President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to roll out a dedicated Fisheries Fund aimed at supporting Ugandan fishermen with affordable credit to purchase legal fishing gear, a move expected to strengthen the sustainability of the fishing industry and eliminate illegal fishing practices.
The President made the commitment on Tuesday while meeting fishing leaders from across the country at the State Lodge in Jinja City. Responding to their appeals for targeted financial support, Museveni acknowledged the need for a fund tailored to the capital-intensive demands of the fishing industry, noting that existing government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga are insufficient for the sector’s unique needs.
Jackson Mulindambura, Chairperson of the Lake Albert Silver Fishers Association, led the delegation and explained that setting up a fully equipped legal fishing boat requires at least Shs10 million—an amount many fishermen cannot afford. He stressed that the lack of capital forces many to engage in illegal fishing activities as a means of survival, despite increased government sensitisation efforts.
Museveni announced that the Fisheries Fund will be accessible to all interested fishermen operating on Uganda’s major water bodies, including Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, George, and the River Nile. He revealed that about one billion shillings will be allocated to each sub-region hosting these water bodies, and the funds will be deposited into SACCO accounts of registered fisheries associations to enable easy access.
The President emphasized that the fund will help transition fishermen from illegal to legal practices by enabling them to acquire appropriate fishing gear at low interest. He further underscored the importance of involving skilled indigenous fishing communities—such as the Bakenyi, Banyaruguru, and Batagwenda—in managing fisheries resources sustainably.
Drawing comparisons to the “balalo” pastoralists who have transformed dairy farming through committed stewardship, Museveni urged fishing communities to adopt a similar model of ownership and responsibility. He encouraged partnerships between indigenous fishing groups and private investors to boost the industry’s productivity, with the support of enforcement units from the Fisheries Protection Unit to maintain regulatory compliance.
The initiative is expected to breathe new life into Uganda’s fisheries sector by improving livelihoods, promoting legal fishing, and reinforcing the country’s commitment to economic growth through sustainable resource management.
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