A Quarterly Newsletter of the Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) Coordination Unit Nelsap News Issue No 005 - January - March 2018

Inside. Creation of the River Basin Management Projects and their anchor- age to NELSAP Message from the Regional Coordinator Eng. Elly Elicad Nyabeeya With continuous of staff quarters almost at the finish implementation of line and the deviation of water is planned activities, it being implemented. More so has is always a pleasure been done in developing the Project for us at NELSAP Affected Persons (PAPs) in Liveli- to inform the gen- hood Restoration Program (LRP) and eral public of what the Local Area Development Plan we really do and be (LADP) that aims at developing the accountable for what district where the project is being nations expect of us. built in the three countries. NELSAP News This quarter has been a busy one as usual In understanding our mission at and we are much NELSAP which is to contribute to the Inside. delighted to continue eradication of poverty, promote eco- sharing with you of nomic growth, and reverse environ- what we have done mental degradation in the Nile Equa- every quarter. torial Lakes Region, we always work towards achieving that at all costs. Our activities always Creation of the River Basin Management evolve around different projects Overseeing the implementation of Projects and their anchorage to NELSAP P.4-5 implemented by our program. The jointly agreed projects in member Regional Rusumo Hydro-electric states and jointly promoting cooper- Project (RRFHP), the Nile Coordi- ative in the region and making the nated Results (NCORE) Project, the common use of the Nile Basin water Lakes Edward and Albert Fisheries resources, we have continued to NELSAP develops a Catchment Manage- phase II (LEAFII), the Nyimur Water contribute to the development of Nile ment Planning Manual for practitioners P.7 Multipurpose Project (Nyimur MPP), Basin member states through our Mara River Management Project, Multi-national projects. Sio Malaba Malakisi Project and the The quarter ended well and as we ongoing NELSAP Capacity Develop- start the quarter to the end of 2017, The Livelihood Restoration Program: ment Project (AFD). which will be the busiest, we will Madina’s Story P.8-9 keep you updated and work as hard As you will understand, the Rusumo with each project with the aim of gen- Hydro Electric Power Project has erating more benefits to the citizens construction has progressed steadi- of NEL member states n News in brief ly especially with the construction P.11 NELSAP News - Issue 005 2 Message from the Communications Desk

By Doreen NAKURE

The beginning of 2018 was a time for us at NELSAP to mark our calendars and get to work as it is expected of us and in this quarter, many events and activities were realized.

The Regional Rusumo Hydroelectric Power project finished a year since implementation phase started with the ground breaking ceremony of March 2017. The civil constructions of the project are on a stable progress and the social development projects taking the lead in improving the lives of the Project Affected Persons. The Local Area Development Program in the neighbouring districts of the three member states and the Livelihood Restoration Program are both exciting the beneficiaries with great benefits.

NELSAP through the Mara River Basin Management Project handed over the draft detailed designs reports and tender documents of Mara Valley and Ngono water resources development projects and the other same proj- ects are expected to be handed over to the government of Kenya and Ugan- Our Mission da in the next quarter. To contribute to the eradication The projects under Mara RBM just like the Basin Manage- ment Project and Sio Malaba Malakisi RBM project were developed as the of poverty, economic growth, and three pre-investment projects to bring out different outcomes as you will reversal of environmental find the detailed information in this newsletter.

degradation in the Nile Equatorial With the aim of fulfilling our mandate, many activities in different projects Lakes region happened and we will keep informing you more of our actions and projects through the quarterly newsletters and our social media platforms regularly.

Have a great read, until next issue n Follow us

Reach out to us through Twitter: @Nelsapcu Facebook: @Nelsapcu/NBI [email protected] or Flickr: nelsap cu [email protected] Website: nelsap.nilebasin.org

NELSAP News - Issue 005 NELSAP News- Issue 005 3 Eng. Arsène Mukubwa Water Resources Engineer

After recognizing the need to take concrete steps to- wards realization of the development of the Nile potential while the dialogue on a per- manent legal and institutional framework con- tinued, the Nile riparian states took a historic step towards cooperation in the establishment of the (NBI) in 1999 by the Council of Ministers in the region.

