KISUMU, Kenya – The Orange Democratic Movement party leader, Oburu Oginga, has appealed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to have Lake Victoria as a common base without discrimination.
Conflicts over sovereignty, resource exploitation, and economic security are the root causes of the conflict between Kenya and Uganda over Lake Victoria.
“Your excellency, President Museveni, I appeal to you: make Lake Victoria a common user facility so that you can manage the security of the lake jointly with us,” said Oburu.
Oburu, who doubles as the Siaya senator, decried continued harassment from both sides of the lake shared between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
However, Kenya and Uganda fight for control of the lake’s resources and waterways, which have an impact on sustainable development, regional stability, and bilateral ties.
What are the causes of the Lake Victoria conflicts?
The conflict stems from conflicting national interests and territorial claims, especially with relation to fishing rights, water access, and navigation. To secure mutual gains and enduring peace, the conflict must be resolved through cooperative transboundary management frameworks and diplomatic engagement.
“Presidents Museveni and Ruto, I make this appeal to you: please make this lake a common user facility as it used to be when our forefathers were managing it without any conflicts in the lake at all,” he added.
Oburu made the remarks on Saturday, March 21, 2026, when he joined Presidents Museveni and William Ruto in officially launching the Sh 650 billion extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba.
He termed the move a very great day for the people of Kisumu.
“This is because this railway project was conceived during the reign of the late president Mwai Kibaki, but it was implemented during the presidency of the retired president Uhuru Kenyatta and the Ruto regime,” said Oburu.
The significance of the new SGR project to Kisumu
Oburu lauded President Ruto for spearheading the extension of the 264-kilometre Naivasha–Kisumu–Malaba SGR project.
“Mr President, you have invented a way of financing this project, and this project is now continuing not only to Kisumu but also to Malaba and up to Uganda. But, Mr President, I wonder how an unviable project five years ago has become viable five years later,” Oburu said.
According to Oburu, Presidents Ruto and Museveni had shown commitment to developing infrastructure in the region.
“Without proper infrastructure, your excellencies, it is impossible to connect our three countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. They were supposed to be one country. It is just because of the colonial divisions that they became separate countries. If you look at Kenya and Uganda, some communities are on both sides,” he explained.
Oburu exuded confidence that the Sh 650 billion SGR project will open development in the East African region.
“It is also an indication that today, Kisumu is looked at through a different mirror, and we are going to continue working together in Kenya through a broad-based arrangement,” Oburu emphasised.
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