STEVEN M. LaPORTE Sep 30, 2009
Last Updated on Monday, Sep 28, 2009 - 07:49:41 pm AKDT. News and Features for Wasilla, Alaska. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Riding the digital express Sep 16, 2009
The newly-created Victoria Institute of Science and Technology (VIST) in Kisumu, on the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria, is one such project of which I am a part. Instead of preparing students to go look for jobs, VIST seeks to train young people to create enterprises. (BBC News -- Technology)
Kenya: World Bank Warns of Declining Food Production Sep 16, 2009
People living inland, especially around Lake Victoria, require special attention because the speed at which forests are being destroyed could see the lake lose 50 per cent of its species within decades. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
African kin seek Obama’s help Sep 13, 2009
Dreams alone seem to be sustaining those counting on an economic boom in this rural corner of western Kenya, near Lake Victoria, where the American president s father - also named Barack Obama - grew up and where many of his relatives remain. In Kogelo, the village where Barack Sr. was raised, there is no restaurant or post office to speak of. (Boston Globe)
Uganda: Police Clash With Kabaka Supporters on Kampala Streets Sep 12, 2009
Uganda's largest and most politically powerful kingdom, Buganda is located in the central region along the shores of Lake Victoria ... On the eastern shores of Lake Victoria where the source of the River Nile is located, Busoga is one of the country's oldest kingdoms. (allAfrica.com)
Giant Stone-age Axes Found In African Lake Basin Sep 12, 2009
Researchers from the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford are surveying the now-dry basin of Lake Makgadikgadi in the Kalahari Desert, which at 66,000 square kilometres is about the same size of present day Lake Victoria. Their research was prompted by the discovery of the first of what are believed to be the world s largest stone tools on the bed of the lake. (Science Daily)
Uganda: Govt Acts to Protect Lakes, Wetlands Sep 10, 2009
He said that recent satellite images show water in Lake Victoria as well as these two lakes is drying up. "In these lakes water is drying up, yet they are water stressed areas. It's possible that these lakes can vanish any time and you find there is no water," Mr Bagyenda said. (allAfrica.com)
Local volunteers see benefits, feel blessings from mission work (127) Sep 8, 2009
A group of Watermark Church members recently returned from a mission trip visiting the islands of Lake Victoria. The group from First Methodist and First Baptist leaves Sept. 7 and will fly first to Luxembourg. (Boerne Star, TX)
Uganda: Sudan Border Shut Sep 3, 2009
Uganda's myriad border problems straddle from Mutukula in the south to Migingo on Lake Victoria and up on the eastern flank to Amudat in Moroto District. In 2007, Ugandan and Congolese soldiers briefly fought over the ownership of Rukwanzi Island on Lake Albert following oil discoveries in that region, a skirmish that eventually triggered other border disputes at Goli and Vurra Custom posts in Nebbi and Arua Districts, respectively. (allAfrica.com)
Uganda: Sudanese Soldiers Attack Farmers Over Land Sep 2, 2009
Early this year, tempers flared between Kampala and Nairobi after both Uganda and Kenya claimed ownership of Migingo Island on Lake Victoria. A joint technical team comprising surveyors from both countries, mandated to delineate the border using colonial maps and modern equipments, abandoned work nearly a month ago after disagreeing on the survey process. (allAfrica.com)
UN seeks better data on hurricanes, droughts Sep 1, 2009
Annan's project began with the installation of 19 stations in East Africa's Lake Victoria region, taking advantage of the security, maintenance and electrical power already provided for the towers. Phone towers in almost every part of Africa already greatly exceed the continent's traditional weather monitoring systems, Annan said. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Developing nations need better climate data, Annan says Sep 1, 2009
Annan s project began with the installation of 19 stations in East Africa s Lake Victoria region, taking advantage of the security, maintenance, and electrical power already provided for the towers. Phone towers in almost every part of Africa already greatly exceed the continent s traditional weather monitoring systems, Annan said. (Boston Globe)
Kenya: Heed the Weatherman's Warning On El Nino Rains [editorial] Aug 29, 2009
Thousands of Kenyans lost property in ensuing floods in unexpected places such the usually dry Garissa and Tana River districts besides the usually vulnerable places such as Busia District's Budalangi and Kano Plains on the shores of Lake Victoria. Kenya also suffered massive infrastructure destruction after the rains swept away large sections of bitumen and loose surface roads rendering many parts of the country inaccessible. (allAfrica.com)
Why so poor? Aug 24, 2009
Fisherman on Lake Victoria ... "The gap between the rich and the poor in Africa is still growing," said a fisherman on the shores of Lake Victoria. (BBC News -- Africa)
