Use wetlands profitably, Museveni advises Lango residents

KOLE, January 13, 2026 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement [NRM] candidate in the forthcoming presidential election, has advised residents of Kole District and the wider Lango Sub-region to make productive use of available wetlands as a way of reducing household poverty.

Museveni made the remarks during his second-to-last campaign rally held days ago in the Lango sub-region, held at Aculbanya Primary School playground in Kole district. He said proper utilisation of wetlands could significantly improve livelihoods.

He highlighted several profitable activities that can be carried out in and around wetlands, including fish farming, tree planting along wetland boundaries and irrigation of upland areas.

“The water will return to the centre of the swamp, and then you can use it to irrigate the land. Irrigation is not a joke; it can lift you out of poverty. That is how you use wetlands more profitably,” Museveni said.

He noted that fish farming is one of the most suitable activities for wetlands, as it helps to retain water that can serve multiple purposes.

“The best use of a wetland is fish farming. The water collects in the centre of the swamp, then we irrigate the dry land. You can harvest ten times more than those who do not irrigate their gardens. This is what wealth creation is about,” he said.

Museveni further cited his own experience, saying he records high yields from his banana plantation due to irrigation supported by proper wetland use.

“I have done irrigation in my garden, and my people there get 53 tonnes per hectare. The Banyankole nearby who are not irrigating get only five tonnes. I therefore get much more than them. It is not right to misuse or underutilise the gifts God gave us,” he added.

The Kole District Production and Marketing Officer, Richard Opio, agreed with the President’s advice, noting that crops such as vegetables can be grown using micro-scale irrigation systems that draw water from nearby swamps.

“One option is fish farming, and another is micro-scale irrigation, where you draw water from a nearby swamp to irrigate your field and produce vegetables like tomatoes and onions. Other crops can also be grown,” Opio said.

However, Opio noted that many farmers fail to consult agricultural extension workers before engaging in fish farming, often digging in the centre of wetlands, which he said was harmful.

“The main challenge is that many fish farmers start digging in the centre of the wetlands before seeking guidance from extension workers. This practice is very wrong,” he said.

He also warned about poor water management practices, saying they pose a threat to wetlands and surrounding water sources.

“How do you prevent complete water loss? Some people simply open waterways, which causes wetlands to dry up. If this continues, it even affects boreholes, as the water table reduces,” he cautioned.

Meanwhile, the LC3 Chairperson of Alito Sub-county, Tom Olet, said communities in the area are increasingly using wetlands responsibly.

“Most people around wetlands are engaged in fish farming, which brings income. Others are planting trees along wetland boundaries, practising apiculture and grazing animals. We have sensitised our people about the dangers of wetland degradation, and such practices have reduced. Communities now understand the importance of purposeful wetland use,” Olet said.

Museveni who has been President in Uganda since January 26, 1986, is running against seven other candidates in the presidential election to be held on January 15, 2026. They include Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform [NUP], Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change [FDC], Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation [ANT].

Other presidential candidates are; Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of the Common Man’s Party [ CMP], Frank Bulira Kabinga of the Revolutionary Peasants’ Party [RPP], Robert Kasibante of the National Progressive Party [NPP], and Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party [CP].

https://thecooperator.news/lango-cultural-leaders-want-wetlands-protected/

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