The Ugandan government plans to establish a dedicated fund for fishermen to enhance their livelihoods, according to President Yoweri Museveni. He made the announcement while visiting Titus Tumusiime’s farm in Sironko village, Butiaba Sub-county, Buliisa district. Tumusiime is one of the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative aimed at reducing poverty.
During his performance assessment tour of the PDM in Bunyoro sub-region, President Museveni acknowledged that the existing funds are insufficient to support fishermen. He explained that fishing equipment such as boats and nets are costly, making it difficult for fishermen to sustain their businesses with PDM funds alone.
“The cost of fishing tools like boats and nets is high. The PDM funds are not enough for fishermen to purchase them. We will create an additional fund specifically for them,” Museveni stated.
To address the matter further, he scheduled a meeting with fishing community leaders in May to discuss the initiative.
Support for Model Farmer and Local Development
During his visit, President Museveni praised Titus Tumusiime for his efforts as a model farmer and contributed Shs10 million for him to purchase a tuk-tuk to transport pig feeds. Additionally, he provided Shs25 million for a grinder to support his farming business.
The president also addressed the Bugungu Kingship issue, stating that he has no objection to the Butebengwa kingship. He promised to arrange a meeting between the Butebengwa team and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to resolve any concerns.
His response followed a request from Allan Atugonza, the Buliisa County representative, who informed him that the approval process for Butebengwa’s kingship had been completed. The proposal has already been submitted to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development for gazettement.
Addressing Lake Albert Disputes and Local Involvement
Regarding ongoing Lake Albert disputes, President Museveni urged local leaders to take an active role in resolving the issues affecting the lake. He promised to organize a stakeholders’ meeting in May to discuss and find lasting solutions.
Atugonza commended the President’s poverty alleviation programs, particularly the PDM, which he said has transformed many lives in Uganda.
PDM Success: Titus Tumusiime’s Testimony
Mr. Tumusiime expressed gratitude to President Museveni for the PDM initiative, which helped him improve his household income. He received Shs997,000 from the program on November 15, 2023, and used it strategically to grow his farming business.
With the funds, he bought six pigs for Shs120,000 each and spent:
- Shs120,000 on pig feeds
- Shs70,000 on constructing a pig fence
- Shs40,000 on medication
- Shs40,000 on transportation
Over time, his pigs multiplied significantly. Two female pigs produced 26 piglets, while three more pigs had 22 piglets, totaling 48 piglets.
When selling, he earned:
- Shs2,600,000 from the first 26 piglets, sold at Shs100,000 each
- Shs1,700,000 from the remaining 22 piglets, sold at Shs80,000 each
In total, he generated Shs4,300,000, a significant return on investment. He credited the PDM program for transforming his financial situation.
The visit was attended by government ministers, Members of Parliament, and other key leaders, reinforcing the government’s commitment to economic empowerment at the grassroots level.