BULIISA District: National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has directed the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit to return all boats, engines, motorcycles and other fishing gear seized from fishermen on Lake Albert.
The President issued the directive following complaints from fishermen who sought his intervention during his campaign visit to Buliisa District.
General Museveni instructed the Commander of the UPDF Field Artillery Division, Major General Daniel Kakono, to ensure the exercise begins tomorrow.
Speaking at the NRM campaign rally at Buliisa Town Council Grounds, Museveni also called on leaders of the indigenous fishing communities to establish community-led fish conservation measures that will eventually guide the withdrawal of the Fisheries Protection Unit from active lake management. He said overcrowding on the lakes and the use of illegal fishing methods had nearly depleted fish stocks before government intervened.
Museveni urged leaders of the Bagungu and Alur communities to engage on sustainable fishing practices and take ownership of conservation efforts, noting that the UPDF will, moving forward, focus mainly on guarding against cross-border violators from the DRC and other areas.
He warned that continued catching of immature fish would lead to an ecological disaster on Lake Albert, despite current signs of recovery brought about by government enforcement measures.
The NRM candidate further pledged a ferry for Butyaba landing site to improve water transport on Lake Albert, as well as a special fund for fishing communities in Buliisa. He also promised to ask the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to take action against Balaaro cattle keepers accused of raiding villages in the district.
On oil development, Museveni proposed channelling proceeds from Uganda’s oil into a sovereign wealth fund to support long-term investments such as roads, electricity, railways and other durable wealth-creation infrastructure. He emphasized that oil revenue would not be spent on consumables but on development enablers, in line with strategies used by several oil-rich countries.
Museveni said visible infrastructure and socio-economic progress in Buliisa reflects the NRM government’s achievements and called on residents to preserve the peace and security brought by the NRM, and to vote for its continued leadership. He highlighted the 4-acre model and commercial enterprise selection as key pillars for wealth and job creation in the district.
He also encouraged the people of Buliisa to tap into employment opportunities in the oil support sector, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and services.
Hon. Allan Atugonza, Member of Parliament for Buliisa Constituency and NRM district chairperson, welcomed the directive to return fishing equipment.
He noted that many fishermen had acquired the gear using Parish Development Model funds, and its confiscation had left families struggling to earn a living.
