East African Community (EAC) Secretary General Veronica Nduva has hailed the newly completed Regional Maritime Rescue Centre in Mwanza as a game-changer for safety and trade on Lake Victoria.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project at Ilemela in Mwanza, Tanzania, Nduva said the facility will help save lives and strengthen regional integration once it becomes fully operational.
“Lake Victoria is a vital link between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, but it has continued to record thousands of drowning cases every year. This facility is a life-saving investment. It will allow anyone in distress, including fishermen, traders, or other lake users, to call a toll-free emergency number, 110, and immediately receive help,” she said.
Nduva explained that once a distress call is received, the RMCC team will use radar and tracking systems to pinpoint the exact location and liaise with the nearest rescue unit, whether in Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda.
The centre will also serve as the main coordination hub linking sub-centres in Kisumu (Kenya) and Entebbe (Uganda), ensuring rescue operations are seamless across borders.
“This regional approach is critical,” she said. “Many accidents occur in open waters, far from shore or close to international boundaries. The RMCC will ensure timely intervention and save lives.”
Beyond emergency response, Nduva emphasised the broader economic and integration benefits of the centre.
She said safer waters will encourage more traders, transport operators, and investors to use the lake, reducing pressure on roads, lowering transport costs, and boosting cross-border trade.
“Safety is fundamental for the free movement of people and goods. This facility will enhance connectivity, support livelihoods, and spur economic activity in fisheries, trade, tourism, and related sectors,” she said.
She commended the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) for delivering the project, noting that it demonstrates the power of regional cooperation in solving shared challenges.
LVBC Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire said the project cost USD 1.86 million, with an additional USD 500,000 invested in advanced communication technology.
The centre, he added, was funded through a combination of loan and grant financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), to be repaid by partner states.
He added that the Mwanza facility, a flagship component of the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) Project, will serve as the nerve centre for coordinating maritime search and rescue operations across Lake Victoria, reducing fatalities, protecting livelihoods, and reinforcing the lake’s role as a safe and efficient corridor for trade and integration.
LVBC, which is headquartered in Kisumu, he said, will continue to seek partnerships with development partners and EAC partner states to make the initiative a success.
By Chris Mahandara