After the establishment of the NBI, a strategic action programme was launched to translate the NBI’s shared vision into action. The strate- gic action programme consisted of two comple- mentary sub-programmes; the Shared Vision Programme (SVP) of technical assistance and capacity building projects to be implemented basin-wide creating an enabling environment for cooperative development, and Subsidiary Creation of the River Basin Manage- Action Programmes (SAPs) carried out by smaller groups of Nile riparian states, compris- ment Projects and their anchorage to NELSAP ing of physical investment at sub-basin level.

A set of guiding principles were then adopted ship of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia then (in- NBI shared vision. Within the framework of for the SAPs with the main guideline being; cludes South Sudan now) ENSAP, and the Nile the NBI, NELSAP seeks to achieve joint action “Action on the ground needs to be planned at Equatorial Lakes Region SAP with membership on the ground, promote poverty alleviation, the lowest appropriate level (the principle of of six countries (Burundi, Democratic Republic economic growth, and the reversal of the envi- subsidiarity). Given the hydrological conditions of Congo, Kenya, , and Ugan- ronmental degradation in the Nile Equatorial of the Nile Basin, action on the ground will da) on the as well as Sudan and Lakes Sub-Basin. mainly be planned and implemented at sub-ba- Egypt and South Sudan now (NELSAP). sin level.” At the inception of NELSAP, the NEL riparian NELSAP was established in December 1999, states identified and prioritised seven projects In line with this guideline, two SAPs were with the aim of complimenting the shared based on the agreed criteria for selecting NEL- formed; i.e. the Eastern Nile SAP with member- vision program and fostering realization of the SAP projects which includes:  P. 5 NELSAP News - Issue 005 4 Creation of the River Basin Management Projects and their anchorage to NELSAP P.4  Unit) is for some reasons located in Kigali/ Mara, and Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River Basins Rwanda, the Mara RBM PMU in Musoma/Tan- in order to prepare for sustainable develop- 1. Enhanced agricultural productivity zania, and the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi RBM PMU ment-oriented investments to improve the in five East African countries and the DR in Kakamega/Kenya. living conditions of the people and to protect Congo; the environment.” The main objective of the three projects is 2. Management of fisheries and environ- “to develop tools and permanent cooperation The intended outcomes of the three pre-invest- ments of Lakes Albert and Edward; mechanisms for the joint sustainable man- ment projects as designed included (i) appro- agement of the water resources in the Kagera, priate institutional cooperative frameworks for 3. Watershed management of the Kag- the three basins; (ii) baseline natural and social era, Mara, and Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River information; (iii) agreed investment plans and Basins; financial resources mobilized for downstream investment; and (iv) small scale investment 4. Water hyacinth and water weed con- For the time being, there is projects for ensuring that direct returns from trol in the Kagera; cooperation reach the beneficiaries. 5. Hydropower (Rusumo Falls, ranking much evidence to show that and undertaking feasibility studies of progress on cooperation be- For the time being, there is much evidence to 50+MW hydroelectric power projects); show that progress on cooperation between tween the respective riparian the respective riparian countries has exceeded 6. Power transmission connections Ken- expectations. The first documented evidence is ya--Rwanda-Burundi-DRC; and countries has exceeded expec- the bilateral agreements under the River Basin Management projects, which were signed in ac- 7. Support to the NELSAP Coordination tations. The first documented cordance with the planned time lines. Further- Unit. more, countries cooperated in drafting the Ba- evidence is the bilateral agree- sin Monographs and in the selection of projects. It is in this context that three transboundary ments under the River Basin While these aspects are the most tangible, other River Basin Management (RBM) Projects examples of cooperation tell much more about were established respectively for Kagera Basin Management programme, which the embedded nature of bilateral and regional which is shared between the four countries of cooperation like the data sharing (through the Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda; the were signed in accordance with hydromet programme), study tours and com- Mara Basin which is shared between Kenya and munity exchange visits. Tanzania; and the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi Basin the planned time lines. which is shared between Kenya and Uganda. The Kagera RBM PMU (Project Management NELSAP News - Issue 005 NELSAP News- Issue 005 5 Mara RBM Project hands over the detailed design reports of Ngono and Mara to the Tanzania Government

On the 9th March, 2018, Mara River Basin Management Proj- ect under NELSAP Project Implementation Unit presented the draft detailed designs reports and tender documents of Mara Valley and Ngono water resources development proj- ects to the United Republic of Tanzania, in Dodoma.

