Contributions of lakes to the development of Uganda

Positive contributions

• Evaporations from lakes lead to the formation of convection rainfall in areas around them such as Mukono, Kampala around Lake Victoria.
• Lakes allow transport and goods and services
• Lakes like Lake victoria are source of fish for food and income for people around the lakes.
• Lakes like Lake victoria are sources of domestic water for Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono etc.
• Lakes provide water for irrigation
• Lakes are used for sport/recreation such as boat riding.
• Lakes have promoted hydroelectricity power production because they act as reservoirs for water e.g. L. Victoria provides water to R. Nile which has Owen Falls Dam for generationg HEP.
• Lakes provide raw materials for art and crafts such as Papyrus.
• Lakes control flooding since they provide basins into wgich riversdischarge their water. For example Lake Victoria controls flooding in places like Mukono, Jinja etc.
• Lakes have promoted wild life conservation through provision of habitats for aquatic life.
• Lakes promote growth of Urban centers at the landing sites and ports
• Lakes have promoted international cooperation among countries that share lakes. For example Lake Victoria is shared among Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Negative contribution

• Lakes often cause seasonal flooding especially during seasons of heavy rains for example Amolata around L. Kyoga
• Lakes shared by countries often lead to conflicts over boundaries for example the Bugingo incidence on L. Victoria.
• Lakes are associated with accidents which often lead to loss of life and property.
• Lakes promote spread of water borne diseases such as Bilharzia
• Lakes are sources of atmospheric pollution, especially lakes that produce bad smeel for example L. Nyamunuka that has a bad smell.
• Lakes hinder the construction of roads and other infrastructures for example Kalangala on L. Victoria.
• Lakes encourage smuggling since is is difficult to monitor movements across borders on lakes like L. Albert, L. Victoria
• Lakes havepromoted piracy/insecurity
• Lakes encourage urbanization and related side effects such as poor hygiene.