The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) A New Approach to the Joint Management of River Basins in the NEL Region

Burundi DRC Egypt Kenya Rwanda Sudan Tanzania Uganda Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program

NELSAP- CHALLENGES High Population Growth and Poverty Economies dependent on rain-fed agriculture Low level of industrialization Environmental threats such as: overgrazing, poor crop cultivation practices, removal of vegetation cover, and uncontrolled development along lake shores and river banks The population within and outside the countries of the basin total about 135 million people Deforestation driven by the demand for wood for household and commercial fuel Recent refugee influxes

NELSAP-Objective As defined by the Nile Equatorial Lakes Minister of Water Affairs (NEL-COM) “To contribute to the eradication of poverty, to promote economic growth, and to reverse environmental degradation.”

Process to establish NELSAP Aspects of project preparation and implementation: planning at the lowest appropriate level involving all who are affected building on principles of equitable utilization, no significant harm, and cooperation benefiting all involved distributing benefits, costs and risks equitably and using available resources efficiently, and protection of the environment.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE NELSAP STRUCTURE The NEL-COM © Oversight of NELSAP project portfolio © Policy advice & guidance The NEL-TAC © Review of NELSAP project portfolio © Technical advice and guidance to the NEL-COM The NEL-CU © Facilitating agency & responsible for delivery of NELSAP © Manage information sharing, coordination, etc.

Partners NELSAP ORGANOGRAM

Seven NELSAP PROJECT Identified Within NELSAP the following seven projects have been identified: Enhanced agricultural productivity in five East African countries and the DRC; cost of implementation USD45 million. Management of fisheries and environments of Lakes Albert and Edward; cost USD 15 million. Watershed management of (i) the Kagera, (ii) Mara, and (iii) Sio- Malaba-Malakisi river basins; cost (for all three) USD10 million. Water hyacinth and water weed control in the Kagera; cost USD4 million. Hydropower (Rusumo Falls and ranking and feasibility studies of 50+MW hydroelectric power projects); cost only of preparation USD11 million. Power transmission connections Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda- Burundi-DRC; cost only of preparation USD3.2 million. Support to NEL-CU; cost USD0.7 million for preparation and implementation.

NELSAP outputs An initial set of investment projects prepared, financed & under implementation Demonstrated benefits from cross-border cooperation in poverty-focused development Cooperation at the sub-regional level strengthened and promoted

NELSAP RECENT PROGRESS 1)3 RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PROJECTS (Kagera, Mara, and Sio- Malaba-Malakisi) Selection of specialised consultancy firms to assist the RPSCs completed Stakeholder meetings initiated Full Projects funding sought

Kagera River Basin Transboundary Integrated Water Resources Management Project (IWRM)

The overall Project Objective “ To develop tools and permanent cooperation mechanisms for the joint, sustainable management of the water resources in the Kagera River Basin in order to prepare for sustainable development-oriented investments to improve the living conditions of the people and to protect the environment.”

The specific objectives of the project Establishment of a sustainable framework for joint management of the shared water resources of the Kagera River Basin. Development of an investment strategy and conducting pre-feasibility studies. Building capacity at all levels for sustainable management and development of Kagera River Basin Implementing small-scale investment projects

Project components and output Component A: To establish a sustainable permanent framework for joint management of the shared water resources of the Kagera river basin Output A1: A joint transboundary permanent management framework including a management strategy for Kagera river basin established. Output A2: Common procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment developed and agreed.

Component B: Development of an investment strategy and conducting pre-feasibility studies Output B1: A Kagera River Basin Monograph and information management database developed. Output B2: Simple model for assessing development scenarios and selection of a preferred Development Strategy Output B3: Pre-feasibility studies conducted

Component C. Building capacity at all levels for sustainable management and development of Kagera River Basin Output C1: Staff trained at national and basin levels and Basin offices strengthened. Output C2: Community awareness raising about environmental management issues and development options. Output C3: Basin wide sustainable hydro- meteorological network and water quality survey.

Component D: Implementing small scale investment projects Kagera River basin community. Output D1: Identified small-scale projects implemented.

Small Scale Investment Projects (Kagera River Basin Project) 1. Water supply/harvesting systems for people and livestock (4no., one in each country), 2. Cross Border Biodiversity (Basin catchment afforestation) 3. Review of KBO proposal for Navigability of the Kagera River 4. Wetlands Restoration Project 5. Environmental management of Lake Cohoha ecosystems 6. Environmental Awareness Raising in Akanyaru Basin

7. Akanyaru Basin Integrated Management 8. Cross-boarder Power extensions –Muhanga-Mivumba extension (33KV) (15km) (Uganda-Rwanda) –Rubare -Kagitumba extension (33KV) (25km) (Uganda-Rwanda) –Kyotera-Mutukura extension (33KV) (20km) (Uganda-Tanzania) –Rwentobo-Rwizi extension (33KV) (10km) (Uganda-Rwanda) –Bukinda-Kayitumba extension (33KV) (12km) (Uganda-Rwanda)

Long Term Investment projects 1. Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project 2. Community Hydropower systems 3. Making the Kagera Navigable 4. Afforestation in the Kagera Basin 5. Development of Tourism

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