Abstract
Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) is one of the most invasive aquatic plants worldwide and continues to threaten the ecological integrity and livelihoods of communities dependent on freshwater ecosystems. In Uganda, persistent infestations in the Lake Victoria Basin have disrupted fishing, water transport, trade, and access to essential services. This study assessed the socio-ecological impacts of water hyacinth on livelihoods in Katosi Ward, Mukono District, Uganda, using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through household surveys involving 300 respondents selected using multistage sampling, while qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Field ecological observations were conducted to provide contextual evidence on infestation patterns. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Most respondents (71.3%) reported that water hyacinth had persisted in the area for more than ten years, and 59.3% perceived the infestation as severe. Fishing and water transport were the most affected livelihood activities, with 68.7% and 65.0% of respondents, respectively, reporting extreme impacts. Overall, 91.6% of respondents reported reduced household income, while 72.0% indicated that school-going children depended on water transport to access school, with 92.6% reporting severe disruption to school attendance during periods of peak infestation. Qualitative findings complemented the survey results by highlighting recurrent obstruction of fishing grounds and transport routes, increased household expenditure of time and financial resources on weed removal, and widespread concern regarding the effectiveness of existing management measures. The findings indicate that persistent water hyacinth infestation has substantial socio-economic implications for communities dependent on Lake Victoria. Respondents identified mechanised weed removal, strengthened environmental monitoring, enhanced institutional support, and greater community participation as priority management interventions. Integrated management approaches that combine these measures with sustainable utilisation of harvested biomass may improve both water hyacinth control and community livelihoods in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their sincere gratitude to the residents of Katosi Ward for their cooperation and willingness to share their lived experiences during the data collection process. We extend our thanks to the dedicated research assistants for their logistical support and commitment during the field surveys. We also acknowledge the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mukono District, and the local leadership of Katosi Town Council for granting administrative clearance and facilitating community entry.
Funding
Financial support for this research was provided by a grant awarded to A.N. from the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund. The funding agency played no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, publication decisions, or manuscript preparation.
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Departmental Research Committee review and approval were granted for this study protocol and its research instruments by the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology at Makerere University. Administrative clearance to conduct the field research in Katosi Ward was issued by the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer within the Mukono District Local Government under reference ADM/652/01. Relevant guidelines and regulations, including the Declaration of Helsinki, were strictly followed during all research procedures. Informed oral and written consent was obtained from all three hundred participants before they participated in the study. Survey respondents were fully briefed on the study objectives, the voluntary nature of their involvement, and their right to withdraw at any stage without penalty. Anonymization protocols using unique alphanumeric codes were applied to all datasets to maintain participant confidentiality.
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Nabatanzi, A., Nambejja, C. & Byarugaba, I. Socio-ecological impacts of water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) on livelihoods in Katosi Ward, Uganda.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-66885-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-66885-4
Keywords
- Water hyacinth
- Socio-ecological impacts
- Artisanal fisheries
- Household livelihoods
- Lake Victoria Basin
- Uganda
Source: Ecology - nature.com
