Museveni urges Bunyoro farmers to embrace fish farming
KIKUUBE, March 19, 2025 – President Yoweri Museveni, who began his tour of the Bunyoro region on Tuesday to monitor the progress of the Parish Development Model [PDM], has urged farmers to embrace fish farming, saying it will not only help them generate income but also conserve wetlands.
He made the remarks yesterday after visiting the fish farm of Jackson Mpagazihe, a farmer from Kimbugu village in Kabwoya Sub-county, Kikuube district.
Mpagazihe commended Museveni for initiating the PDM, stating that it is transforming the lives of the people.
He shared with the President and his ministers that he had received Shs 1 million in August 2023, from which he withdrew Shs 908,000. With this money, he used Shs 500,000 to excavate a pond and was left with Shs 400,000.
Mpagazihe explained that he added Shs 20,000 to the remaining balance of Shs 400,000 to buy 1,000 fish fingerlings to stock his first pond. He also mentioned that he used Shs 160,000 from maize sales to purchase fish feed.
“I started looking after the fish pond, and after eight months, I began harvesting. By the end of the first harvest, I had earned Shs 1.5 million,” Mpagazihe said.
He noted that from the second harvest, he earned Shs 1.4 million, adding that with the money from all his harvests, he managed to excavate seven additional ponds.
Mpagazihe also mentioned that the district had supported him with 4,000 fish fingerlings, which helped stock one of his ponds. He now has six ponds stocked with 20,000 fingerlings and is awaiting his third harvest before stocking the remaining two ponds.
He stated that with continued support, he expects to earn over Shs 10 million annually and highlighted that the major challenge facing fish farmers is feeding, which could be alleviated with machines to produce fish feed.
“I’ve been able to employ four people and pay school fees for my children from the income generated by my fish farming venture, which I started with just Shs 1 million,” Mpagazihe said.
“I thank the President for initiating this programme. While I had the capacity to secure a million shillings to invest in this business, I lacked the knowledge. However, after receiving training and the support of Shs 1 million, I was able to start.”
President’s reaction
Museveni responded, saying, “At the start of this programme, we were targeting coffee farming, fruit cultivation, poultry, and pig farming, but this farmer [Mpagazihe] has shown us that Shs 1mln can also help someone engage in fish farming. I am pleased that Mpagazihe has set a good example. He has taught me something new, as they had previously told me that excavating a pond requires a lot of money. But as you can see, he only spent Shs 500,000 to excavate his first pond.”
The President further noted that fish farming is an enterprise that can help conserve wetlands, which have been depleted by farming activities across the country.
“Instead of growing rice and other crops that degrade wetlands, farmers living in or near wetlands should engage in fish farming, which will not only help conserve these wetlands but also provide water for irrigation,” Museveni advised. “Mpagazihe has set a good example, and it will help us conserve our wetlands. I urge people living near the River Kafo to emulate him. Rather than destroying the river, they should consider setting up ponds for fish farming, which will bring them income and also protect the river.”
Museveni pledged Shs 10mln to Mpagazihe to purchase a tukutuku [motorcycle] for transporting fish products and promised to buy him a Shs 20mln machine to produce fish feed.
He challenged all those who received money to properly utilise the funds and repay the Shs 1.12 million within two years. He pointed out that the PDM is helping farmers secure startup capital without turning to moneylenders who charge high-interest rates.
He explained that the programme initially began as a pilot project with Shs 100mln allocated per parish, but the government plans to increase funding by an additional Shs 300mln due to the programme’s positive impact and the transformation it is bringing to Ugandans.
Minister’s remarks
State Minister for Works and Transport, Byamukama, stated that PDM is a “magic bullet” transforming people’s lives both socially and economically.
“Our people have the knowledge to start their own household income-generating activities, but they lack the necessary startup capital. Thanks to PDM, this challenge has been addressed,” Minister Byamukama said.
He acknowledged that, initially, some people doubted the programme’s effectiveness, but it has since proven to be a game-changer and encouraged the Banyoro to embrace it.
District’s perspective
Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube District Resident Commissioner, commended the President for his visit, noting that it would encourage more people to engage in farming.
He explained that the PDM is transforming lives in the Bunyoro region, with many people moving from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
Tumusiime mentioned that numerous farmers in the district are now involved in various enterprises, such as fish farming, poultry, pig farming, and goat rearing, which is improving household incomes.
He added that Kikuube District received Shs 6 billion and has already disbursed Shs 5.9bln to 5,987 beneficiaries. The remaining funds are yet to be disbursed due to system challenges.
Commendation for Mpagazihe
Kikuube District Fisheries Officer, John Kiburara, described Mpagazihe as self-driven, committed, and hard-working.
He noted that the district has 135 fish farmers, with Mpagazihe being one of the top performers. He suggested that with more support, Mpagazihe could achieve even greater success.
Prime Minister’s praise
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja commended Museveni for the developments initiated by the NRM government in the region. She highlighted the improvement of roads, schools, health facilities, and ongoing oil development projects.
Nabbanja emphasised that the region is now focused on fighting poverty, with the PDM, playing a key role in this effort.
https://thecooperator.news/lira-farmers-embrace-integrated-rice-fish-farming-system/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
