[3] Typically the river accounts for 18% of water loss from the lake, with the rest being due to evaporation.

[8] The Lukuga has formed relatively recently, providing a route through which aquatic species of the Congo Basin could colonize Lake Tanganyika.

[13] The lower Lukuga and the Lualaba were natural lines of communication, and the river valleys were densely populated.

The bamdudye and bakasandji secret societies were introduced into the area, providing genesis myths that helped legitimize the fire kings' position.

[16] However, by the time Europeans started to penetrate the region, Msiri's son Simbi, advancing from the south and forming alliances with the Hemba rulers against incursions from Tippu Tip, had detached Kyombo Mkubwa from the Luba heartland.

[18] Verney Lovett Cameron reached the river at the point where it left the lake in May 1874 on his journey across Africa from east to west.

He confirmed that it was the only outlet of Lake Tanganyika, but was unable to get a guide to accompany him down the river to verify that it flowed into the Lualaba.

When he arrived, the lake level was low and he described the Lukuga as no more than a large creek extending westward for a great distance.