The ministry of agriculture and animal husbandry has released a statement sensitizing the public about the resurgence of the water hyacinth weed on water bodies across the country.
In the statement, the Minister said that the water hyacinth is now resurging as evidenced by the current
blockage of Port bell in Kampala and other sheltered areas on lakes Victoria,
Kyoga, Albert and Lakes Bisina and Opeta despite previous efforts done by the government to avert the effects of the weed on the water bodies.
Lakes Albert and Kyoga, and the Nile have since 2013 been invaded by a new aquatic weed termed as the Kariba Weed whosescientific name is Salvinia Molesta.
The cover and spread of the Kariba weed has reached alarming levels continuously affecting fisheries (fish breeding and nursery grounds), the water quality and quantity consequently having an effect on the drinking water supplies, hydro power generation, tourism and the transport system along these water bodies.
The weed has also been reported in the Lake Victoria basin (Lake Kimira in
Bugiri District) and some fish ponds.
The OPM is coordinating an inter-Ministerial technical Committee with
representation from the Office of the Prime Minister (as Chair and Secretariat)
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Ministry of
Water and Environment, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, The
Ministry of Local Government, the Uganda Police Force, National
Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Nakasongola Local government.
