**Lake Albert: A Floating Future?**
In a world where infrastructure underpins economic and social development, Lake Albert seems to be a tragic metaphor for the absence of vision and logistical support. This 160km stretch of water separating the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Uganda represents an untapped potential for trade and regional connectivity. Unfortunately, as Pierre-Marie Udar Ulama, Lake Commissioner of Lake Albert, has pointed out, this potential is slowly sinking, mired in maritime logistics concerns.
The challenges posed by the lack of adequate ports around the lake are alarming. According to shipping reports, the region has been experiencing regular capsizing of cargoes, reaching several tonnes, due to a lack of port infrastructure. The incidents are not simply anomalies, but rather symptomatic of a bureaucracy that has, for decades, seemed to ignore the urgency of safe and functional maritime infrastructure.
**A Comparison with Uganda: The Port of Today and Tomorrow**
A look at the Ugandan shore of Lake Albert, it is striking to see the stark difference in infrastructure. Uganda has invested significantly in modern ports that are suited to contemporary economic demands. For example, Hohwa Port has undergone an upgrade that allows for smooth logistics operations. These improvements have not only boosted local trade but also strengthened integrated supply chains with neighboring countries.
To put this in perspective, DRC and Uganda have related economies, both of which require efficient shipping routes to facilitate trade. While in Uganda, the volume of cargo handled at ports has increased by 25% in three years thanks to infrastructure investments, DRC seems to be lagging behind, reflecting a loss of opportunities.
**The Cost of Administrative Silence**
The situation described by Ulama, namely the observation that historic docks, built during the colonial era, are left abandoned, illustrates a general disinterest that could have negative economic repercussions for decades to come. The Kisenyi dock, submerged since 2019, and the Mahagi dock, submerged since 1966, are both symbols of poor management. Imagine the overall cost of these losses: thousands of dollars in lost goods, lost jobs for dockers and transporters whose livelihoods depend on these infrastructures.
A recent study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) established that each dollar invested in maritime infrastructure could generate a three-fold economic return in developing economies. If the DRC fails to move forward with these investment projects, it could be left reeling from the consequences of its deteriorating infrastructure. Ultimately, these numbers tell not only the state of the docks, but also the state of a nation, its ambitions, and its capacity to embrace change.
**A Call for Collective Mobilization: The Role of International Partners**
The situation is sufficiently worrying to warrant a call for action, not only from local authorities, but also from international partners. A sustainable development strategy around Lake Albert could include not only the rehabilitation of the docks, but also the establishment of maritime safety systems to reduce capsizing and accidents.
It is not uncommon for developing countries to call on bilateral or multilateral aid to establish modern infrastructure. France, for example, through its development agency, has invested in several projects across sub-Saharan Africa to improve transport routes. This model could serve as an example to encourage the Congolese government to seek similar partnerships and seize this rehabilitation opportunity.
**Conclusion: Towards a Future Enlightened by Water**
Lake Albert, which could have been an economic crossroads in East Africa, remains trapped beneath the surface of troubled waters. This mirror of despair, where submission to the colonial past mixes with contemporary inaction, requires an urgent awakening. Pierre-Marie Udar Ulama’s statement is not just an alarm; it is an invitation to transformation. By rectifying the mistakes of the past and forging a sustainable future, the DRC could transform Lake Albert from a graveyard of goods to an economic vibrion, generating opportunity and prosperity for all.