Expect revitalised fisheries sector during my presidency, Nandala tells Mayuge residents

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At Bwondha landing site in Mayuge district, Anthony Kasaale, a small-scale fisherman, narrated how the army confiscated and burnt his nets, accusing him of using illegal gear. 

According to Kasaale, the nets were destroyed without due process, yet those who paid soldiers were quietly allowed back onto the lake.

“This is the business I know, and I was getting good money before, but now they asked for sh500,000 just to let us use the lake. But this water is our only way to feed our families,” he said, insisting that military enforcement had worsened their poverty rather than protected the lake.

Since 2017, when President Museveni deployed the army to monitor fishing activities, allegations of extortion and harassment have persisted. Despite widespread complaints, the UPDF has repeatedly denied most of the acts and pledged to investigate others.

The operation formalised the creation of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), which is mandated to eliminate illegal fishing gear and stabilise the sector. In March 2024, amid growing pressure, the President announced that the army would gradually withdraw from lakes, handing over responsibility to local communities after an initial clean-up.

It was in this heated context that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi arrived in Mayuge on the 57th day of his campaign, promising to restore lake ownership to the people.

Nandala Mafabi addressing FDC supporters. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

FDC supporters listening to Mafabi. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

Speaking in the heart of Busoga’s fishing communities, Nandala used his signature door-to-door, village-to-village approach, engaging residents of Lwanika, Bugoto, and Bwondha. Accompanied by FDC parliamentary flag-bearers, he declared that an FDC government would end military control of the waters and reinstate democratic, community-managed Beach Management Committees.

“Many of you earn your livelihood from this lake, yet you pay bribes and live in fear. That ends under my government,” he told his supporters in Bwondha town council.

FDC flagbearer, Nandala Mafabi. (Alfred Ochwo)

(Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

He pledged to revive the local economy through income-generating ventures designed for a region shackled by poverty.

Mayuge, despite being a home of productive landing sites like Bwondha, Bugoto, Namoni and Lwanika, continues to face deep-rooted challenges, some of which are inadequate access to clean water, weak healthcare services, poor school infrastructure and high poverty levels that push children into fishing instead of the classroom.

Region MPs blasted

Nandala did not hold back his criticism of leaders from the region. He criticised Busoga’s 23 Members of Parliament, accusing them of doing little to address poverty while falsely assuring the President that the region is thriving.

“People tell you they are close to Mzee Museveni, yet they do nothing to ease your suffering. If they cared, they would have fixed your roads; they would not charge high taxes. But every year, we lose shillings 10 trillion in corruption,” he charged.

Nandala said his commitments stem from the FDC’s Five-Pillar Manifesto (2026–2031), which outlines a complete overhaul of Uganda’s blue economy. Under this plan, the party promises to remove the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit from policing lakes and return authority to elected landing beach committees.

According to the manifesto, these committees will leverage technology to curb corruption on water bodies. Beyond regulation, the FDC plans massive investment in aquaculture, improving fish genetics, boosting commercial fingerling production, strengthening disease control, and supporting research.

The presidential candidate further pledged technical and financial assistance to women and youth to enter fish farming, as well as programmes for alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on depleted fish stocks. Infrastructure is also central to their vision, with plans to construct modern fish terminals and market complexes equipped with storage and processing facilities.

More responsible management of resources

In his speech, Nandala argued that an FDC government would manage resources more responsibly, keep taxes affordable, and recover public funds lost to corruption. He urged the people of Busoga to support the FDC in the 2026 election, saying the time had come for Uganda to live better lives.

Across Uganda, the fisheries sector supports over a million livelihoods and is a key source of food and income. In Mayuge  alone, thousands depend on fishing, yet they face persistent challenges including illegal fishing, water pollution, and alleged military extortion.

FDC media relations manager Norman Turyatembs criticised the military’s role on the lakes, insisting that soldiers have fostered corruption and undermined community governance. The party’s 2026 strategy commits to restoring regulatory power to local communities and boosting their capacity through education, modern fishing gear, and proper processing facilities.

Government intervention in the fishing sector

Government efforts to improve the sector have focused largely on production inputs. 

In September 2025, President Museveni revealed that during his Parish Development Model (PDM) tours, fish farmers highlighted the shortage of affordable, quality fish feeds. He directed the UPDF’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to explore feed production, but later welcomed relief following the opening of the De Heus fish feed factory, which he said would ease the burden on government finances.

“This is a better solution than the one I was trying through the army company because these people are bringing in new capital from outside. I will now ring the army people and tell them to do other things.” Museveni noted

Why Mayuge matters

Mayuge District is politically significant. In the 2021 elections, the district overwhelmingly voted for the National Unity Platform’s Robert Kyagulanyi, who polled 62,938 votes. President Museveni came second with 50,932, while the FDC’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat trailed with just 1,005 votes. The district also elected NRM candidates to all parliamentary seats.