* Trouble is bubbling over a lively lump of lava in East Africa Aug 20, 2009
A tiny island in Lake Victoria that hosts fishermen and prostitutes has become the focus of enmity between Kenya and Uganda X to the detriment of everyone ... But Lake Victoria, one of the worlds biggest bodies of fresh water, which 30 million impoverished Africans depend on for their survival, may be running out of these fish ... Youve got an ecosystem that is totally out of balance now, said Nick Nuttall, a spokesman for the UN Environment Program, which has been closely watching Lake... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Highlights for Adventure Travel in ... Aug 17, 2009
For visitors to Entebbe, a more convenient option might be to see a group of orphaned chimps at their sanctuary on Ngamba Island, which lies on Lake Victoria, a 45-minutes boat-ride from Entebbe ... White Water Rafting: One of the Nile s sources is Lake Victoria ... Near Jinja, where the Nile pours out of Lake Victoria, the river has, in the last decade, become one of Africa's premiere white-water rafting destinations. (Suite101.com)
Tangled fishing row on Lake Victoria Aug 16, 2009
A dispute has erupted between Kenya and Uganda over fishing rights on a tiny, rocky island in the middle of Lake Victoria. Peter Greste reports on the knotty issue of the ownership of Migingo Island. (BBC News -- Africa)
Red Tail Haplochromis Species 44 Aug 14, 2009
Popular and Colorful Cichlid from Lake Victoria in Africa ... The introduction of the to Lake Victoria in the 1950 s drove the Haplochromis to extinction, along with a few hundred more species of smaller cichlids. (Suite101.com)
Tanzania: Firm Finds Vast Gold Deposits Aug 13, 2009
Lake Victoria Mining Company said in its August 6 statement that initial assay results from an underground sampling suggested that gold was present in a five-kilometre strip at a staggering grade of 7 ... Prior to the identification, Lake Victoria Mining geologists had collected 175 underground samples from 36 mine shafts within a five-kilometre long trend between June 13 and July 8 this year ... According to the statement, the samples were analysed at the company's laboratory in Mwanza, which... (allAfrica.com)
Uganda: Hippos Appear Near Kampala Aug 10, 2009
The hippos have become a regular spectacle at the shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort, Munyonyo ... They are thought to have come from parts of Lake Victoria near Kaazi or Entebbe ... Two years ago, part of Lake Victoria near Munyonyo, Kaazi and around the Buvuma islands, was declared a Commonwealth reserve and marine park because of its diversity in species, but nothing has been done to protect the area. (allAfrica.com)
NYC hot dog vendor evicted over whopping rent bill Aug 9, 2009
The Kenyan government will evict thousands of people from the country's largest forest to protect the watershed for Lake Victoria, a source of the Nile, the prime minister said Friday. Humans have built homes and farms and cut down trees for timber in a complex of forests in southwestern Kenya known as the Mau. (Fresno Bee)
Kenya to evict squatters in key forest Aug 1, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya - The Kenyan government will evict thousands of people from the country's largest forest to protect the watershed for Lake Victoria, a source of the Nile, the prime minister said Friday. Humans have built homes and farms and cut down trees for timber in a complex of forests in southwestern Kenya known as the Mau. (MSNBC -- International)
Kenya: The Country and the U.S. - Meeting the Growing Challenge in East Africa [document] Aug 1, 2009
The snow capped ridges of Mt. Kenya, the open savannah of the Masai Mara, the calm waters of Lake Victoria and the country's stunning Indian Ocean beaches make it a paradise for those who love nature and the out doors. But even richer than the beauty of the land is the character and quality of Kenya's people. (allAfrica.com)
Kenyan PM: Government To Evict People From Forest Aug 1, 2009
(AP) The Kenyan government will evict thousands of people from the country's largest forest to protect the watershed for Lake Victoria, a source of the Nile, the prime minister said Friday. Humans have built homes and farms and cut down trees for timber in a complex of forests in southwestern Kenya known as the Mau. (CBS News -- World)
ZIMBABWE CRISIS Jul 30, 2009
Mugabe raised the question while speaking on the theme of "Inclusivity and national visions" at the Global 2009 Dialogue conference at the Munyonyo resort on the shores of Lake Victoria on 27 July. Fambai Ngirande, advocacy and marketing manager of the National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO), an NGO umbrella organization, told IRIN: "If NGOs are banned then that would jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans to the point of being catastrophic. Millions of... (AlertNet)
Uganda: Fishermen Get Connected on L. Victoria Jul 30, 2009
Kampala Zain has partnered with Ericsson to install 21 energy efficient sites in Lake Victoria to improve water safety and rescue capability in the lake ... About 5,000 lives are lost annually due to drowning on Lake Victoria ... A public dialogue will be held in September to explore ways of ensuring that the Lake Victoria Rescue Initiative remains on track and funded. (allAfrica.com)
