Lake Kachera

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Lake Kachera
Lake Kachira.jpg
Satellite map of Lake Kachira
Location Rakai District
Coordinates-0.5851, 31.1245
Type Fresh water
Part of Lake Victoria basin
Primary inflows River Rwizi
Primary outflows Kagera River
Basin  countriesUganda
Max. length20 kilometres (12 miles)
Max. width3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles)
Surface area42 square kilometres (16 square miles)
Map of Uganda showing Rakai district Uganda Rakai.png
Map of Uganda showing Rakai district

Lake Kachera is also known as Lake Kachira, Lake Kacheera, Lake Kakyera and Lake Kachra is a shallow fresh water lake that is located in Rakai district and Mbarara district in Uganda. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] It is a part of the Mburo-Nakivale wetland system and also a part of the complex system of lakes known as Koki lakes that are separated by vast swamps. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] It is also one of the lakes that make the Victoria satellite lakes. [9] [10]

Contents

Location

Lake Kachera is located in Mbarara district in the Western part of Uganda. Lake Kachera is located at coordinates 0°35′06″S31°07′28″E / 0.5851°S 31.1245°E / -0.5851; 31.1245 . [12] [13] [14] Lake Kachera is located at an altitude of 1,232 metres (4,042 feet) above the sea level. [13] It is located near to Lake Mburo National Park. [15] [16] [11]

Lake Kachera is a part of a system of lakes known as "Koki Lakes" that are separated from Lake Victoria by an extension of vast swamps and it is also one of the lakes that make the Victoria satellite lakes. [13] [17] [16] [18] [19] The Koki lakes consist of Lake Kachera, Lake Mburo, Lake Kijanebalola and Lake Nakivali. [18]

Geography and formation

After the 1997 Elnino happening, Lake Kacheera lost most of its waters to Lake Victoria due to a massive water flow via Lake Kijjanebarora and its level fell by 3 metres. [20] Lake Kachera also lost its floating island that used to be a refugium for the fish. [20] Its shores are covered with swamps, thickets and woodlands. [21]

Lake Kachera is a shallow lake with an average depth of 5 metres (16 feet) and also cover an area of 42 square kilometres (16 square miles) and a circumference of 81 km. [22] It has a maximum length of 20 kilometres (12 miles) and width of 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles). [23]

River Ruizi flows from the Bushenyi district and passes through Lake Kachera and Lake Kijanebalola before it enters into Lake Mburo and ending in Lake Victoria. [20] [24] It drains it waters into Lake Victoria via Kagera River which is its only river out flow. [23]

River Rwizi also pours its water into Lake Victoria through Lake Kachera which is a drainage system for Lake Victoria. [25] [26] [27]

Ecology

Lake Kachera has different species of birds, fish, plants and animals. [28] [29]

Fish species

Lake Kachera has different species of fish that include; the Nile Tilapia, Singida Tilapia, Clarias, tilapiine Oreochromis esculentus (locally know as Engege), Astatoreochromis,Astatotilapia, Haragachromis, Oreochromis, Tilapia, Protopterus. [28] [30] [29] [31] [11]

Lake Kachera has native non cichlid fish that include; Clarias gariepinus, Clarias liocephalus, Protopterus aethiopicus. [32]

Plant species

Lake Kachera's shoreline vegetation is comprised of Cyperus papyrus, Cyperus esculentus, Phragmites mauritianus, forest, and banana plantations. [31] [33]

Algal species

Map of Uganda showing Mbarara district. Uganda Mbarara.png
Map of Uganda showing Mbarara district.

Lake Kachera has a total of 47 taxa and the number of Algal species in lake Kachera include; Cynophyta (17), Chlorophyta (19), Bacillariophyta (5), Euglenophyta (3), Pyrrophyta(1), Chrysophyta (1) , and Cryptophyta (1). [32]

Animal species

zooplankton

Lake Kachera has 22 species of zooplankton taxa that include; Cladocera (that includes; Ceriodaphnia cornuta, Moina micrura, Eucyclops, Mesocyclops, Toronaeus incisus, Toronaeus neglectus), Rotifera (that includes; Asplanchna, Brachionus angularis, Brachionus bidentatus, Brachionus budapestinensis, Brachionus quadridentatus, Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus falcatus, Brachionus patulus, AFilinia longiseta, F.opoliensis, Hexathra spp., K.tropica, Lecane bulla, Polyarthra, Polyarthra vulgaris, Synchaeta pectinata, Synchaeta spp., Trichocerca cylindrical. [32]

