Diatom and Potentially Toxigenic Cyanobacteria Dominate the Phytoplankton Community of Lake Kyoga Complex, Uganda

We investigated the composition and dominance of phytoplankton species in the Lake Kyoga Complex in Uganda, focusing on diatoms and potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria. Water quality sampling and analyses were done using standard quantitative methods while phytoplankton abundance and quantification was performed according to sedimentation method. The diatoms, primarily Aulacoseira granulata, Cyclotella meneghiniana and Nitzschia acicularis were recovered. The toxin producing cyanobacteria too that included Dolichospermum circinalis, Dolichospermum planctonica, Cylindrospermopsis africana and Microcystis aeruginosa were present in this ecosystem. The occurrence of cyanobacteria raises concerns about potential harmful algal blooms (HABs) that could impact water quality and ecosystem health. This study provides an ecological baseline for monitoring shifts in community composition with the disappearance of keystone species that are not palatable to fish and potential threats to water safety within the Lake Kyoga catchment more especially River Awoja, the main water supply station for Soroti City.