environment 30 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Water Chief Honored as Lake Victoria Receives Digital Protection
Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Uganda's Permanent Secretary for Water and Environment, received a prestigious regional award for his contributions to Lake Victoria's sustainable development. His efforts have led to the launch of digital tools and strategies aimed at conserving the vital freshwater body. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-s-water-chief-honored-as-east-africa-unveils-digital-shields-to-save-lake-victoria-5479106
Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, has been recognized with a significant regional award for his instrumental role in the sustainable management of Lake Victoria.
The accolade was presented by the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, during the inaugural Regional Lake Victoria Day in Mwanza, Tanzania. This award highlights Dr. Okidi’s dedication to fostering regional cooperation and advocating for the preservation of Africa’s largest freshwater lake.
Under Dr. Okidi’s leadership, the East African Community (EAC) is moving towards coordinated, cross-border conservation efforts, shifting away from individual country initiatives. This collaborative approach has led to the launch of three key initiatives aimed at revitalizing the Lake Victoria Basin.
These new measures include the “State of the Lake Victoria Basin Report,” a detailed scientific assessment of environmental degradation; the “Lake Victoria Basin Water Information System (LVB-WIS),” a digital network for real-time data sharing among member states; and an “Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy” to guide coordinated investments and wetland restoration.
Dr. Okidi has consistently emphasized that the health of Lake Victoria is crucial for the region’s economic future. He has warned that a degraded ecosystem poses a direct threat to industrial growth and energy security. For Uganda, the lake is particularly vital, supplying water to the River Nile and powering the nation’s hydroelectric dams, which generate over 90% of the country’s electricity.
His guiding principle remains that the cost of repairing a dead ecosystem far exceeds the investment needed to protect a healthy one. Uganda’s commitment to the lake’s preservation was further noted with other awards, including one for Edith Mwanje, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, and a posthumous honor for Dr. Tom Okurut, the first Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.