NGO offers free legal services to Lake Kyoga fishermen

She said the organisation would also draft employment contract documents for those living on major landing sites in Amolatar District when the project kicks off.

A human rights organisation is to offer free legal services to fishermen whose rights have allegedly been violated by some law enforcers on Lake Kyoga.

The decision by Platform for Labour Action (PLA) comes after the authorities in Namasale Town Council, Amolatar District sought intervention of the organisation after Marine Police allegedly forced hundreds of fishermen out of the lake.

Many fishermen have for close to five years reportedly been tortured and harassed as the law enforcers attempt to crackdown on illegal fishing on the lake.

Ms Joanitah Amumpaire, PLA’s legal assistant, said they had secured funding from the Democratic Governance Facility, a civil society organisation, to begin listening to the cases in August this year.

She said the organisation would also draft employment contract documents for those living on major landing sites in Amolatar District when the project kicks off.

Mr Peter Alani, the town clerk, welcomed the NGO’s move.

Move applauded
“This is an intervention that we have been lacking. There are a lot of issues here that need legal backing,” Mr Alani said.
The Namasale community development officer, Mr Jimmy Ayuli Okori, said local courts were incapacitated because they nolonger have any legal backing.

Last year, the deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Okoth Ochola, suspended all marine police operations against illegal fishing on Lake Kyoga and Kwani in Apac and Amolatar districts respectively for alleged mistreatment of fishermen.

He was responding to a petition by members of the Lango Parliamentary Group against the alleged increasing harassment of fishermen by police in Apac.

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