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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 80726, member: 636"] A presidential candidate just promised to pull soldiers off Lake Victoria. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who runs with the National Unity Platform or NUP, made this pledge during a rally at Kasaali Playground in Buvuma District. He said his government would stop military operations on the lake and prosecute security officers accused of torturing and extorting local fishermen. His visit to the island district had a rocky start, with security forces blocking NUP supporters from using a ferry to follow him. Kyagulanyi argued that the military deployment makes life harder for poor fishing communities. He called the fishermen struggling Ugandans, not criminals. He also slammed state spending on what he called political intimidation, saying those billions for security ops could build hospitals and roads for places like Buvuma, which lacks even one tarmacked road. A local religious leader, Rev. Brian Kiggundu from Buvuma Mission Parish, echoed the sentiment at the rally. He asked police and army units to stop using tear gas and guns on citizens, wanting a fair political field. He also pushed for more youth jobs to curb unrest. People at the event listed major issues like land grabbing, a bad health system, and the constant harassment of fishermen on Lake Victoria. The NUP Woman Member of Parliament for Buvuma District, Suzan Nakaziba Mugabi, told voters not to be scared off by security agencies on election day. Kyagulanyi finished by vowing to focus on island districts, saying Buvuma needs dignity, development, and justice. The district relies on fishing, but locals say aggressive security and awful infrastructure are crushing their livelihood. [/QUOTE]

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