MNUAT to Lead Regional Dialogue on Protecting the Mara River
Mwalimu Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology (MNUAT) will host the 14th Mara Day Celebrations – Scientific Conference under the theme “Protect Mara River: Preserve Life” at its main campus in Butiama, Mara, on 14th September 2025. The one-day event will bring together policymakers, researchers, conservationists, private sector stakeholders, students, and development partners from across the East African Community and beyond.
Mara Day, launched in 2012 by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) of the East African Community, has become a flagship regional platform promoting awareness and joint action to safeguard the Mara River Basin. The river is not only central to the world-famous wildebeest migration between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara but also a lifeline for millions of people and diverse wildlife. Celebrated alternately in Kenya and Tanzania, the event reflects the importance of cross-border collaboration in protecting shared ecosystems.
This year’s celebrations are expected to draw more than 1,500 participants, marking one of the largest gatherings since the inception of Mara Day. Hosting the event in Butiama carries symbolic significance, as it is the birthplace of Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, whose legacy of visionary leadership and commitment to sustainable development continues to inspire conservation efforts.
The Scientific Conference, organized by LVBC in partnership with MNUAT, Maasai Mara University in Kenya, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), will feature three key focus areas: biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management; cross-border cooperation and inclusive governance; and innovative technologies to address emerging threats to the river basin. Researchers, students, and conservation practitioners are invited to contribute through papers, posters, and exhibitions.
Beyond scientific dialogue, the programme will include exhibitions, cultural performances, tree-planting campaigns, and inter-school competitions designed to foster community involvement in conservation. These activities aim to inspire both regional and local action to secure the future of the Mara River.
The 14th Mara Day Celebrations at MNUAT are expected to be a landmark event, advancing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and mobilizing collective action to ensure that the Mara River continues to sustain life and livelihoods for generations to come.
