Residents of Bukina Village in Bujjanko Parish, Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi District, have appealed to the government to intervene and ease the hardships caused by strict fishing regulations on Lake Victoria, which they say have severely disrupted their main source of livelihood.
The village lies along the Bujjanko landing site, where most households depend on fishing—particularly Mukene (silver fish) and other lake species—for survival. Residents say intensified enforcement measures aimed at curbing illegal fishing have resulted in the confiscation of boats and nets, leaving many fishermen jobless and pushing families into economic distress.
Community members report that the loss of livelihoods has fueled frustration, unemployment, and discontent, especially among the youth. Some residents admitted that the situation prompted them to withdraw political support from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and shift allegiance to opposition groups.
In response to the growing dissatisfaction, local NRM leaders convened a community meeting in Bukina Village to address residents’ concerns and re-engage youths who had distanced themselves from the party. The meeting emphasized dialogue, reassurance, and renewed government support.
Youth leader Abel Nsubuga, who previously aligned with the opposition, spoke on behalf of affected youths, saying the community was open to reconciliation if their concerns were addressed.
“We have been suffering because of the fishing regulations,” Nsubuga said. “But if NRM addresses the issues affecting us, we are ready to return and support the party.”
The meeting was attended by Faizo Ndase, an official overseeing the Youth Wealth Creation Programme under the Office of the President. Ndase outlined how government initiatives could support unemployed and vulnerable youths in the area, helping to ease tensions.
“I have come to meet you personally,” Ndase told residents. “There is no reason for you to support opposition groups. Through the Youth Wealth Creation Programme, government will address the challenges you are facing.”
Following the engagement, Nsubuga and several other youths publicly pledged renewed loyalty to the NRM, citing assurances of inclusion in government programs and economic support initiatives.
Waswa Kajjiri, an official from the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) who organized the meeting, said he was concerned by the growing political divide among local youths.
“It worried me that many youths from this area had abandoned NRM,” Kajjiri said. “That is why I organized this meeting—to end the tension and misunderstandings.”
Bukina Village LC1 Chairperson Richard Magoba Muganga acknowledged that strict enforcement of fishing regulations had significantly contributed to the decline in NRM support.
“NRM support had gone down because of the lake restrictions,” Magoba said. “But after Faizo Ndase addressed the residents, people have regained hope. Everything is now returning to normal.”
Residents are now urging the government to strike a balance between environmental conservation and livelihood protection, stressing that sustainable fishing policies must be accompanied by economic support for communities that depend entirely on Lake Victoria.