Wilmar Plantation to invest US$10mil in Uganda Jul 30, 2009
We have another two Malaysian-related companies, Lake Victoria Convention Centre and Resort and Phenix Logistics (U) Ltd, involved in joint venture businesses with local partners. This is a good omen for us as more foreign investors and tourists are coming to Uganda as a result of the Smart Partnership Dialogue here in 2001, she said. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Maritime disasters over decades Jul 29, 2009
May 21, 1996: A ferry sinks in Lake Victoria in east Africa, killing more than 800 people. Sept. 28, 1994: The ferry Estonia sinks during a storm in the Baltic Sea, killing 852 people. (India Times)
East Africa: Tourism in Kenya And Tanzania At Risk Jul 29, 2009
The river originates from the Mau Escarpment and eventually drains into Lake Victoria, having covered a distance of 395 km through the migratory routes of animals in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Loss of diversity. (allAfrica.com)
Zambia: Dialogue Key to Beating Economic Challenges, Says Banda Jul 28, 2009
The president later proceeded to join other heads of State and Government at the prestigious Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort on the shores of Lake Victoria, the venue for the three days conference. Among heads of State and Government that have already arrived are Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Malaysian Prime minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib. (allAfrica.com)
Tanzania: MPs Want Mine Closed for Polluting River Jul 28, 2009
He was later supported by Dr Gertrude Mongela of neighbouring Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria ... Dr Mongela, a former president of the Pan-African parliament, said poisoning was a serious threat to the biodiversity of Lake Victoria. (allAfrica.com)
Dirty biscuit? Jul 26, 2009
11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. (at Downtown at the Gardens), Palm Beach Gardens, (561) 340-2112, rasushi. com. (The Palm Beach Post)
East Africa: Deadlock Over Migingo Island Jul 24, 2009
Kampala Efforts to resolve the disputed ownership of the tiny Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have hit a stalemate. First Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya said yesterday Uganda may consider taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague or involve another country if Uganda and Kenya fail to agree. (allAfrica.com)
Rocky ground Jul 22, 2009
Sailing on the waters of East Africa's Lake Victoria, a shine of metal on the horizon catches your eye ... The dispute originates in the rich fishing waters of Lake Victoria. (BBC News -- Africa)
Kenya: Nation Faces Crop Failure Jul 21, 2009
However the report mentioned that production estimates are likely to be relatively favourable in western maize growing regions, bordering Lake Victoria, which received near normal rainfall from March to June. "Preliminary forecasts from the Ministry of Agriculture estimate maize production at 2.4 million tonnes for the long rains season, 16 per cent below the average of the past five years," said the report, adding that the shortfall is likely though in the harvesting scheduled to begin next... (allAfrica.com)
Southern Africa: New Bid to Cope With Zambezi Floods Jul 9, 2009
" As monitored in Zambia for example, traditional rain and dry season cycles, are no longer predictable and existing community warning systems are no longer enough to protect those living in the Zambezi basin area. Finding solutions In a bid to address the impact of climate change and its effects on these communities, the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies have created the cross-border Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI). Conceived in 2008 and launched last... (allAfrica.com)
Downtown at the Gardens faces foreclosure Jul 7, 2009
It seeks foreclosure on the property, at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., based on a mortgage made for $140 million. The affiliate of Ashkenazy & Agus Ventures bought the shopping center s mortgage from in January. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Africa: Trade Talks Turn to Over-Fishing Jul 3, 2009
Aimee Gonzales from the WWF has a different perspective: "The size of the boat does not matter as long as you fish in areas that are overexploited. Small is not always beautiful. In Lake Victoria pirogues are not longer than 10 meters, but they are still harmful. What matters is the activity, not the size. "There should not be carte blanche just because the fishery is small. The way you manage the fishery is crucial, but some developing countries want conditions on management to remain... (allAfrica.com)
Uganda: Museveni Defends Kampala Takeover Jun 30, 2009
The Bill also defines the new boundaries of the capital, swallowing Kira town council and Entebbe municipality in Wakiso district and extending into Lake Victoria. Asked about reports of a new rebel group in northern Uganda, the President said those arrested would be dealt with by the courts of law. (allAfrica.com)
