Mixed reactions as Bobi Wine pledges to withdraw military from Lake Kwania, others
The UPDF soldiers were deployed in 2017 by President Yoweri Museveni to combat illegal fishing, following a request by the Lake Kyoga Management Organisation [LAKIMO] to help fish stocks recover from depletion
KWANIA, October 28, 2025 — A pledge by the National Unity Platform [NUP] presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, to withdraw soldiers from Lake Kwania has sparked mixed reactions among the local fishing communities.
While addressing a campaign rally at Ikwera Primary School Playground in Aduku Town Council, Kwania district, on Saturday, Kyagulanyi vowed to remove soldiers from Lake Kwania and other water bodies across the country if elected president in the 205/2026 general elections.
He accused the Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF] Fisheries Protection Unit [FPU] of harassing and torturing fishermen under the pretext of enforcing fishing regulations.
“I am aware that even the lake [Lake Kwania] was taken over and you were chased away. I promise that when I become president, my first Executive Order will be to remove the military from the lake and give it back to the people. You will once again rejoice,” he said.
Kyagulanyi argued that the continued military deployment on Uganda’s lakes, initially justified as a conservation measure, has instead caused widespread abuse and economic hardship among fishing communities.
Fishermen react
John Odongo, a fisherman from Abali Landing Site, dismissed Kyagulanyi’s promise as a political tactic aimed at attracting votes from the fishing communities.
“The good fish stocks we see today are a result of deploying soldiers on the lake. He should not use the lake issue as a campaign tool. We appreciate that the government deployed the FPU,” Odongo said.
However, Susan Adoch, a fisher from Ogwil Landing Site in Ayabi Sub-county, praised Kyagulanyi for speaking out about the plight of the fishing communities that drive their livelihoods from Lake Kwania. “The lake is a primary source of livelihood for many residents, but this has been disrupted by the FPU’s operations. Many have lost their lives or been injured during the crackdown on illegal fishing,” she said. “A pledge to withdraw the FPU and hand over management of the lake to local fishermen is a good gesture.”
The UPDF soldiers were deployed in 2017 by President Yoweri Museveni to combat illegal fishing, following a request by the Lake Kyoga Management Organisation [LAKIMO] to help fish stocks recover from depletion. However, Museveni has since been quoted in the media suggesting that the protection of lakes should eventually be handed back to local communities.
According to fisheries experts, key challenges for fishing in Uganda include the depletion of fish stocks due to illegal fishing and climate change, weak governance and enforcement of regulations, and economic hardships faced by artisanal fishing communities
Pledge to improve education and health sectors
Kyagulanyi also pledged to improve Uganda’s struggling education and health sectors by increasing staff wages if elected president of the country.
“The education and health sectors are limping because staff are not paid well. Just vote for the umbrella next January, and that will be sorted,” he said, referring to his party symbol.
He further alleged that members of the police and military from northern Uganda face discrimination in promotions.
“The majority of the police and military come from northern Uganda, but when it comes to promotions, there is a lot of discrimination. This is going to end. I encourage you to vote, not just for Bobi Wine, but for a new Uganda, a new dawn, and a new beginning,” Kyagulanyi added.
During the same rally, he criticised the government for neglecting public universities in the region and vowed to invest more in higher education.
“The 40 years of poverty, dictatorship, unemployment, and poor healthcare will end next January. Here in Lango, the old are more educated than the young. This is intentional to destroy the young generation. In the new Uganda, you will once again have human dignity and a life that makes sense,” he declared.
Campaign trail
Kyagulanyi is currently on a campaign tour of Lango Sub-region. He began his tour in Apac Municipality on Friday, having travelled from Kiryandongo via the Rwenkunye–Masindi Port route. He also paid a visit to the embattled Uganda People’s Congress [UPC] President, Jimmy Akena at his country home in Akokoro, where he laid a wreath at the grave of former President Milton Obote.
Kyagulanyi is contesting against President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM], Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change [FDC], and Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation [ANT], among others.
According to the Electoral Commission, elections for the president and Members of Parliament will take place on January 15, 2026, with presidential campaigns having officially commenced on 29 September 2025.
https://thecooperator.news/dont-let-thieves-steal-pdm-funds-museveni-urges-lango-residents/
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