The Lakes Edward and Albert Basin supports over 14 million people who depend on fisheries, agriculture, transport, and diverse ecosystem services. The basin faces severe pressures from population pressures, poverty, limited social services and infrastructure, and unsustainable resource use. LEAF I and II made progress, but basin-wide challenges—including overfishing, declining biodiversity, catchment degradation, water-quality deterioration, climate impacts, and institutional weaknesses—remain significant.
The Project Development Objective is to ensure the sustainable management, development, and utilization of fisheries and water resources in the basin, enhancing biodiversity, economic growth, and community livelihoods. There are five components:
(i) Fisheries Resources Management and Development—strengthening monitoring, rebuilding stocks, aquaculture, improving landing-sites, and alternative livelihoods.
(ii) Integrated Water Resources Management—expanding monitoring networks, implementing catchment plans, improving pollution control, and access to safe water and sanitation;
(iii) Navigation and Maritime Safety to enhance safe, efficient water transport.
(iv) Control of Invasive Aquatic Weeds—coordinated surveillance, prevention, and management of invasive species.
(v) Project Coordination and Management— operationalization of an effective permanent transboundary basin institution--strengthened cooperation for shared benefits