Amphibians

Lake Kachera has 8 species of amphibians that include; Bufo gutturalis (Guttural Toad), Hyperolius acuticeps (Sharp-nosed Reed Frog), Hyperolius kivuensis kivuensis (Kivu Reed Frog), Hyperolius viridiflavus bayoni, Hyperolius viridiflavus viridiflavus (Common Reed Frog), Phrynobatrachus natalensis (Natal River Frog), Ptychadena mascareniensis (Mascarene Grassland Frog), Ptychadena oxyrhynchus (Kaffirland Grasslan), Ptychadena porissisima (Ethiopia Grassland Frog), Xenopus laevis victorianus (African Clawed Frog). [32]

Reptilians

Lake Kachera has 7 species of Reptiles that include; Agama atricollis (Common Tree Agama), Cocodylus niloticus (Nile Crocodile), Mabuya maculilabris (Speckle-lipped Skink), Mabuya striata (Common Striped Skink), Naja melanoleuca (Water Cobra), Python sebae (Rock Python), Varanus niloticus (Monitor Lizard). [32]

Mammals

Lake Kachera has 5 species of mammals that include; Atilax paludinosus (Marsh Mongoose), Hippopotamus amphibius (Hippopotamus), Lophuromys sikapusi (Common Brush-furred Bat), Lutra maculicollis (Spot-necked Otter), Praomys jacksoni (Jackson’s Soft-furred Rat). [32]

Economic and human activities

Fishing, Fish processing, tourism, agriculture, livestock keeping, Mixed farming are some of the economic activities that are carried out around Lake Kachera. [34] [35] [36] [37]

Conservation

Rakai district authories campaign for sustainable fishing by giving fishermen guidelines and making new rules and regulations such restricting fishing on some landing sites, arresting those who participate in illegal fishing activities by through water and land patrols and also partnering with the Uganda government agencies and fishing community organizations (BMU). [38] [39] [40] [41]

