Eco-Lakes
Project
Mukono Town
Eco-Lakes International — Mubende Lake (Our 1st Lake)
What the Mubende Lake is
The Mubende Lake is an engineered, environmentally-sensitive artificial lake designed and constructed to supply water for agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and recreation while restoring shoreline habitat and supporting local livelihoods. It acts as a demonstration model for scalable lake projects across Uganda and East Africa.
Project highlights — Why it matters
Flagship demonstration: Eco-Lakes International’s first full-scale lake — proof of concept for future scaled rollouts.
Water security: Provides reliable water for smallholder irrigation, livestock and downstream households during dry seasons.
Economic uplift: Cage fish farming, lakeside hospitality and market gardens create jobs and diversify incomes.
Climate resilience: Captures and stores water to buffer rainfall variability and reduce drought vulnerability.
Ecosystem restoration: Reforestation of lake fronts and wetland rehabilitation increase biodiversity and soil stability.
Community ownership: Managed in partnership with local cooperatives, ensuring benefits return to Mubende residents.
Core features & visitor experiences
Agriculture & Livelihoods
Smallholder irrigation intakes and demonstration plots for high-value crops.
Community-managed cage aquaculture with training and input support.
Livestock watering points designed to protect water quality.
Recreation & Eco-Tourism
Family beaches and shaded picnic areas on the Mubende–Fort Portal highway stretch.
Boat rides, birdwatching hides and guided nature walks.
Event lawns and small guest cottages for weddings, retreats and local festivals.
Conservation & Learning
Native tree planting along shorelines and buffer zones to stop erosion.
Wetland restoration to improve water filtration and habitat.
Environmental education programs for schools, youth and farmer groups.
Services offered at Mubende Lake
Lake design, construction and operations management.
Aquaculture setup, training and cooperative formation.
Irrigation planning and small-scale system installation.
Event & hospitality management for lakeside venues.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), monitoring and reforestation services.
Community engagement, vocational training and livelihood support.
Impact & beneficiaries
Primary beneficiaries: Smallholder farmers, pastoralists, women’s groups and youth in Mubende and neighboring parishes.
Secondary beneficiaries: Local tourism operators, Mukono–Fort Portal corridor travelers, district authorities and development partners.
Jobs created: Lake caretakers, aquaculture technicians, hospitality staff, guides and reforestation teams.
Sustainability: Community cooperatives and Eco-Lakes technical oversight ensure long-term operations and benefit sharing.
How we delivered the Mubende Lake
Site assessment & hydrology: Detailed hydrological surveys to design a lake sized for local water balance and needs.
Community consultation: Inclusive stakeholder engagement to co-design access, benefit sharing and management structures.
Construction & safeguards: Phased construction with erosion control, sediment management and wetland protection.
Capacity building: Training for community co-ops on aquaculture, irrigation, lake management and enterprise development.
Monitoring & reforestation: Ongoing water quality and biodiversity monitoring plus active shoreline tree planting.
Partnerships & governance
The Mubende Lake is operated through an agreement between Eco-Lakes International, local community cooperatives and Mubende district authorities. Governance emphasizes transparency, rotation of local management roles, and reinvestment of lake revenues into community services and maintenance.
Visit, partner or invest
Ideal for: investors in sustainable tourism, NGOs focused on food security, agribusinesses, and local entrepreneurs interested in aquaculture or hospitality.
Opportunities: concession partnerships, community co-op investments, technical partnerships for training and research collaborations.
Quick project facts
Project name: Mubende Lake — Eco-Lakes International (1st Lake)
Location: Mubende (along Mubende–Fort Portal highway)
Developer: Eco-Lakes International (registered 2025)
Primary activities: Water storage, irrigation support, cage fish farming, recreation, reforestation, community training
Key beneficiaries: Mubende smallholders, pastoralists, youth & women’s groups
Contact & enquiries
ECO-LAKES INTERNATIONAL
Official Address: Mubende, Uganda
Phone: +256-780-283-599 / +256-740-998-196
Artificial Lake Establishment Cost Estimates
| Component | Item Description | Unit | Qty | Unit Cost (UGX) | Total Cost (UGX) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Feasibility & Design | Feasibility Study & Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) | Lump Sum | 1 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | Includes site surveys, EIA, consultations |
| 1. Feasibility & Design | Topographic & Hydrogeological Survey | Acre | 2 | 1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | Drone/GPS + soil & water table tests |
| Feasibility & Design | Engineering Design & Drawings | Lump Sum | 1 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | Detailed designs with CAD output |
| 2. Site Preparation & Earthworks | Site clearing and bush removal | Acre | 2 | 1,000,000 | 2,000,000 | Manual/mechanical clearing |
| Site Preparation & Earthworks | Excavation and basin shaping | m³ | 2,000 | 12,000 | 24,000,000 | Depth and contour-based costing |
| Site Preparation & Earthworks | Embankment construction | m³ | 800 | 15,000 | 12,000,000 | Using excavated or imported soil |
| Site Preparation & Earthworks | Compaction of lake bed and embankments | m² | 5,000 | 3,000 | 15,000,000 | Compacted with rollers |
| 3. Lining & Sealing | Clay lining (imported/local) | m³ | 1,000 | 20,000 | 20,000,000 | If soil is not clay-rich |
| 4. Water Supply & Inlets | Intake structures (gravity-fed) | Lump Sum | 1 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | Canals or pipes |
| Water Supply & Inlets | Water pumping system (solar powered) | Set | 1 | 15,000,000 | 15,000,000 | Optional backup system |
| 5. Drainage & Control Structures | Spillway (stone masonry) | m | 20 | 100,000 | 2,000,000 | Overflow control |
| Drainage & Control Structures | Outlet pipes and culverts | m | 30 | 80,000 | 2,400,000 | Controlled water release |
| Drainage & Control Structures | Silt traps & sediment basins | No. | 2 | 1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | Protect lake lifespan |
| Sub Total | 112,400,000 | |||||