The Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng. Cyprian Luhemeja, is closely following the ongoing cleanup operation at Lake Victoria, focusing on an area heavily infested by water hyacinth.
The operation, which stretches from Busisi in Sengerema District to Kigongo Ferry in Misungwi District, involves both manual and mechanical methods.
Youth teams are playing a major role by cutting the invasive plant using machetes. Alongside them, a ‘Watermaster’ machine is in action — a multi-functional aquatic equipment capable of cleaning and dredging one acre of the lake per day.
Officials say this effort is part of a broader campaign to restore the lake's ecological health and ease transportation affected by the weed.
Speaking during the activity, Luhemeja praised the commitment shown so far and underscored the importance of joint efforts in protecting water resources.
“As we continue with this exercise, we are also making long-term plans,” he said. “We have already procured three additional machines to support the cleanup. These are currently in the initial stages of deployment.”
The government aims to expand the operation to other affected areas along the lakeshore. Local residents say the cleanup is already making a difference by opening up access to fishing and ferry routes.
Environmental experts say controlling water hyacinth is crucial not only for marine life, but also for community livelihoods that depend on the lake.