyond control when the lake is polluted with organic waste. “This weed has been a nuisance in the last three years and it poses risk to health, fishing and recreation,†said Jennifer Kutesakwe, the laboratory expert at NEMA. “The invasion kills fish, causes the skin to itch and contaminates water.â€
She explained that at night, algae deplete oxygen from water, causing fish to suffocate. It also produces toxins. “Even when water is boiled, it is not safe.â€
By press time NEMA had not ascertained the source of pollution that led to the algae bloom. Dr. Gerald Sawula Musoke, the deputy executive director of NEMA, said they would probe all flower farms, fish processing plants, hotels and entertainment spots in the area.