According to Migadde, Uganda’s lakes still have the capacity to recover despite years of overfishing. He attributes the decline largely to the harvesting of immature fish, which prevents natural breeding and replenishment.
When Robert Migadde Ndugwa was appointed State Minister for Fisheries, he inherited one of Uganda’s most troubled yet economically important sectors.
For years, the country’s fisheries industry has grappled with dwindling fish stocks, rampant illegal fishing, environmental degradation, shrinking exports and growing poverty in fishing communities. The sector, which supports more than five million Ugandans and remains one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earners, has seen thousands of fishermen struggle to make ends meet as catches continue to decline.
Now, the veteran legislator and Buvuma County Member of Parliament believes the sector can be revived—but only through collective action, stricter enforcement of fisheries laws, and renewed trust between government and fishing communities.
In an exclusive interview with Henry Nsubuga, Migadde outlined an ambitious roadmap centred on restoring Uganda’s lakes, strengthening community participation, expanding aquaculture and creating alternative livelihoods for fishing communities.
“Our biggest priority is to restore Uganda’s lakes,” Migadde said. “Many people have lost their livelihoods because fish stocks have declined. Once the lakes recover, employment opportunities will return and fishing communities will once again earn a decent living.”
Although he is new to Cabinet, Migadde says he is no stranger to fisheries management. Having spent more than four decades around fishing communities and served for years as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for MPs representing constituencies with water bodies, he believes he understands the sector’s challenges firsthand.
A Shared Responsibility
Rather than relying solely on government agencies, Migadde wants to build a broad coalition to rescue Uganda’s fisheries.
He says success will depend on stronger coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the 155 Marines Battalion, the Presidential Fisheries Task Force, district fisheries officers, Beach Management structures and the fishermen themselves.
“Whether someone catches Nile perch, tilapia or Mukene, everyone has a role to play,” he said. “Our objective is to unite all stakeholders behind one mission—protecting Uganda’s lakes while ensuring fishing remains a sustainable source of income.”
Migadde believes dialogue is the missing ingredient in fisheries management. His ministry plans to hold regular consultations with every category of fishermen to ensure they participate in shaping government policies.
“No one should feel excluded,” he said. “Government wants fishermen to earn a living, but we must also stop practices that destroy fish breeding grounds. Sustainable fishing benefits everyone.”
Restoring Fish Stocks
According to Migadde, Uganda’s lakes still have the capacity to recover despite years of overfishing.
He attributes the decline largely to the harvesting of immature fish, which prevents natural breeding and replenishment.
“Fish stocks have reduced significantly, but they have not disappeared,” he explained. “If we stop catching immature fish and strengthen conservation measures, the lakes can recover.”
He also acknowledged that pollution and environmental degradation have compounded the problem, but insisted that fishermen themselves must become the first custodians of the country’s aquatic resources.
“If fishermen protect the lakes, they are protecting their own future,” he said.
The minister believes visible improvements in fish stocks could begin to emerge within a year if illegal fishing is substantially reduced and conservation measures are effectively enforced.
Fighting Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing remains one of the biggest obstacles to restoring Uganda’s fisheries.
Migadde wants local fisheries committees established under the Fisheries Act to become the frontline enforcers against destructive fishing practices.
He proposes equipping these committees with official identification and empowering them to confiscate illegal fishing gear directly at landing sites before it reaches the lakes.
To eliminate corruption, he says confiscated gear should be destroyed immediately rather than stored where it could find its way back into circulation.
Similarly, fish seized during enforcement operations should benefit surrounding communities instead of being diverted through corrupt dealings.
On accusations that government taxes illegal fishing gear before arresting those who use it, Migadde dismissed the claims.
He said investigations conducted with the Uganda Revenue Authority had found no evidence that prohibited fishing gear was legally imported and taxed.
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“Most illegal gear enters the country through smuggling,” he said, adding that fisheries experts will now work more closely with customs officials to identify prohibited equipment before it enters the market.
