Thus, over 30 million people in five countries share and effect the resources of the
Lake Victoria basin. Harmful activities in the catchment area ultimately have an effect on the
lake, and thus affect the livelihoods of people throughout the basin; these developments are
already disrupting the current fishing activities in the area and grossly affect the livelihood of
the local people. It is important, therefore, that the people of the region, through their
governments and civil society organizations, cooperate through multilateral coordinated action to
ensure a healthy Lake Victoria environment. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have founded the East
African Community (EAC) and are supporting the Lake Victoria Development Programme within the EAC.
Rwanda and
Burundi have also expressed interest in joining the EAC in future.