Dissertation (MA Development Studies)This study aimed at assessing options to promote effectiveness of formal institutions in water resources management in LVB: - Using Ukerewe district as a case study. It focused on identifying types of formal institutions related to water resources management in LVB, examined strategies used for water resources management and identified the possible strategies to improve water resources management. The study used interview, Focus Group Discussion, observation and Documentary reviews as data collecting methods. A total of 110 households were randomly and purposively sampled for this study from four villages in Ukerewe district. Collected data was descriptive analyzed in terms of frequency, percentage and cross tabulation using of SPSS computer package. The study revealed that, there is water resources degradation, where by 84% of households indicated that LVB water resources is at a great risk of disappearing as it has been degraded due to fishing and agricultural activities. The findings revealed four governmental and five Non-Governmental institutions which are involved in water resources management in LVB. Strategies used in water resources management are training in the form of workshop (30%), policy, projects, research, laws, regulations, by laws and advice. Options to improve water resources management include subsidies on fishing tools, micro credit schemes, prevention of illegal fishing, fighting corruption, capacity building, technology and provision of awareness education. The study concludes that local people are key and important stakeholders for effective and sound management of the water resources. The study recommends that Government and NGOs should continue to provide education, micro credit schemes, fighting corruption and improve coordination of activities in water resources management in LVB. There is a need for research on indigenous knowledge in water resources management in LVB and other areas with similar problem.