8 March 2008
Kampala — The stinking algae at Luzira and Ggaba is likely to cause negative health impacts to residents, according Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Mugisha pointed out that lake shore residents who use raw water risk catching water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea. He also said that algae produce toxins, which can trigger off cancers if they accumulate in the body. He advised local communities to stop using raw water from the algae-infested parts of Lake Victoria.
Gases produced by the massive algea include methane and carbondioxide, which are blamed for causing global warming and creating an environment that helps disease causing organisms to thrive.
Banada Nswa, a waste management expert said it would be expensive to remove the algae. Instead, the Government should concentrate on preventing further pollution of the lake to curb growth of the algea. "I would not be bothered by algae since it can decompose," said Banada. "The real problem is that the pollution of the lake is not being checked and there is continuous accumulation of waste in the bay."
Banada calls for a waste management policy to curb haphazard disposal of waste. "The stench and the green matter are signs to show that we have failed to plan and manage the waste."
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