The Uganda Commercial Fish Farmers Association (UCFFA) has urgently called upon the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) to intervene regarding a substantial wetland mass floating within the waters of Lake Victoria. In a letter dated Monday, Mr. Dick Lufafa, acting on behalf of the UCFFA president, raised concerns about the presence of the floating wetland observed between Luzira in Kampala and Koome, Mukono District.

The letter emphasized the need for immediate action to remove the mass to avoid potential threats to floating fish cages, navigation, and power generation activities on Lake Victoria. Additionally, the UCFFA’s letter informed other pertinent ministries, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.

This appeal follows a similar incident in 2021 when a floating island, estimated to cover at least two acres, obstructed a turbine of the Nalubaale Hydro Power Station in Jinja District. The obstruction resulted in widespread power disruptions, highlighting the tangible impact such occurrences can have on critical infrastructure and services.

The floating island incident in 2021 was attributed to rising water levels, which reached 13.12m, just below the highest recorded level of 13.46m in 1964. These recurring events underscore the necessity for proactive measures to mitigate potential consequences on both the environment and socio-economic activities reliant on Lake Victoria.