LAKE NABUGABO

Lake Nabugabo situated next to Lake
Victoria is special for its beaches,
coastlines and many rare species. It is one of the few lakes where you can
swim. It is free of Bilharzia or any other organisms that can cause
diseases
Lake Nabugabo area is chosen as a
Ramsar Site (protected area)
because of its importance for people and animals. was formed as a result
of sand dunes resulting from strong winds. It is separated from Lake
Victoria by a sand bar. The Lake covers an area of 22,000 hectares and lies
00°24’S 031°54’E. It is a shallow freshwater lake 8.2 km long by 5
km wide. This lake is surrounded by Loudetia swamp, especially to the
north and has Miscanthidium papyrus and Sphagnum swamps
NABUGABO HAS A UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY
Almost 300 plant species have been
recorded.
Lake Nabugabo catchment’s area has two flowering plants not found
elsewhere and 14 species of birds and fish in Uganda are known only in
this area. The most striking character of the rare Nabugabo plant is the relative
dominance of carnivorous plants and members of the family Xyridacea.
Many species of indigenous fish (Cichlidae) have been recorded. Three fish
species were introduced into Lake Nabugabo in the 1950s, namely
Oreochromis niloticus, O.leucosticus, and Tilapia Zilli. The fauna
ecosystem consists of a wide variety of key animal Communities,
hippopotamus and Sitatunga. While birds like kingfishers, the crested
crane, and some important migratory birds can be sighted.
Nabugabo is an important migratory stopover-destination for Migratory bird
species – at times during the year, the site (listed as an Important Bird
Area) holds more than 15% of the world’s population of the Blue Swallow
and support five globally threatened and nearly threatened birds.