Gov’t to inject Shs 30bln into local fishing communities
SOROTI, September 26, 2025 – The State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, has revealed that government is set to inject Shs 30 billion into Uganda’s fishing communities. The initiative is aimed at improving their socio-economic wellbeing and promoting sustainable fishing practices across the country.
Minister Adoa made the revelation in an exclusive interview with theCooperator following a dedication ceremony for this year’s Uganda Certificate of Education [UCE] and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education [UACE] candidates of Halcyon High School in Soroti City. The function was presided over by Bishop Kosea Odongo of the Church of Uganda’s Soroti Diocese, who sought divine blessings and guidance for the students as they gear up for the upcoming Uganda National Examinations Board [UNEB] exams, kicking off next month.
Ado, who doubles as the Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, said: “I am pleased to announce that His Excellency the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has allocated Shs 30 billion to support fishermen.”
Adoa, also the proprietor of Halcyon High School, urged fishermen to prepare to receive the funds by organising themselves into groups or forming Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs]. Beginning next week, she will be touring fishing communities nationwide to ensure they are ready to benefit from the funding.
“Fishermen should get ready, as I’ll be travelling across the country next week to ensure they are organised and prepared to receive this support,” she added.
According to Adoa, the funds will benefit fishing communities around Lakes Kyoga, Victoria, and Albert.
However, the Minister expressed concern over the declining fish stocks in Uganda’s lakes, despite the continued presence of large species. She noted that the overall fish population in the country’s water bodies is decreasing, posing a serious threat to the livelihoods of those dependent on the fishing sector.
Harun Onaye, LCIII Chairperson of Labor Sub-county in Serere district, commended the government’s intervention, noting that many local fishermen who used to fish in Lake Kyoga had lost their livelihoods after their illegal boats and gear were confiscated and destroyed by the Fisheries Protection Unit [FPU] of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF].
“I thank the government. I come from a fishing community, and this has been my prayer. Since the soldiers were deployed to the fishing sites, our people have suffered,” Onaye said.
He called on local communities to embrace the initiative by forming SACCOs and groups, ensuring that they benefit from the programme.
“We’ve waited for this for a long time. Now that it has come, let us embrace it and organise ourselves into groups and SACCOs,” he added.
Onaye explained that many communities in Serere district rely on fishing and that 22 gazetted landing sites were affected when the FPU took over operations.
He pledged to mobilise fishermen in Labor Sub-county to organise themselves in order to access the funds.
Adam Masaya, a fisherman at Kagwara Landing Site who has depended on fishing for 35 years, said the funding would greatly improve his household’s livelihood if received.
Masaya noted that many fishermen have endured hardship since the FPU was deployed to enforce fishing regulations, leaving numerous families without access to basic needs.
As of March 2025, Uganda’s fisheries sector contributes approximately 3 percent to the gross domestic product [GDP] and 12 percent to the agricultural GDP. The industry employs 3.2 million people and provides vital nutritional support to an estimated 15 million Ugandans.
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