Ababu Namwamba Puts Small Fish at the Heart of Lake Victoria’s Big Agenda
The High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda, Ambassador Hon. Ababu Namwamba, EGH, has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting Lake Victoria’s fisheries by placing small fish and the millions of people who depend on them at the center of regional fisheries policy.
During a courtesy visit by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), Mrs. Lucy Obungu, at the Kenya High Commission in Kampala, Ambassador Namwamba emphasized that sustainable fisheries management must prioritize both the welfare of small-scale fisherfolk and the conservation of the lake’s most economically significant species.
Recognizing the Value of Small Fish
Speaking passionately during the meeting, Ambassador Namwamba highlighted the importance of the silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea), commonly known as omena in Kenya and mukene in Uganda. Despite its small size, this fish plays a critical role in ensuring food security, nutrition, employment, and cross-border trade throughout the East African region.
“Small fish are big business.”
He noted that these fish provide an affordable source of protein for millions of households while supporting thousands of fishermen, fish processors, traders, transporters, and market vendors across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Strengthening Regional Fisheries Governance
The Ambassador underscored the important mandate of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), an institution established under the East African Community (EAC) through the Convention for the Establishment of the LVFO. The organization is responsible for coordinating the sustainable management, conservation, and development of fisheries and aquaculture resources within Lake Victoria.
The LVFO Secretariat is currently headed by Executive Secretary Mukasa Tom Bukenya.
The meeting also served as a strategic engagement ahead of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectoral Council of Ministers (FASCoM) meeting scheduled to take place from 16–21 August 2026 in Bujumbura, Burundi, where key decisions affecting fisheries management across the region will be discussed.
Call for Harmonized Fisheries Regulations
One of the key issues raised by Ambassador Namwamba was the need for harmonization of fisheries laws and regulations among the three East African countries that share Lake Victoria—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Currently, each country operates under different fisheries regulations, enforcement procedures, and licensing requirements. This often creates uncertainty and operational challenges for fishermen and traders who regularly navigate the shared waters of the lake.
The Ambassador urged the LVFO Secretariat to make regulatory harmonization a priority in order to create a more predictable, efficient, and supportive operating environment for fishing communities.
Proposal for a Single Regional Enforcement Command
Going a step further, Ambassador Namwamba proposed that the upcoming FASCoM meeting consider establishing a single regional fisheries enforcement mechanism operating under one command structure.
According to the Ambassador, the current system of multiple enforcement agencies has resulted in overlapping mandates, duplication of duties, unnecessary bureaucracy, and increased burdens on fisherfolk and fish traders.
A unified enforcement framework, he argued, would:
- Eliminate duplication of enforcement responsibilities.
- Reduce corruption and unnecessary harassment.
- Improve coordination between partner states.
- Facilitate smoother cross-border fish trade.
- Enhance sustainable utilization of Lake Victoria’s fisheries resources.
- Create a more enabling environment for economic growth within the fisheries sector.
As the Ambassador observed:
“A single command will eliminate duplication, corruption, and harassment of innocent fishermen and traders.”
Putting People at the Centre of Fisheries Development
Beyond policy and institutional reforms, Ambassador Namwamba stressed that fisheries governance should remain focused on the people whose livelihoods depend on Lake Victoria.
He emphasized that every fisheries policy should ultimately benefit:
- Small-scale fishermen.
- Women involved in fish processing and trading.
- Cross-border fish traders.
- Fishing families.
- Communities that rely on fish as a primary source of nutrition and income.
He reminded stakeholders that Lake Victoria is a shared natural resource whose benefits should be enjoyed equitably by all East African citizens.
“Lake Victoria is a common resource. We must ensure we protect and utilize it to benefit all peoples who depend on it, across all the countries that share it.”
This people-centered approach reflects a broader vision of sustainable fisheries management that balances environmental conservation with inclusive economic development.
Kenya Reaffirms Support for LVFO
Ambassador Namwamba pledged Kenya’s continued support for the work of the LVFO and announced his intention to participate in upcoming regional engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation within the fisheries sector.
He confirmed that he will be in Jinja, Uganda, to support the LVFO Secretariat in advancing its mandate and enhancing regional collaboration. He also reaffirmed his participation in the FASCoM meeting in Bujumbura, where he intends to advocate for reforms that improve the lives of fisherfolk and fish traders throughout the Lake Victoria Basin.
“We certainly will be in Bujumbura to urge the Council of Ministers to do the right thing for the fisherfolk and traders of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.”
Looking Ahead
As preparations continue for the August FASCoM meeting, stakeholders across the region are hopeful that stronger regional cooperation, harmonized regulations, and coordinated enforcement will unlock the full economic potential of Lake Victoria while safeguarding its fisheries for future generations.
For the millions of East Africans whose livelihoods depend on the lake and for the small fish that sustain both local economies and household nutrition the decisions made in Bujumbura could mark an important step toward a more sustainable, efficient, and people-centered fisheries sector.