Illegal fishing gear worth Shs423 million destroyed
By Our Reporter
LAKE KYOGA – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has destroyed illegal fishing gear worth Shs423 million. According to Lt Col Mercy Adah Tukahirwa, the Commander, FPU the destruction has led to increase of fish in Lakes.
“The destruction of seine nets, cast nets, mina filament nets, undersized hooks and gill nets, was done in a bid to curb the mushrooming illegal fishing and also streamline the profitable fisheries sector,” she said while on three days visit on Lake Kyoga, Kayunga district April 7th, 2024.
Lt Col Tukahirwa toured Kawongo, Lwampanga Nakasongola district and Namasale, Amolatar district landing sites aimed at providing a platform for the fishing communities to interact with FPU personnel on the challenges faced and sensitize them on the benefits of legal fishing.
The visit follows the recent complaints by locals of UPDF ruthlessness to President Museveni during the Dokolo District Woman Member of Parliament by-election won by Uganda People’s Congress candidate Sarah Aguti replacing Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal who died in January from a hospital in India.
Aguti was declared winner by the Dokolo district returning officer, Erikwaine Ngobi after garnering 23,044 votes, defeating her closest opponent Janet Rose Adongo Elau of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who got 14,001 votes.
Rosemary Austin Alwoc Ogwal of Forum for Democratic Change came third with 8,168 votes followed by Eunice Akullo Obot, an independent candidate. Harriet Ageno, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate got 727 votes while another independent candidate Rebecca Arao came last with 439 votes.
Political analyst says UPDF high handed operation on the lake influenced the voting in Dokolo that costed NRM candidate to lose to UPC.
Lt Col Tukahirwa commended the Commander in Chief of UPDF H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his unwavering support of increasing fish harvests in the country.
Lt Col Tukahirwa urged fishing communities at the respective visited landing sites to employ appropriate fishing gear to conserve the water bodies and ensure the continuity of the highly lucrative fishing industry.
“Water bodies don’t expand but population increases, time will come when lakes cannot sustain us if inappropriately encroached,” she said.
She said: call for maximum cooperation between FPU troops and fishing communities to ensure the growth of this sector.
Lt Col Tukahirwa further called upon leaders in Amolatar district to stop politicking and embrace government programs fighting illegalities on lakes.
“Let us tell people the truth so that they can benefit from Lake Kyoga instead of telling lies which can’t help in kicking out poverty,” she emphasised.
She pardoned some fishermen with impounded fishing gear, cautioning them to stop illegal fishing.
Locals chairpersons promised good cooperate cooperate with FPU personnel and thanked President Museveni for his visionary leadership that has increased fish stocks, most especially nile perch and tilapia with some weighing between 65 to 80 kilo grams.
The fishing communities decried stealing of boat engines and fishing nets, the lack of money to purchase the recommended fishing gear and high handedness in dealing with people suspected of engaging in illegal fishing.
The FPU Commander Lt Col Tukahirwa was also accompanied by Amolatar RDC Francis Okello Rwothony, LC V Vice Chairperson for Amolatar Onyang Peter Sam, Amolatar Workers’ Councilor Hon Eumu Patrick Kauma, FPU Intelligence Officer Maj Joseph Cherop, FPU Operations Officer Frank Kanzira and FPU Public Information Officer Lt Lauben Ndifula, among others.
In 2017, President Museveni initiated the operation against illegal fishing which has had a significant increase in fish stocks ever since the crackdown on illegal fishing on mainly Uganda’s lakes and rivers.
