Fishermen at Kaya Landing Site on Bufumira Island in Kalangala district have accused President Yoweri Museveni and his NRM government of abandoning them despite their long-standing support.
The grievances emerged during a visit by the Commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, who toured the Ssese Islands to encourage compliance with fishing regulations and mobilize support for Museveni’s 2026 re-election bid.
Kaya Landing Site alone hosts over 5,000 fishermen, most of whom voted for Museveni in the 2021 elections.
Yet, they report dire poverty following the closure of the landing site after the polls. They decried poor access to safe drinking water, collapsing health and education services, and the absence of promised government support.
“We use lake water for drinking and home use, which puts us at risk of waterborne diseases, yet our only H/C III facility lacks essential drugs,” one fisherman said.
Another angrily demanded, “At least give us NRM T-shirts so we know you have not completely forgotten us.”
The fishermen also criticized fishing regulations, particularly on Nile perch, arguing that enforcement does not consider fish breeding cycles, potentially threatening the species’ sustainability.
Lt. Col. Tukahirwa clarified that the army enforces, but does not create, fishing laws. She warned against illegal fishing but instructed the FPU to return all confiscated property and refrain from harassment.
Major Joseph Labu Cherop further educated the fishermen on the dangers of illegal nets and the risks of army deployment for non-compliance.
Despite the serious grievances, Lt. Col. Tukahirwa urged the community to support President Museveni in the upcoming elections—a message that received mixed reactions from the fishermen.