The Mara RBM Project aims at promoting sustainable uti- lization of water resources of the Mara River Basin which connects Tanzania and Kenya.

The Mara Valley and Ngono water resources development projects are expected to enhance sub catchment develop- ment, provide water for Irrigation, hydropower and increase water supply to the beneficiaries once they are implemented.

The handover ceremony of the detailed designs and tender documents of Mara and Ngono projects was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Water and Irri- gation of Tanzania Eng. Emmanuel Kalebero accompanied by representative of Permanent Secretaries from key minis- tries (Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Regional Administration and Government Authorities and National Planning Commission). The handover ceremony was also attended by the Nile Equa- torial Lakes Technical Advisory Committee (NELTAC) chair Dr. George Lugomela, NELSAP representatives and the con- sultants who working on the mentioned projects.

The disclosure session of the two projects that were con- ducted by NELSAP aims at cementing the buy-in and own- ership of the projects by the government of Tanzania for im- mediate implementation of the prepared projects. NELSAP News - Issue 005 6 NELSAP develops a Catchment Manage- ment Planning Manual for practitioners

NELSAP staff were in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania from 9th-13th, March After discussing the importance and the need of having a Catchment 2018 in a working workshop preparing a Catchment Management Management Planning guidelines, NELSAP decided to develop a Planning (CMP) Manual for practitioners. The CMP Manual for prac- manual by putting together a practical set of approaches based on the titioners has been developed out of a series of discussions from NEL- collective wisdom of catchment, River Basins and water resources. SAP staff who are fully involved in catchment management planning This Manual is open to use by anyone who is considering developing activities in the Nile Equatorial Lakes region over the past years. a Catchment Management Plan.

As its mandate, NELSAP has done significant work in the area of Once the manual is complete and has been presented to the gover- water resources development and management especially in Catch- nance, NELSAP intends to disseminate the manual which will be ment Planning and Management of which a lot of challenges like lack used by the Catchment Management practitioners that are dealing of practitioner guidelines and the trans-boundary shared catchments with catchment management planning process, Government officers, with different guidelines from member states were identified. This consultants, private sectors among others. The Manual provides key CMP Manual is aimed at addressing these challenges among others expected output from a planning process, main content of a CM plan once it is completed. report and expected elements.

NELSAP News - Issue 005 NELSAP News- Issue 005 7 The Livelihood Restoration Program: Madina’s Story

Louise-Andree NDAYIZEYE Madina Karere is a wom- training in financial practices and Communications Specialist an of substance, a single budgeting before she was paid the (RRFHP) mother of 6 children and cash compensation. This addition- an entrepreneur who had al support, provided under the been struggling for long Livelihood Restoration Program, to make ends meet for her helped ensure that Madina was family; she lives in Kiyanzi able to make the best possible use Sector, Kirehe District, Rwanda. of her compensation for livelihood Madina is among the 354 commu- improvement. Participants in the nity members whose livelihoods training program were also sen- were affected and have been sitized on the benefits of working thereafter improved by the Re- together. Madina shares her expe- gional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric rience with the Livelihood Resto- Project (RRFHP) which aims to ration Program. increase supply of electricity to the three national grids of Burundi, Madina told us that the training Rwanda and Tanzania by gener- on finance management was an ating 80 megawatts of renewable, opportunity for her to use new clean, relatively low cost power to skills and learn how to manage be shared equally. her money better. She used her compensation fund to revamp her Until 2014, Madina was running a business, to trade and supply fresh bar-restaurant providing catering crops, especially cassava bread to services near the Rusumo Border neighboring markets bordering on the Rwandan side. Madina Rwanda, in Ngara, Tanzania and was economically affected by the in Mirama, Uganda. project when her business was displaced from the Rusumo area "I have been a member of other prior to the beginning of construc- women’s development groups, but tion. The Project then compensat- I have never experienced quality ed Madina along with other people support like this. We learnt how to who were going to be impacted by work together and how to man- the project. But Madina received age the payments we received. I more than financial compensation. cannot thank the Rusumo Project Livelihood Program and our local Like the others who were impacted leadership enough," she says. by the project, Madina received

