Lake Victoria is facing severe pollution from unchecked human activities, according to a new East African Community (EAC)-backed study, threatening its water quality and the livelihoods of over 40 million people.

• Preliminary findings revealed alarming levels of chemical pollutants, nutrient overloads, and sedimentation.
• Arsene Mukubwa, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project Coordinator for the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), highlighted sand harvesting, coal mining, and urban activities as key degradation drivers.
• The comprehensive study, the first in over two decades, will be unveiled at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil to lobby for stronger conservation commitments.