The ministry also intends to publish clear guidelines distinguishing legal fishing gear from illegal equipment to eliminate confusion among fishermen.
Learning From Past Mistakes
The disbandment of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) after allegations of brutality, extortion and corruption remains fresh in the minds of many fishing communities.
Migadde acknowledges that previous enforcement approaches failed to earn public confidence but says government has drawn valuable lessons from those experiences.
“The new system must be professional, accountable and respectful of people’s rights,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the 155 Marines Battalion, which replaced the FPU, will enforce fisheries laws more professionally after undergoing specialised training.
However, he warned that corruption cannot be blamed solely on security personnel.
“It is a two-way process,” he said. “Both those who offer bribes and those who receive them must be held accountable.”
Looking Beyond the Lakes
Recognising that conservation alone cannot solve the economic challenges facing fishing communities, Migadde is championing alternative livelihoods, particularly aquaculture.
Government, he said, is discussing programmes that will support fish farmers through improved fish ponds, technical training and quality fingerlings.
He believes expanding fish farming will reduce pressure on natural water bodies while creating new employment opportunities.
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“The goal is not to stop people from earning a living,” he explained. “It is to ensure that fishing remains sustainable while other income opportunities are created.”
Resolving Mukene Disputes
Migadde also addressed tensions between Mukene fishermen and Nile perch fishermen, arguing that declining fish stocks have fuelled unnecessary conflicts.
Instead of blaming one another, he said, fishermen should unite against illegal fishing.
On the controversial ban on the “Hurry-Up” fishing method and restrictions on the use of lights in Mukene fishing, Migadde noted that the directives originated from President Yoweri Museveni.
However, he revealed that government intends to engage the President on the possibility of reviewing restrictions on the use of lights, provided fishermen demonstrate a commitment to responsible fishing practices.
He reassured families that depend on Mukene fishing that government is finalising regulations aimed at allowing sustainable harvesting while protecting breeding grounds.
Adding Value, Creating Jobs
Beyond conservation, Migadde wants Uganda to earn more from its fisheries through value addition.
He said government is reviewing the entire fisheries value chain, from fish handling at landing sites to processing and export, with support from research by the National Agricultural Research Organisation.
Improving processing standards, he believes, will increase Uganda’s competitiveness in international markets while creating more jobs.
Young people, he added, stand to benefit most if fish stocks recover.
“There was a time when a fisherman could earn one million shillings from a single day’s catch,” Migadde recalled. “That demonstrates the enormous potential of this sector if it is managed properly.”
Beyond Fisheries
While his new portfolio places him at the centre of Uganda’s fisheries sector, Migadde says he remains committed to his responsibilities as Buvuma County MP and Chairperson of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus.
He intends to strengthen collaboration between the caucus and the Buganda Kingdom while continuing to champion programmes such as the Emmwanyi Terimba coffee campaign and other socio-economic initiatives.
For Buvuma, his priorities remain expanding electricity, improving education and healthcare, increasing ferry services and ensuring residents whose land was acquired for oil palm growing receive fair compensation.
He also acknowledged that land disputes remain a major concern in the district and called for lawful, transparent and dialogue-based solutions that protect both communities and genuine investors.
A Legacy Measured by Recovery
Migadde says he wants to be remembered not simply as a minister, but as someone who helped restore one of Uganda’s most important economic sectors.
His vision is one where fish stocks rebound, illegal fishing is significantly reduced, exports increase and millions of Ugandans regain sustainable livelihoods.
“Fisheries belong to all Ugandans,” he said. “Government cannot succeed alone, just as fishermen cannot succeed without healthy lakes. If we work together and protect our lakes today, future generations will continue to benefit from this vital resource.”
For Uganda’s fishing communities, whose fortunes have declined alongside the country’s fish stocks, Migadde’s promise offers hope. Whether that vision becomes reality will depend not only on government policy, but also on the willingness of every stakeholder to safeguard the country’s waters for generations to come.