NELSAP News - Issue 005 8 The Livelihood Restoration Program: Madina’s Story

In order to put these new skills In September 2017, the poultry to work for the benefit of the house was built and 1000 chicks larger community, a Communi- arrived from with the ty of Project Affected People was support of the Community of established to promote the well- Project Affected People Procure- being of the members through ment committee. livestock, agriculture and busi- ness projects, to promote the The Poultry group is using the culture of saving and working business skills they learned in with financial institutions and the training sessions and is con- promote the culture of working sidering expanding to a second as a group cooperative. poultry business. They are plan- ning to offer services to build Kirehe District played a key capacity in poultry farming for role in the establishment of the their village neighbors. Community of Project Affect- ed People which now has an The training Madina and her office, a chairperson, secretary, colleagues received under the accountant and procurement Livelihood Restoration Program specialists. The accountant on has taught them to collaborate the team is Madina Karere. in business development and On top of volunteering to work manage their poultry business as CPAP accountant, Madina wisely. chose to do poultry farming with 8 other beneficiaries. “My son now has an interest in Madina volunteered to donate poultry farming,” said Madina. a piece of her land for 5 years to “He helps me after school and the poultry group and was elect- is eager to learn more about the ed by the group members to business.” serve as their Chair, putting her financial and business training Through the livelihoods pro- to work. gram, Madina and others in her community are learning new "As an entrepreneur, I decided skills, developing their profes- to invest in knowledge of poul- sional interests, and working try farming and I am excited by together across the local com- the development of our activity munity. so far as ", she says. NELSAP News - Issue 005 NELSAP News- Issue 005 9 The Regional Bilateral draft Agreement of LEAFII project reviewed

The Lakes Edwards and Albert Integrated people in the field of fishing and water resourc- the risk of long term and irreversible effects of Fisheries and Water Resources Management es management from two countries was held illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing in (LEAFII) project that is implemented by NEL- at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel Entebbe, both Lake Edward and Lake Albert. SAP held a regional workshop to review the Uganda from 14th-16th, March 2018. draft bilateral fisheries agreement and the har- The bilateral fisheries agreement upon satis- monization of Aquaculture policies and legisla- The workshop discussed the commitment of factory review and consequent discussions will tion in the Lakes Edward and Albert Basin that both countries towards fisheries management be used by LEAFII project to ensure the two is shared between the Democratic Republic of with the aim of avoiding adverse impacts on the countries to cooperate effectively and eliminate Congo and Uganda. aquatic environment and preserving biodiver- the threats to the fisheries resources and the sity. The team also discussed maintaining the ecosystems on the shared Lakes. The workshop that was attended by technical integrity of aquatic ecosystems and minimizing NELSAP News - Issue 005 10 NELSAP celebrates Regional Nile Day

NELSAP joined the Nile Basin fraternity along with the three centers of Nile Basin Ini- tiative; the Nile Secretariat (NILESEC) and the Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP) to celebrate the Regional Nile Day 2018.

Nile day which is celebrated on February 22nd each year was this year celebrated at the UN Conference Center hall in Addis Ababa, Ethi- opia under the theme of "The Nile: Shared River, Collective Action.” NELSAP meets African Development Bank Representative Livelihood Resto-

NELSAP senior management with the Nile ration Program under Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers (NEL- COM) chair representative Prof. Kitila Mkum- limelight at Rusumo bo, the Nile Equatorial Lakes Technical Advi- sory Committee (NELTAC) chair Mr. George Produce Exhibition Lugomela on February 13th, 2018 held a meet- ing with Mr. Amadou Hott the Vice President of Livelihood Restoration Program (LRP) of The African Development Bank in charge of Power, Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project beneficiaries on Rwandan side participated in Energy, climate change and Green Growth in st Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire. the exhibition in Kirehe Open Day on March 1 , 2018 organized by Kirehe District at the Taxi They in particular discussed financing of high Park (Nyakarambi). impact Regional Power Projects that are spear- headed by NELSAP towards Regional Devel- LRP Rwanda beneficiaries exhibited some of opment and Integration especially in the Nile their produces (tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs) Equatorial Lakes countries. through the support of LRP. NELSAP News - Issue 005 NELSAP News- Issue 005 11 Follow us

Twitter: @Nelsapcu Facebook: @NelsapCu/NBI Flickr: nelsap cu Website: nelsap.nilebasin.org Email: [email protected]

NELSAP News - Issue 005 12