When dawn breaks over Lake Kyoga, fishermen push their canoes into the calm waters, casting their nets in search of the morning’s catch. But for many in Kaberamaido, the promise of a good harvest has grown uncertain. Overfishing and the capture of immature fish have begun to deplete what was once an abundant source of livelihood, a concern that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni brought sharply into focus during his campaign stop in the district.
Addressing a cheering crowd in Kaberamaido Town, the President appealed to local fishermen to embrace responsible fishing practices to safeguard the region’s aquatic wealth. He urged them to use proper nets and to stop catching young fish, warning that reckless methods threaten both the environment and the future of fishing communities.
“It is taboo to catch small fish,” Museveni cautioned. “Let them grow and lay eggs several times before you harvest them. If we protect the young fish, we will have enough for the future.”
The President said the government is establishing designated fish ponds across the country to promote organized aquaculture and support sustainable livelihoods. He encouraged young people, particularly graduates struggling to find employment, to explore fish farming as a viable business venture.
“If someone has finished university and has no job for two years, they can start fish farming,” he advised. “It brings income and food security.”
Museveni’s message in Kaberamaido went beyond fishing. He reminded residents of the transformation the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has spearheaded in the area, from peace restoration to infrastructure expansion. He recalled the days when insecurity plagued schools like Lwala Girls Secondary School, where rebels once abducted students, a painful memory he said should never return.
“Those dark days ended long ago,” he said. “The NRM restored peace across Uganda. That peace is the foundation upon which development stands.”
He pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects such as the 73.5-kilometre Katine–Kaberamaido Road, which will soon be tarmacked, and water coverage that has reached 91 percent across the district.
“Out of 234 villages, 217 now have boreholes,” he noted. “We shall extend water to the remaining 17. This is the meaning of Dongolobo, development.”
Museveni also expressed concern over persistent power interruptions despite the country generating enough electricity, promising to follow up on the issue.
Accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, the President reaffirmed NRM’s commitment to peace, infrastructure, and wealth creation, the three pillars he said define Uganda’s progress.
Earlier, Maama Janet thanked residents for their loyalty and urged them to safeguard the peace brought by the NRM.
“I want to thank God for using the President and the NRM government to build a strong foundation for our nation,” she said. “Let us continue building on this inheritance by voting for the President and the entire NRM team.”
As the rally concluded, chants of “Eyalama noi!” echoed through the crowd, a reflection of gratitude and renewed faith in a future where Kaberamaido’s waters and farmlands could once again thrive under responsible stewardship.
