The official handover ceremony between the Lake Tanganyika Authority outgoing Executive Director, Mr. TUSANGA MUKANGA Sylvain, and the incoming Executive Director, Dr. Emma Teresa Liwenga took place at the Lake LTA Secretariat on Monday, 2 March 2026.
This event brought together distinguished guests, including Mr Léonard BUTOYI the Representative of Her Excellency the Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, her Excellency Callinie MBARUSHIMANA ; His Excellency the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Gelasius Gaspar Byakanwa ; Mr Dieudonné YANDO Mola Bondeli ,Representative of the His Excellency the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Republic of Congo ; Mr Reichard Mfumu Lungu, the Regional Chairperson of the LTA Management Committee; Members of the LTA Management Committee for Burundi; as well as several technical and financial partners, including the European Union (EU), Enabel, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Regional Project Coordinators and project staff for the Tanganyika Kivu Water Management Project and the Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Land Management, and Enhanced Water Security in Lake Tanganyika Basin Project .
In his address, the Regional Chairperson of the LTA expressed his profound appreciation to the outgoing Executive Director, commending his exceptional leadership, steadfast commitment, and exemplary professionalism. He highlighted that under his tenure, the LTA experienced significant strengthening of regional cooperation, enhanced institutional capacity, and notable progress in the implementation of programs dedicated to the sustainable management of Lake Tanganyika.
The Regional Chairperson then warmly welcomed the incoming Executive Director, Dr. Emma Teresa Liwenga. He extended his best wishes for success in her new role and assured her of the full support of the Member States and the LTA Management Committee.
He emphasized that the challenges related to the preservation of the Lake Tanganyika Basin remain considerable and require sustained commitment, innovation, and strengthened unity of action among Member States and partners.
The technical and financial partners praised the achievements of the outgoing Executive Director and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the LTA in implementing its Strategic Action Programme (SAP).
They welcomed the incoming Executive Director and expressed their willingness to work closely with her to further advance efforts aimed at protecting the Lake Tanganyika ecosystem and promoting the sustainable development of the riparian communities.
This ceremony marks an important milestone in ensuring institutional continuity within the Lake Tanganyika Authority and reaffirms the collective determination of Member States and their partners to work together for the preservation of this natural heritage of global importance.
