Lake Albert indigenous fishers form association to access presidential pledge
“Fishers will receive the funds, use them for approved activities, and repay with a 6% annual interest,” he said.
Hoima: Indigenous fishing communities around Lake Albert have united to form an association that will help them directly benefit from a special Presidential pledge aimed at transforming the fishing sector.
The move follows a commitment by President Yoweri Museveni, who, during a meeting with fishers at Jinja State Lodge on August 5, 2025, pledged a special grant to support the livelihoods and development of fishing communities.
According to Seremoth Kamuturaki, who led the mobilisation of Lake Albert fishers, the new association is intended to strategically position the communities to receive and effectively utilise the Presidential grant.
“The pledge will not be given to individual fishers or districts it will be channeled through registered fishers’ associations,” Kamuturaki said.
The association is officially named Lake Albert Region Fishers, Processors and Traders Cooperative Credit Union.
The first mobilisation meeting was held at Runga Landing Site in Hoima District, with similar meetings scheduled for the other five districts surrounding Lake Albert: Buliisa, Kikuube, Pakwach, Kagadi, and Ntoroko.
Kamuturaki explained that the association will act as a bridge between fishers and financial institutions, helping members access credit and other support services as they operate their businesses.
He further revealed that the Ministry of Fisheries is currently designing detailed guidelines that fishers will follow to access the grant.
“Fishers will receive the funds, use them for approved activities, and repay with a 6% annual interest,” he said.
Kamuturaki also pledged to follow up with the Fisheries Ministry and other stakeholders, including the Uganda Fisheries and Fish Conservation Association (UFFCA), to ensure that the grant is delivered.
The mobilisation meetings also aim to familiarise fishers with ten Presidential policy directions for the social and economic transformation of fishing communities and the sustainable development of the sector. These include; improving hygiene through construction of toilets and provision of handwashing facilities, building schools on landing sites and purchasing recommended fishing gear.
Others are training youths in fish pond management, increasing marine police stations for security and emergency response, supporting shoreline businesses and environmental protection of wetlands and lake shores.
Kamuturaki also referenced the Fish (Co-Management) Regulation, 2025, which is currently under review by the Ministry and will soon be presented to Cabinet and later to Parliament. Once passed, it will allow indigenous fishing communities to play a leading role in managing fishing activities, with support from technical experts and security from the army.
James Mwesigwa, the Fisheries Officer for Hoima District, advised fishers not to rely solely on fishing for their livelihood. “Fishing alone is no longer sustainable. Many fishers live in poverty. I encourage you to also engage in farming and trade,” he said.
He urged them to explore other government programs that can support income diversification.
Meanwhile, Evas Kyalisiima, the Female District Councillor for Kigorobya Sub-county, called on the government to expedite the release and implementation of the Presidential pledge.
“The pledge must not be used as a political campaign tool. It should benefit the fishers as promised,” she warned.
Seremoth Kiiza, Chairperson of the Buliisa Constituency Emyooga SACCO, welcomed the awareness meetings but noted that many fishers remain uninformed about the Presidential directives.
“We need more community engagements so that everyone understands the opportunities available,” he said.
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