Serere — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM presidential flag bearer, has announced a nationwide fish farming initiative aimed at restoring wetlands, boosting irrigation, and improving household incomes across Uganda.
The President unveiled the ambitious plan during a campaign rally held on Monday at Serere District Headquarters, saying the project would help balance environmental conservation with rural wealth creation.
“We’re going to develop a massive fish farming program along the edges of the wetlands because we want the wetlands to regain water so that we get water for irrigation. We shall earn more, but also use the water for irrigation,” Museveni said.
He demonstrated his vision with a video showcasing a model fish farm in Lango, which earns UGX 140 million in annual profits. “This is the answer for the fishing people. If you listen to my advice, we’re going to have so much money from fish farming,” the President added.
Museveni revealed plans for a special fund for fishermen, distinct from the UGX 100 million Parish Development Model (PDM) allocation given to each parish. “We are adding a fund for fishermen because their needs are bigger than the Shs 100 million under the PDM. They need good boats, fishing nets, and engines. We shall have a special fund for them,” he emphasised.
Peace and Stability as Foundations for Growth
The NRM candidate reminded residents of Serere of the party’s legacy in restoring peace and stability, especially in areas that once suffered from insurgencies.
“Lakwena disturbed this very area of Serere alongside other rebels, and your being here is testimony that we defeated them,” he said. “This is the first time Uganda has had peace for such a long time. In the past, there was trouble everywhere. NRM has a strong system; when we get problems, we deal with them.”
Museveni attributed the ongoing development in Teso — including roads, electricity, and schools — to the dividends of peace.
Infrastructure and Connectivity: Roads, Power, and Water
The President outlined extensive infrastructure projects completed or underway in the Teso sub-region, highlighting major roads such as Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi (111km), Kumi–Mukongoro–Pallisa (111km), Arapai–Katakwi (44km), and others.
He announced that procurement is ongoing for the Kumi–Ngora–Serere–Kagwara (102km) road, and confirmed that the Serere–Soroti road would soon follow. “We now have money for the Kumi–Ngora–Serere–Kagwara road. The contractor is being procured,” Museveni said. “Once we get the money, the rest is easy.”
He also revealed plans to rehabilitate the old railway through Soroti and construct a new line from Tororo to Kampala to ease the transport of goods and trade.
On electrification, Museveni commended authorities for ensuring that nearly all sub-counties in Serere now have power. “I am happy that all sub-counties have electricity except two. That is very good,” he said.
Water access has reached 85% of the district, with 235 out of 277 villages now connected to safe water sources. The President listed several ongoing water and irrigation projects, including the Ongor Small Scale Irrigation Project in Atira, Opapa Irrigation Scheme in Kateta, and the Owiiny Valley Dam in Bugondo, completed in 2024 at a cost of UGX 4.3 billion.
Education and Health Commitments
Turning to education, Museveni expressed satisfaction with the district’s expanding school network but condemned the continued charging of school fees in government institutions.
“In the coming government, I want all Ugandans to support my free education program,” he urged, recalling that free primary education was introduced under NRM in 1996.
Serere currently has 98 government primary schools with over 115,000 pupils, and 12 government secondary schools enrolling 9,406 students.
On health, the President said out of 15 sub-counties, 12 have functioning health facilities, with new Health Centre IIIs under construction in Kidetok Town Council, Kadungulu, and Ocaapa, and upgrades ongoing at Omagoro HCII in Kyere.
Wealth Creation and the Money Economy
Museveni once again emphasised the distinction between development and wealth, urging citizens to embrace the money economy. “There’s a difference between development and wealth. Development is government work, but wealth is personal,” he said.
He cited Joseph Ijala, a model farmer from Serere, as a shining example. Ijala’s four-acre enterprise produces 814 litres of milk daily and earns UGX 6 million per day from eggs, employing 38 workers, including university graduates.
“You don’t have a tarmac road here, but Ijala is already rich. In Kampala, there’s everything, but many people are poor. Work for wealth, and development will find you,” Museveni advised.
Cattle Compensation and Regional Prosperity
The President also addressed the long-standing issue of cattle compensation for the Teso, Lango, and Acholi sub-regions, which lost livestock during insurgencies and raids.
“We started restocking, but some people went to court, and we withdrew after spending Shs139 billion. We have now resolved to handle it once and for all,” he said. “Support NRM, and we shall complete it.”
Government records show that 11,056 claimants in Teso have already received UGX 55.9 billion, including UGX 6.18 billion disbursed to 923 beneficiaries in Serere.
Regional Leaders Reaffirm Support
The rally drew senior NRM leaders, including Rt. Hon. Anita Among, NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson, who reassured residents of the government’s continued investment in infrastructure and health.
“The Kumi–Ngora–Brooks Corner–Serere road has already been funded, and works will begin soon. The construction of Serere District Hospital is also captured in the National Development Plan IV,” she said.
Mr Echodu Calvin, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, welcomed the President, reminiscing about first meeting him in Serere 45 years ago and calling for a review of fishing policies to benefit local communities.
Serere District, home to 358,123 people, has seen a rise in registered voters from 130,290 in 2021 to 162,646 in 2026, with 374 polling stations. In the 2021 elections, Museveni won 51.2% of the vote in the district.