The role of problem and process factors in creating effective transboundary water regimes: the case of the Lake Victoria basin, East Africa

Abstract

This paper provides insights into effective transboundary water governance by considering a case study of the Lake Victoria Basin East Africa. We argue that the construction of a well-designed ontology presents an explicit understanding of the target world shared among people. The paper adopts a ‘sustainability science’ perspective based on ontology engineering: a problem solving approach focusing on knowledge structuring of problem and process factors accompanied by supportive thinking. Its premise is that transboundary water regimes ought to fashion a public order that advances human dignity. The results indicate that the Lake Victoria basin regime is an ‘interplay’ of international and regional activities. Activities at the international level had greater influence on regional activities. This analysis identifies gaps in the basin regime creation process. The findings suggest that process factors rather than problem factors dominated the creation of the basin regime.