Kyankwanzi, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has announced plans for a large-scale nationwide fish farming project, alongside new directives aimed at strengthening coordination and transparency at the district level.
Speaking on the sixth day of the NRM Parliamentary retreat at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi, Museveni said the proposed aquaculture programme would unlock the economic potential of Uganda’s wetlands while boosting household incomes.
“I intend to launch a big, countrywide project for fish farming,” Museveni told legislators.
He noted that existing initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) are insufficient to fully utilise wetlands.
“These wetlands we have cannot be effectively utilised using the Parish Development Model funds alone. The Shs1 million is not enough—it requires machinery and organised state support,” he said.
State-Led Investment Model
The President explained that while some individuals can invest privately, the scale of the project requires direct government leadership and long-term planning. He indicated that implementation may stretch beyond the current financial year due to competing national priorities, including preparations for major continental events.
In a related directive, Museveni ordered that all government funds and programmes sent to districts must be communicated to political leaders, including Members of Parliament and LC5 chairpersons.
“No funds, whether for government programmes or the Parish Development Model, should go to districts without the knowledge of political leaders,” he said.
Museveni also revealed plans to establish a military barracks in Bulambuli District to strengthen security in the eastern region.
On agriculture, he directed that government land be utilised for seedling production as part of efforts to enhance environmental restoration and agricultural productivity.
Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, urged MPs to align with the country’s foreign policy framework.
“When interacting in the foreign policy space, Members of Parliament should bear in mind that the Executive takes the lead,” Ayebare said, highlighting Uganda’s growing diplomatic role, including its leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement.
He also pointed to Uganda’s engagement in regional and international blocs such as the African Union, East African Community, and COMESA, calling for strategic focus on technology transfer, value addition, and investment promotion.
Presenting on agricultural commercialisation, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze said Uganda is still underutilising its agricultural capacity. “We have only utilised between 35% and 38% of our land for full agricultural production, and fertiliser use remains very low at about 2.5 kilograms per hectare,” Tumwebaze noted.
He called for a shift towards intensive and modern farming, especially under the four-acre model, integrating enterprises such as poultry, dairy, piggery, and fish farming. “Our coffee exports are growing, but we are still largely exporting raw materials. Value addition would significantly increase earnings,” he added.
Security Minister Jim Muhwezi emphasised that national stability remains critical to economic transformation. “National security is multi-dimensional. It involves protecting territorial integrity, safeguarding national interests, and ensuring the welfare and dignity of citizens,” Muhwezi said.
He added that a stable security environment is essential for the success of government programmes and sustained economic growth.
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