Lake Victoria was once home to unique and diverse fish fauna that formed a special delicacy to the fishing communities (Graharm, 1984). Until the 1970s the Lake supported a multi-species fishery. However, the introduction of aquatic vegetation presents the largest threat to socio-economic development.

The study findings revealed that the distribution and coverage of the water hyacinth in Buvuma District included stationary/residential 54%, patch mobile 26%, shallow residential 15%, open water 5% that had greatly affected fish productivity; causing a reduction in fish catches 30%, destruction of fishing grounds 20%, loss of breeding grounds 15%, loss of nursery grounds 30% and other effects 5%. The weed also affected the fishing communities through the loss of recreation sites 6.65%, causing diseases 10.69%, threatening food security 10.98%, threatening residential areas in Lubya, Kirongo, Namiti and Kirewe 3.76%, causing a rise in transport costs 35.84%, affecting domestic water quality and quantity 10%, limiting access to baptism and other cultural events 2.02%, causing loss of fishing gears 13.87%, and resulting in a reduction in fish catches 16.19%.