From 2017 to 2020, National Environment Management Authority of Uganda (NEMA) restored 200 hactres of the degraded Lake Kachera shoreline wetland ecosystem in Kiruhura district through buffer zone demarcation, tree planting and removal of illegal structures in the buffer zones, and community sensitization on ecosystem management. [42] [43] [44]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "Smelly water threatens livelihoods in lyantonde". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ↑ Fred, Turyakira (2021-06-04). "Companies asked for support to save river Rwizi". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  3. ↑ THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  4. ↑ "OpenStreetMap". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ↑ Independent, The (2022-01-27). "Rakai launches campaign for sustainable fishing on Lake Kachera, Kijanebarola". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  6. ↑ "Lake Kachira lake, Western Region, Uganda". ug.geoview.info. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  7. ↑ Dismas, Mbabazi (2009-01-01). Rapid assessment of the fish biodiversity of the Mburo-Nakivali wetland systems and Opeta-Bisina wetland systems, Uganda (PDF). Uganda: Nature Uganda. pp. 76, 77, 80.
  8. ↑ "Lake Kachera". Inside Lake Mburo National Park. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  9. 1 2 Kibwika, Daniel (2000). "Human activities and interests within and around lakes of the Victoria and Kyoga basin and their consequences to sustainable fish production, Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use". Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use. Uganda: National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI). pp. 4, 7. hdl:1834/35204.
  10. 1 2 Eric O., Odada; Daniel O., Olago; Washington O., Ochola (2006). Environment for Development: An Ecosystems Assessment of Lake Victoria Basin Environmental and Socio-economic Status, Trends and Human Vulnerabilities (PDF). Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Pan African START Secretariat (PASS). pp. 79, 83, 93, 98, 102, 104, 109, 110, 111.
  11. 1 2 3 "Lake Kachera". Inside Lake Mburo National Park. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  12. ↑ "OpenStreetMap". OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  13. 1 2 3 "Lake Kachera". Inside Lake Mburo National Park. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  14. ↑ "Lake Kachera". Mbarara Tours. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  15. ↑ THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  16. 1 2 Dismas, Mbabazi (2009-01-01). Rapid assessment of the fish biodiversity of the Mburo-Nakivali wetland systems and Opeta-Bisina wetland systems, Uganda (PDF). Uganda: Nature Uganda. pp. 76, 77, 80.
  17. ↑ Kibwika, Daniel (2000). "Human activities and interests within and around lakes of the Victoria and Kyoga basin and their consequences to sustainable fish production, Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use". Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use. Uganda: National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI). pp. 4, 7. hdl:1834/35204.
  18. 1 2 Eric O., Odada; Daniel O., Olago; Washington O., Ochola (2006). Environment for Development: An Ecosystems Assessment of Lake Victoria Basin Environmental and Socio-economic Status, Trends and Human Vulnerabilities (PDF). Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Pan African START Secretariat (PASS). pp. 79, 83, 93, 98, 102, 104, 109, 110, 111.
  19. ↑ "Smelly water threatens livelihoods in lyantonde". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  20. 1 2 3 Kibwika, Daniel (2000). "Human activities and interests within and around lakes of the Victoria and Kyoga basin and their consequences to sustainable fish production, Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use". Biodiversity of Lake Victoria: Its conservation and sustainable use. Uganda: National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI). pp. 4, 7. hdl:1834/35204.
  21. ↑ Braczkowski, Aleksander; Schenk, Ralph; Samarasinghe, Dinal; Biggs, Duan; Richardson, Allie; Swanson, Nicholas; Swanson, Merlin; Dheer, Arjun; Fattebert, Julien (2022-01-27). "Leopard and spotted hyena densities in the Lake Mburo National Park, southwestern Uganda". PeerJ. 10: e12307. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12307 . ISSN   2167-8359. PMC   8801179 . PMID   35127275.
  22. ↑ THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  23. 1 2 Dismas, Mbabazi (2009-01-01). Rapid assessment of the fish biodiversity of the Mburo-Nakivali wetland systems and Opeta-Bisina wetland systems, Uganda (PDF). Uganda: Nature Uganda. pp. 76, 77, 80.
  24. ↑ Habari (2023-01-05). "Attractions in Mbarara | Mbarara City Tour | Uganda Safaris Tours". www.habariugandatours.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  25. ↑ "River Rwizi on the verge of drying up". Monitor. 2021-09-12. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  26. ↑ "Conservationists walk 330 kilometres to save River Rwizi". Monitor. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  27. ↑ "Mbarara: A city choking on plastic waste". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  28. 1 2 "Lake Kachera". Inside Lake Mburo National Park. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  29. 1 2 THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  30. ↑ Independent, The (2022-01-27). "Rakai launches campaign for sustainable fishing on Lake Kachera, Kijanebarola". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  31. 1 2 Dismas, Mbabazi (2009-01-01). Rapid assessment of the fish biodiversity of the Mburo-Nakivali wetland systems and Opeta-Bisina wetland systems, Uganda (PDF). Uganda: Nature Uganda. pp. 76, 77, 80.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Eric O., Odada; Daniel O., Olago; Washington O., Ochola (2006). Environment for Development: An Ecosystems Assessment of Lake Victoria Basin Environmental and Socio-economic Status, Trends and Human Vulnerabilities (PDF). Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Pan African START Secretariat (PASS). pp. 79, 83, 93, 98, 102, 104, 109, 110, 111.
  33. ↑ "Smelly water threatens livelihoods in lyantonde". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  34. ↑ Independent, The (2022-01-27). "Rakai launches campaign for sustainable fishing on Lake Kachera, Kijanebarola". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  35. ↑ THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  36. ↑ Dismas, Mbabazi (2009-01-01). Rapid assessment of the fish biodiversity of the Mburo-Nakivali wetland systems and Opeta-Bisina wetland systems, Uganda (PDF). Uganda: Nature Uganda. pp. 76, 77, 80.
  37. ↑ HULME, D. (1998). COMMUNITY CONSERVATION IN PRACTICE: A CASE STUDY OF LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK (PDF). Crawford House, Precinct Centre, Oxford Road, MANCHESTER M13 9GH: Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester. pp. 14, 30, 36. ISBN   1-900728915.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  38. ↑ Independent, The (2022-01-27). "Rakai launches campaign for sustainable fishing on Lake Kachera, Kijanebarola". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  39. ↑ THREE YEAR PRODUCTION SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDF). Uganda: RAKAI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. pp. 6, 8, 14, 15.
  40. ↑ The Uganda Gazette (PDF). 53. Vol. CIII. Uganda: Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) (published 2010-09-03). 2010. pp. 195, 196, 214.
  41. ↑ Local government Workplan for 2013/14, Vote: 549 Rakai District (PDF). Uganda: Ministry of Finance, Government of Uganda. pp. 45, 46, 100.
  42. ↑ ANNUALCORPORATE REPORT FOR 2018/19 (PDF). Uganda: National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). 2019. pp. 17, 18, 44.
  43. ↑ Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2019 (PDF). Uganda: Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda. 2019. pp. 122, 152, 153.
  44. ↑ Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2020 (PDF). Uganda: Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda. 2020. p. 196.
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