IMPACTS OF LAKE VICTORIA LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS TO LIVELIHOODS MISSUNGWI DISTRICT CASE STUDY

Abstract

Lake Victoria experienced drastic levels changes in 2005 causing great inconveniences to lakeside communities. Thisstudy investigated effects of these changes on livelihoods through questionnaire surveys, focused group discussions,interviews and analysis of fish catches, diseases, crops, and lake levels data. Results indicate recession of levels hadvarious socio-economic impacts. The changes caused severe water shortage due to drying up of shallow wells and aremarkable increase in prevalence of schistosomiasis because of increased utilization of lake water. There was noevidence for impact of level changes on malaria and diarrhea. Decline of water levels caused decline in fish catches dueto retreat of water from breeding sites. However receding waters created a new land for cultivation which helped toboost Maize and sweet potatoes production. The results emphasize on ensuring stability of lake levels to avoid negativeimpacts on livelihoods and to maintain ecological integrity of the lake.