Uganda's dilemma of competing goals Jun 30, 2009
But Lake Victoria, the world s largest tropical lake that is shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, is dramatically degraded and drying up ... Lake Victoria is symbolic of a Uganda that stands at a precipice. (Boston Globe)
Tanzania: Country Opens Alternative Trade Route Jun 30, 2009
Imports and exports were blocked again earlier this year when youth in Kibera slum uprooted the railway line in protest over what they called Uganda's continued occupation of Migingo Island in Lake Victoria. But Kinunda said the Tanzania Port Authority was not competing with Mombasa for the Ugandan market. (allAfrica.com)
Timeline: Kenya Jun 23, 2009
Early 1900s - White settlers move into highlands, railway built from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. 1920 - East African Protectorate becomes crown colony of Kenya - administered by a British governor. (BBC News -- Africa)
Mobiles boost Africa climate data Jun 19, 2009
So far the project's pilot phase has seen 19 stations established around Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Organisers acknowledge more funding will be needed to attain the final goal of 5,000 stations. (BBC News -- Technology)
Annan backs better weather forecasting for Africa Jun 19, 2009
The project has already begun with the installation of 19 automatic weather stations on cellular phone towers in East Africa's Lake Victoria region, with basic weather data collected at each tower and transmitted to national weather services ... Weather information is vital for the 150,000 fishermen on Lake Victoria, said economist Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who participated in a video presentation. (USA Today -- Weather)
East Africa: Kenya's Migingo Motion Needless, Says Ugandan Govt May 29, 2009
The disputed island is home to about 200 people and a docking station for the lucrative fishing area of Lake Victoria. In February, Nyanza provincial authorities accused Ugandan fisheries officials of trespassing and illegally collecting sh50,000 in annual operation fees in the Kenyan area. (allAfrica.com)
Albinos living in fear May 29, 2009
Sorcery and the occult maintain a strong foothold in this part of the world, especially in the remote rural areas around the fishing and mining regions of Mwanza, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Nobody seems to know why the killings are happening now, but Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is now putting pressure on the police to identify where albinos live and offer them protection. (BBC News -- Africa)
In hiding for witchdoctor expose May 29, 2009
This year, at least 25 people with albinism have been killed, mostly in the Lake Victoria Zone, especially the Mwanza, Shinyanga and Mara areas. Winifrida Rutahiro (2nd left) is one albino who fears for her life. (BBC News -- Africa)
Kenya Gives Go-Ahead to Deploy Army in Land Row With Uganda May 28, 2009
Kampala Kenya's Parliament has given President Mwai Kibaki a go-ahead to deploy the military in case diplomacy fails in the ongoing row over Migingo, the tiny island in Lake Victoria both Uganda and Kenya claim. The House also allowed Kibaki to seek the help of the United Nations Security Council if the matter threatens regional peace and security, according to the Daily Nation. (allAfrica.com)
Rwanda: Canadian Court Passes Guilty Verdict in First Genocide Trial May 25, 2009
Thousands of Tutsis were either killed or bound alive during the Genocide and thrown into River Nyabarongo - a tributary of the Nile - they ended up on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Munyaneza's case saw 66 witnesses, most of them survivors, paraded by the prosecution. (allAfrica.com)
Tanzania and Uganda May 24, 2009
PERSONAL ATTENTION: Her trip ended with three nights at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. "Even though elephants are my favorite animal, my favorite day was on Ngamba when I got to walk with the chimpanzees. One of them jumped on my back and I gave her a piggyback ride. I have a tattoo on my wrist, and she was grooming me, trying to get it off with her fingernails. She untied my shoes, pulled out my laces, and tried to relace them.". (Boston Globe)
Kenya: The Analyst - Kenya Wants 'Mad Bahima' Arrested May 22, 2009
In a strong statement issued in Nairobi this week, top Kenyan officials said that "crazy" Bahima from Uganda had invaded a certain Migingo Island in Lake Victoria in order to graze their cows there. "First, these Bahima invaded the Turkana region wearing red, checkered wrappers pretending to be our brothers the Karimojong. But when we looked under the wrappers, we immediately concluded that no way could they be Karimojong," the Kenyan PM, Orgy-Nga Ordy-Nga, told The Analyst. (allAfrica.com)
Compassion flows May 19, 2009
Composed largely of Helenans, the group formed last year and has already made one visit to Tanzania, completing two water wells in an impoverished region between Lake Victoria and the Serengeti. The wells provide the only potable water for nearly 3,000 people living in the villages of Manala and Sambaguli. (Helena Independent Record)
