The Sio-Malaba-Malakisi basin: Strengthening transboundary water cooperation between Kenya and Uganda
The Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) is a transboundary basin of the Nile River, shared between Kenya and Uganda. With a population of fourmillion,the SMM consists of a variety of ecosystems including lakes, rivers, forests, game reservesand national parks which are home to a rich variety of fauna and flora.
The basin's natural wealthprovides opportunities and potential for social economic development in the region. Currently, agriculture is the major socio-economic activity in the SMMemploying 85% ofpeople in the basin.However, poor agricultural practices, intensive land cultivation and sand harvestinghave resulted in extensive landscape degradationand loss of water quality in the basin. Addressing these challenges requires joint actionand investmentby both Uganda and Kenya in order toimprove the health of thetransboundary basin.
Progress inthe SMM basinhas been steady over the years and in part as a result ofthe application of the ϲʿֱֳ Benefit-Sharing Training (PDF-'Sharing the Benefits from the River').
"In particular for the SMM, theBenefit Opportunities Assessment Tool or'BOAT' was a key initial step in the development of the basin's Investment Project Plan. Likewise, using the Transboundary Instruments Development or 'TIDE' tool of the training framework, helped in the discussions and development of the SMM Memorandum of Understanding", said John Owino, ϲʿֱֳ Water Programme Officer for the East and Southern Africa office.
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Republic of Uganda, reiterated that transboundary water cooperation is not an option buta must, as water doesn't recognize political boundaries andcooperationleads to added benefits such as regional collaboration, trade, peace and security.
Gladys Wekesa fromthe Ministry of Water and Irrigation of the Republic of Kenya, noted the importance of the SMM investment planning process and institutional framework as a mechanism to enable stakeholders to realize concrete andtangible results from transboundary water cooperation.
John Musila and Dr. Isaac Alukwe, on behalf of Uganda and Kenya, respectively expressed their gratitude to the IGAD Secretariat, ϲʿֱֳ and others for organizing the meeting during which stakeholders reaffirmed their commitments to working towards strengthened cooperation in the SMM transboundary basin.
The SMM working group adopted a roadmap for the first semester of 2020 for further joint work andfinalisingthe , as well as the SMM Memorandum of Understanding.
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For more information, please contact John.Owino[@]iucn.org