Practical life-saving skills and lifejackets bring hope to thousands of Ugandan fishers

A groundbreaking safety initiative is reshaping life for thousands of fishers along the Ugandan shores of Lake Victoria. For years, these communities worked on the water without lifejackets, safety knowledge, or rescue guidance. Now, thanks to a project supported by the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) and its partners, that reality is changing. 

The program has taken safety lessons out of boardrooms and delivered them directly to the people who face waves, wind, and storms every day. For the first time, fishers who once feared the lake now say, “I can survive even if I fall in.” 

It is being coordinated by BARIA’S Association Uganda (BAU), a grassroots organisation founded by local fishers, clergy, marine experts, and health workers.

Participation has exceeded expectations. The message of fishing safety has spread rapidly from one island to another, largely by word of mouth. At every landing site, fishermen, women, and youth gathered under trees or on boats long before trainers arrived, eager to witness demonstrations on drowning rescues and lifejacket use. 

By the end of this interim phase, between 2,000 and 3,500 active fishers and a smaller number of women fish traders, have taken part in training sessions. The project initially targeted 5,220 beneficiaries, but actual numbers are higher, as official statistics often undercount fishers in remote islands. For many, this is the first time they have received equal access to safety knowledge and equipment. 

Training on the water, not in halls 

Unlike formal workshops, these training sessions take place right on the lake, where fishers face real-life risks every day. Participants learn how to survive if they fall into the water and how to rescue others, even with only a lifejacket and no gadgets. They are also taught practical skills such as avoiding crocodile zones, fishing more safely at night, and returning home alive with confidence.

Specialist teams deliver this life-saving knowledge in a hands-on way. Health experts provide guidance on bilharzia prevention, first aid, and staying healthy on the water. Marine officers train fishers in lake safety, drowning survival, and safe boat handling. Meanwhile, Red Cross trainers demonstrate rescue techniques and practical lifesaving methods, ensuring that every fisher knows what to do when danger strikes. District Fisheries Officers (DFO) guide communities on sustainable fishing, weather awareness, and fishing laws. 

Impact and voices from the field 

The impact is already clear. The first week of training achieved 98% success, with overwhelming participation and heartfelt appreciation from communities. Fishermen often say, “We thought no one cared about us.”

 Mercy Namuganza, coordinator, BARIA’s Association of Uganda, said: 

“For many years, our people believed that drowning was simply part of life while fishing. We buried too many friends, brothers, sisters, and even entire boat crews. Today, fishermen who never had any safety training are learning how to survive, how to rescue one another, and how to respect the life that God gave them. Every session feels like a miracle, where fear turns into courage and knowledge replaces hopelessness."

Alan McCulla, coordinator, International Fund for Fishing Safety, said:

“This initiative is a perfect example of what the International Fund for Fishing Safety was created to do - support grassroots projects that come from the communities themselves. When local fishers lead the way, solutions are practical, trusted, and sustainable. We’re proud to help make that happen.”

This transformation is driven by the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS), with support from Lloyd’s Register Foundation, as part of its commitment to making the world a safer place.