By Nathan Eyagu 

SERERE DISTRICT — As mounting pressure on Lake Kyoga threatens the resource that thousands of fishing families depend on, Ateker Museum has launched a 15-month community project in Bugondo Sub County aimed at turning the lake’s natural and cultural potential into new economic opportunities while strengthening efforts to protect its fragile ecosystem.

Dubbed “Stewards of the Lake,” the initiative seeks to promote eco-tourism, cultural activities and other sustainable ventures that can complement fishing and help communities reduce excessive dependence on the lake’s declining resources.

The project follows an inception meeting with Serere District leadership and an entry meeting in Bugondo, bringing together local leaders, fisheries officials, landing-site representatives and members of the fishing community.

According to Julius Esegu, Advocacy, Communications and Partnerships Officer at Ateker Museum, the initiative is not intended to stop communities from fishing but to encourage them to use the lake sustainably while exploring additional opportunities.

“We are not saying we are going to stop them from using the lake. We are saying that as they are using the lake as a source of livelihood, we also urge them to use it sustainably through venturing into alternative sources,” Esegu said.

Esegu said the project will focus on identifying and developing eco-tourism and cultural opportunities around Bugondo and potentially other communities along Lake Kyoga.

He said the lake has considerable tourism potential that could benefit local residents if communities are organized and equipped with the necessary skills.

Under the project, community members will be organized into groups and trained in group management, financial literacy, environmental protection and cultural programming.

The training is expected to equip residents with skills that can support community-based tourism and other sustainable activities.

Esegu said the entry meeting was also important in ensuring that residents have a voice in the project.

He explained that the project team wanted to understand challenges within the community before implementation so that activities respond to local realities rather than coming as unexpected interventions.

Richard Enou, Community Development Officer for Bugondo Sub County, welcomed the initiative, saying it offers the community an opportunity to benefit from a project linking culture, tourism and development.

Enou said Bugondo had not previously benefited from a similar initiative and that the Sub County leadership had embraced the project.

He pledged cooperation from local authorities to support its implementation.

Fisheries office backs diversification

Atim Christine, Fisheries Officer at Lake Kyoga in Bugondo Sub County, appreciated Ateker Museum and its partners for supporting the fishing community.

She noted that many residents have depended on fishing for years and welcomed the introduction of opportunities that could broaden their economic activities.

Atim also highlighted concerns over practices affecting Lake Kyoga and its fish stocks, noting that authorities have continued to enforce regulations aimed at promoting sustainable fishing.

She said the Stewards of the Lake project could complement these efforts by giving communities additional opportunities beyond fishing.

Bugondo landing-site leaders pledge support

Okaye Stephen, Chairman of Bugondo Landing Site, described the project as timely and pledged to mobilize residents to participate.

He said Bugondo has a good record regarding the use of legal fishing gear but continues to face challenges, including poor road access to the landing site.

Okaye said fishing is no longer providing the same opportunities it once did, making the project's focus on additional economic opportunities particularly relevant.

He thanked Ateker Museum and its partners for bringing the project to Bugondo and pledged support from landing-site leadership.

Ateker Museum believes Lake Kyoga’s natural environment, cultural heritage and numerous landing sites could provide a foundation for community-based eco-tourism.

Esegu said communities can organize young people, women, men and older residents into groups that participate in tourism and cultural activities while supporting conservation.

The project is funded by the International Congress of Maritime Museums, of which Ateker Museum is a member.

The initiative also gives Ateker Museum an opportunity to demonstrate how culture, heritage and environmental conservation can contribute to sustainable development within the Teso sub-region.

Community members who participated in the engagement welcomed the project and expressed willingness to work with the implementing team.

Through “Stewards of the Lake,” Ateker Museum hopes to create a model in which communities can benefit economically from Lake Kyoga while taking greater responsibility for protecting the resource on which their future depends.