Kenyan MPs' fury over island row May 14, 2009
The two East African nations are conducting a joint survey to verify ownership of the Migingos in the rich fishing waters of Lake Victoria. The exercise is due to last two months and both countries have agreed to call an independent expert in case of further dispute. (BBC News -- Africa)
Biocontrol For Wide-Ranging Thrips May 13, 2009
(July 10, 2007) Scientists have implemented a successful bioeradication program of an invasive water weed in Africa's Lake Victoria. Two insect biocontrol species, weevils in the genus Neochetina, were used, along. (Science Daily)
Kenya: Villagers Test Carbon Benefits Project May 12, 2009
The Carbon Benefits Project was launched today in communities in and around Lake Victoria by UNEP and the World Agroforestry Centre, along with a range of other key partners. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project is already being carried out in communities in Niger, Nigeria and China, where scientists are developing a system for measuring, monitoring and managing carbon in a diverse range of landscapes. (allAfrica.com)
Africa: Sharing Knowledge to Improve Lives May 5, 2009
Researchers and practitioners will present on a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from safeguarding intellectual property rights and indigenous African plants like aloe vera to discussions of the importance of open access to scientific and research publications and strengthening rural communities' responses to climate change around Lake Victoria. "Our activities and programmes are formulated to support and empower communities in Africa. For example, the aloe vera plant which is used for... (allAfrica.com)
Green.view: Illegal aliens May 5, 2009
Not so, however, the disastrous introduction of Nile perch to Lake Victoria 50 years ago. The fish were placed in the lake as a catch for local fishermen. (The Economist)
Impala Mineral Exploration Announces Acquisition of Busolwa Gold Property in Tanzania's Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt - Home to Two World-Class Gold Mines May 2, 2009
com), announced today the company has acquired the Busolwa Gold Property located in the Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt in the south-eastern part of the Geita District in Tanzania ... In the Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt, gold mineralization has been found by a number of mining companies and two global mining companies are currently operating world-class gold mines there. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Rwanda: Government Urged to Lift Ban On BBC's Local Broadcasts [press release] May 1, 2009
The temporary ban on the BBC's programmes in Kinyarwanda was announced on 26 April, a day after the programme "Imvo n'Imvano" (Heart of the Problem) included an interview in which former Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu said that as a Hutu, he could "never give in to Tutsi demands to apologize for the 1994 genocide." Another interviewee said the bodies of Rwandans that washed up on the banks of Lake Victoria during the genocide were those of Hutus killed by the rebels of the Rwandan Patriotic... (allAfrica.com)
East Africa: Migingo Deadline Extended Apr 30, 2009
Kampala The deadline for the joint technical team to demarcate the boundary between Uganda and Kenya in Lake Victoria has been extended to the end of June ... "The two leaders agreed that a joint survey team, which was directed by the two governments to carry out a joint survey of the boundary on Lake Victoria, should conclude its work expeditiously and in any case not later than 60 days from today," a statement said. (allAfrica.com)
Uganda: Country Removes Flag on Migingo Apr 29, 2009
Kampala Uganda has lowered its flag on the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria to pave way for the demarcation exercise. At the directive of President Yoweri Museveni, the flag came down at 6:30pm on Monday in a ceremony led by the assistant Police superintendent, Agapitus Ecotu. (allAfrica.com)
Uganda lowers disputed isle flag Apr 29, 2009
Uganda has lowered a flag on an island on Lake Victoria at the centre of a dispute with Kenya ... Kenya and Uganda have had several conflicts in the past over fishing activities on Lake Victoria. (BBC News -- Africa)
Extras sought in Havasu area for horror movie Apr 28, 2009
Travis McAfee of Good Faith Casting says Lake Havasu will be called Lake Victoria in the movie. An initial casting call was aimed primarily at Lake Havasu residents. (AZCentral -- News)
Coming at you in March: 'Piranha 3-D' Apr 17, 2009
Young people on spring break at Lake Victoria are in danger when a tremor unleashes a primal terror. A lone, plucky sheriff must keep the community and its visitors safe. (USA Today -- Life)
East Africa: Kenyans Cut Off Uganda Trade Link Apr 17, 2009
Despite his caution, seven MPs from the Lake Victoria region have asked Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to declare Uganda "a hostile neighbour" and forcefully take control of the island ... Both Kenya and Uganda claim ownership of the one-acre island in Lake Victoria. (allAfrica.com)
