NELSON K
Residents of Rubanda and Kabale districts have expressed gratitude and joy after Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in Africa regained its natural water color and purity. Many described this as a moment of relief, recalling the history of a similar color change and impurity back in 2015.
This was revealed during an exclusive interview conducted by Boona Radio with residents who have spent their entire lives living near the lake.
Truth revealed that in August 2015, Lake Bunyonyi’s water turned from its usual crystal-clear state to a strange brownish color before returning to normal after some time. The same phenomenon repeated itself towards the end of August 2025, marking exactly a decade since the last major color change.
However, reports from some residents along the lake clarify that, “During every August annually, Lake Bunyonyi’s water also temporarily changes its color, but not too much.”
Speaking to Boona Radio, Mr. Twinomujuni Martazal, a resident of Kagunga Parish, Greater Bufundi Subcounty in Rubanda District, who was born and raised near the lake, shared his experience.
He recalled that in August 2015, residents were shocked to see the lake’s water turn brownish, but the news did not spread widely because at the time, social media was still rare and inactive compared to today.
Twinomujuni further confirmed that every August, Lake Bunyonyi continuously changes its color due to unknown natural reasons. However, he noted that it rarely happens in an abnormal way like the two major episodes recorded in 2015 and 2025.
He expressed the shock and fear that broke out among residents who rely on the lake for fishing and domestic water after witnessing the strange brownish color:
Interestingly, some residents, especially those living in the highlands around Bunyonyi who had no alternative water sources, continued drinking and using the discolored water throughout the period. Surprisingly, they reported no illnesses or infections.
