Kikuube — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday, December 13, 2025, used his campaign rally in Kikuube District to tackle the sensitive question of fisheries management on Lake Albert, while reinforcing his broader 2026 campaign themes of peace, wealth creation and consolidation of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) development gains.
Addressing a large crowd at Kiziranfumbi Primary School Playground, the President acknowledged concerns raised by fishing communities but defended the conservation measures his government put in place to protect Uganda’s declining fish stocks.
“The issue with fisheries is, first of all, stopping bad fishing—catching young fish—and secondly, stopping fishing in breeding areas,” President Museveni said. “You must stop catching young fish and avoid breeding grounds.”
Earlier, the Speaker of Parliament and Second National Vice Chairperson of the NRM, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, informed the President that local leaders and fishermen had complained about alleged harassment by security personnel enforcing fishing regulations on Lake Albert. “The people of Kikuube are complaining about harassment of fishermen by the army on Lake Albert, and this needs your intervention,” Speaker Among said, prompting applause from sections of the audience.
In response, President Museveni reiterated that regulation of fishing activities was necessary to safeguard the lake’s productivity, but agreed that enforcement should be guided by fairness, dialogue and community involvement. “Even if people are fishing properly, there must be a limit to how many are allowed on the lake,” he said. “Even Namboole Stadium has a limit. Not everyone who pays can enter; otherwise, people would die.”
Kikuube District, which lies along Lake Albert, depends heavily on fishing for livelihoods, food security and income, particularly in lakeshore sub-counties. Fishing also supports cross-border trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo, even as agriculture remains the district’s dominant economic activity.
The President drew on cultural analogies and indigenous knowledge to justify conservation efforts, insisting that responsible fishing practices are rooted in African traditions rather than foreign ideas.
“That is why we are consulting elders,” he said. “There are clans in places like Pakwach and Buliisa—the Abakwanga—who understand fishing traditionally. If they catch a young fish, they return it to the water because they know that without it, the lake will be depleted.”
He compared illegal fishing to taboos observed among pastoral communities. “Even I, as a traditional cattle keeper, don’t eat calves,” he said. “It is taboo. In the same way, it is not logical to catch and eat immature fish.”
In 2017, the government deployed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit to combat illegal fishing, which had severely depleted fish stocks nationwide. The unit is currently under the supervision of Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa.
To reduce pressure on Lake Albert and expand income opportunities, President Museveni once again encouraged communities to adopt commercial fish farming, especially in swampy and water-rich areas.
He cited his Baralege model farm in the Lira–Lango sub-region, where he practices integrated farming on four acres, combining fish ponds with dairy cattle, coffee, fruits and bananas. “From one fish pond measuring 20 by 100 metres, I earn about Shs100 million a year,” he said. “After costs, I remain with about Shs70 million. On one acre, you can have two such ponds. That is real money.”
According to the President, consultations with elders and local leaders will help determine sustainable fishing numbers and identify surplus labour that can be redirected into aquaculture. “That’s why we must agree on who should fish, how many, and why,” he said. “Those who arein excess can be supported to start fish farming.”
Beyond fisheries, the rally served as a platform for President Museveni to popularise the NRM’s 2026–2031 manifesto, which he said builds on seven historical achievements of the party, with peace at the centre. “You are children and grandchildren of freedom fighters,” he told the crowd. “These areas—Buhimba, Masindi, Birembo—were war zones. Today, the whole of Uganda is peaceful.”
On development, he cited progress in electricity, water and health services in Kikuube District. He noted that 19 sub-counties now have electricity at their headquarters, but acknowledged gaps in water access, with only 57 per cent of villages having safe water sources. “Much has been done, but more will be done,” he pledged.
On health, the President announced that Kikuube Health Centre IV would be upgraded to a district hospital, drawing applause from residents and local leaders.
Reiterating wealth creation as the third pillar of NRM’s contribution—alongside peace and development—President Museveni emphasised household income growth. “We have always told you that wealth starts at the family level,” he said.
He highlighted successful model farmers, including the Kamanyire Demonstration Farm in Kakumiro District owned by State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama, and Korea Dick Ogira of Abim District in Karamoja, to show that enterprise choice, rather than infrastructure alone, drives prosperity. “Development may not be there, but wealth can still be created,” he said. “That is why we tell you to choose the right enterprises.”
President Museveni concluded by urging Ugandans to focus on productive sectors such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT, noting that sustainable jobs come from the private sector rather than government employment.
The President is expected to conclude his Bunyoro sub-region campaign rallies on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Kakumiro District, before launching campaign engagements in Buganda region, starting with a major rally in Mubende District.