By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
NRM Presidential candidate Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has proposed the introduction of official “fishing holidays” on major lakes as a strategy to conserve fish stocks and safeguard the fisheries sector. He noted that several countries already implement periodic pauses in fishing to allow breeding and stock replenishment—an approach he urged fishing communities in Namayingo District to consider. Museveni further confirmed that government is set to operationalize a support fund dedicated to fishing communities.
Addressing residents at the NRM Presidential campaign rally held at Namayingo Primary School playgrounds, Museveni promised to revolutionize the fisheries sector through large-scale fish farming programmes as part of a broader wealth-creation agenda. He encouraged the community to adopt proper fishing methods to protect water bodies and embrace integrated wealth-creation models such as the Four-Acre Model.
Museveni urged small-scale landowners in the district to consider intensive agricultural practices, citing success stories of individuals who began with small plots but became millionaires through commercial ventures such as coffee, poultry, piggery, fishing and fruit farming—all pillars of the Four-Acre Model.
The President showcased various success stories of beneficiaries of government empowerment funds, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme and the Women Empowerment Fund. He encouraged Namayingo residents to replicate these examples to transform their households.
Museveni also unveiled a comprehensive NRM job-creation strategy built on commercial agriculture, manufacturing and the services sector. He pledged new development projects for Namayingo District, including improved road infrastructure, additional schools and upgrades to health facilities.
He further promised to expand water coverage beyond the current 72%, revealing plans for a major water-pumping system that will draw water from Lake Victoria and distribute it by gravity to villages across the district. Museveni cautioned local leaders against budget indiscipline and urged them to prioritise essential initiatives in their planning processes.
The NRM candidate reiterated the principles of free universal education and vowed to eliminate illegal charges in government schools. He also outlined reasons for seeking re-election, urging voters to scrutinise the credentials of his competitors—NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, ANT’s Mugisha Muntu and FDC’s Nandala Mafabi—and challenged them to present their achievements.
Highlighting the peace and stability brought by the NRM government, Museveni cited progress in development, household wealth creation and job generation through agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. He reminded the audience of the battles he led in Namisindwa District during Uganda’s liberation struggle.
First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni appealed to Namayingo residents to defend the NRM’s achievements and support President Museveni and all NRM flagbearers. She described the party as a strong revolutionary organisation committed to advancing Uganda’s development trajectory.
NRM 1st National Vice Chairperson Alhaji Moses Kigongo called for unity among the party’s ranks in the district and pledged to return for reconciliation efforts. First Deputy Prime Minister and NRM CEC member Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga urged the electorate to maintain their support for the NRM to ensure continued peace, development and wealth creation. She also tabled additional service-delivery requests for Namayingo.
Namayingo District NRM Chairperson Raymond Mukisa presented a district status report, highlighting the impact of the UGX 15.3 billion Parish Development Model funds disbursed to 15,409 households, the UGX 1.3 billion extended to 54 SACCOs, as well as benefits from the Youth Livelihood Programme and Women Empowerment initiatives.
