PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN LAKE VICTORIA SHORE WATER AT KASENYI LANDING SITE IN ENTEBBE MUNICIPALITY, UGANDA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL PILOT SURVEY ON OCCURRENCE PROFILES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS.

Background: Goal six (6) of the 2030 agenda and sustainable development goals highlights the need to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." Over the years; Lake Victoria, which supports nearly one-third of the total East African population has been facing pollution-related effects and thus risking water-borne infections from pathogenic bacteria for example; Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, Enterococcus species, etc.; with some of the associated factors including wastewater treatment, agricultural activities, soil surface runoffs, bathing, rubbish dumping among others. Methods: A two-month cross-sectional pilot survey was done in which thirty-one (n=31) Lake Victoria surface water samples were collected at the Kasenyi landing site and bacteriologically examined through culturing water samples. Additionally; a one-time field observation accompanied by eleven (n=11) short interviews with key respondents was undertaken to identify the factors potentially associated with the bacterial contamination of the Lake Victoria shore surface water. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results: Citrobacter freundii accounted for the highest occurrence at 58% (46/79) while Klebsiella pneumoniae was the least occurring at 3% (2/79). “Soil surface run-off” emerged as the most occurring factor related to possible bacterial contamination of the shore surface waters (73%; 8/11). One-time field observation revealed the presence of “bathing practices, rubbish dumping, and soil surface runoff.” Conclusion:  Citrobacter freundii was the most occurring bacterial pathogen; soil surface run-off emerged as the most occurring factor; there is a low chance of encountering Klebsiella pneumoniae and a high chance of encountering Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus species, and Enterococcus species. Recommendation: Establishment of control mechanisms (i.e. physical barriers) for soil run-off into the lake shore.