Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to evaluate the factors affecting the development of effective water resource management policies.  Researchers employed a purposive sampling method to come up with the most suitable respondents. The sample size of 152 respondents was computed from a population size of 245 water experts within Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) in Uganda.  The questionnaire was self-administered to 152 respondents to dig out their views based on their experiences in water resource management. The authors aimed to find out the relationship between efficiency of water allocation, natural hazards and risks, stakeholders’ participation, governance and decentralization, socio economic activities and effective water resource management policies. The findings of this study revealed that governance and decentralization, natural hazards and risks, and socio-economic activities had a significant positive effect on effective water resource management policies. Governance and decentralization had the highest path coefficient (β= 0.453 and p-values = 0.000).  The R² value was scored at 0.680, which collectively explained 68% of the overall variance in the development of the policies. The study recommends putting special attention on governance and decentralization for effective water resource management policies. These findings can support practitioners and decision makers engaged in the management of water resources within LVB and other water bodies worldwide.

 

Key words:  East African Community, National Policies, integrated water resource management (IWRM), Partial Least Square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).