Fishing communities on Lake Albert welcome Museveni’s call for local control of lakes

BULIISA, August 17, 2025 – Indigenous fishing communities in Buliisa and Hoima districts have welcomed President Yoweri Museveni’s recent suggestion allowing local communities to take the lead in managing and protecting Uganda’s lakes. The move is being hailed as a long-overdue recognition of their traditional stewardship and expertise.

Museveni made the statement during a national consultative meeting with fishing communities held recently at State Lodge, Jinja. He tasked indigenous fishermen with the conservation and policing of fish breeding zones, positioning them at the forefront of sustainable fisheries management.

Museveni emphasised that indigenous fishing communities are central to creating a sustainable and self-regulating fishing industry. He said the long-term vision is to reduce military involvement in the sector, allowing local expertise and structured community systems to take over.

“Now that we have peace, let us organise this sector and eventually return the army to the barracks,” he said. “The long-term strategy is to build a self-sustaining and organised fishing industry led by skilled Ugandans.”

He also spoke about the cultural and economic significance of fishing, particularly in the Great Lakes region, referring to the traditional “Emyooga” system of skill-based economic specialisation.

“This part of Africa is our ancestral home. The heritage of the area is based on Emyooga. We must empower those with the omwooga skill in fishing to lead the transformation of this sector,” the President added.

Local reaction

In Buliisa and Hoima, districts along Lake Albert where fishing is a cornerstone of community life, the directive has been received with optimism and hope.

John Gafabusa, a 60-year-old fisherman from Kibambura village and Chairperson of the Association of Custodians of Sacred Natural Sites in Uganda, described the move as “overdue.”

“This directive should have been issued ten years ago. We have long been sidelined in decisions about the lake, yet we know its seasons, breeding grounds, and the traditional rules that kept it healthy. Now, maybe our voices will count,” he said.

Indigenous fishermen are now calling on the government to back the directive with clear implementation guidelines, capacity building, and resources to enable effective community-led lake management.

“If we are given the mandate, we will protect the lake, not just for fishing, but for life itself,” said Aaron Kiiza, a 93-year-old chief custodian from the Bagungu indigenous community in Wanseko Town Council, Buliisa district.

Badru Katanda, a fisherman from Butiaba landing site, echoed the sentiment, saying that the directive would help curb destructive fishing practices that have severely depleted fish stocks.

Ogen Becker, Chairperson of the Rwentale landing site in Hoima District, said the President’s directive marked a return to a system that once worked.

“When fishermen managed this lake, we had no issues. The lake was protected, and we even observed fishing holidays of two weeks every month. Fish was in abundance, and we lived in harmony,” he said.

Cultural and institutional support

Andrew Byakutaga, Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, said Museveni’s suggestion aligned with the kingdom’s advocacy for indigenous-led lake management.

“Our lakes have suffered depletion due to increasing numbers of non-Ugandan fishers who ignore local laws. If this directive is implemented, it will restore order and give rightful control back to our communities,” he said.

The African Institute for Culture and Ecology [AFRICE], an organisation that works with indigenous fishing communities, also welcomed the directive. Executive Director Dennis Tabaro Natukunda said the move validates traditional cultural governance systems.

“This recognises that cultural governance is not just history, it offers real solutions,” he said. “For years, we’ve worked with communities to revive traditional systems, restore degraded ecosystems, and ensure that indigenous knowledge guides sustainable livelihoods.”

AFRICE has supported communities in Buliisa and Kalangala districts in protecting sacred sites, promoting traditional fishing practices, and preserving indigenous seed varieties. The organisation believes these culturally rooted systems are key to sustainable natural resource management.

“This is not just about fishing. It’s about empowering Ugandans to take ownership of their cultural heritage and ensure our lakes remain healthy for generations to come,” Tabaro added.

He confirmed AFRICE’s readiness to collaborate with government agencies, cultural institutions, and local leaders to co-develop lake management frameworks that balance conservation, economic benefit, and cultural preservation.

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