LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

The Lake Victoria Basin’s population of 40 million

people represents 30 per cent of the total population

of the five riparian countries (World Bank 2016). The

Basin has a very high population density, with an

average of 216 persons per km². The high population

density is more pronounced in the sections of the

basin in Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda (World

Bank 2016).

The rising population in the Basin is often blamed for

the increase in the degradation of natural resources.

The increase also puts pressure on infrastructure

(transport, education, health, water, power and

telecommunications), increases food security

concerns and leads to rural–urban migration, with

the attendant problems of rapid urbanization.

HUMAN IMPACTS ON

LAKEVICTORIA BASIN