Politicians cannot withdraw army from lakes, says UPDF
Destroyed. Fisheries Protection Unit prepares to burn illegal fishing gear that were recovered from shops and stores in Jinja Town on Tuesday. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA
What you need to know:
- However, Mr Patrick Kiwanuka, a fisherman in Jinja District, said government should look for ways of supporting fishermen because the recommended fishing gears are too expensive for majority of the fishermen.
The Commander of Fisheries Protection Unit in Eastern region, Maj Joseph Ssebukera, has said politicians are wasting time by pushing for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to withdrawal its operations from water bodies.
According to Maj Ssebukera, it is the politicians who are causing setbacks in the fight against illegal fishing since its launch three years ago, adding that they want to protect their interests as the 2021 General Election approaches.
Maj Ssebukera’ s statement comes after the Buvuma Island Woman MP, Ms Janepher Egunyu Nantume, last year threatened to undress before the House to express her disappointment at the soldiers’ alleged mistreatment of fishermen.
Ms Nantume suggested that the operations of the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit be suspended immediately unless government commits itself on the safety of the fishermen on the lake.
Sections of MPs commended the UPDF for restoring fish stocks on Lake Victoria that has led to opening about 15 closed fish factories since the operation began in 2017.
In 2017, President Museveni ordered for UPDF operations on all major water bodies after reports suggested that fish stocks of especially Nile Perch were being affected by illegal fishing activities.
“The current season we are seeing is to do with politics which is becoming a problem; that is local politicking and it is really a challenge, but for us we don’t listen or follow commands from politicians. We are continuing with our daily operations to fight the vice,” Maj Ssebukera said.
He made the statement while destroying illegal fishing gears worth Shs35m which were recovered from shops and stores at Masese Landing Site, Walukuba-Masese Division, Jinja Municipality on Tuesday.
The illegal fishing gears included mono filament nets, cast nets, hook liners and under seized nets, all which are not recommended for fishing.
“The fishermen who are using the recommended fishing gears are helpful in the operations by sharing information with our officers about the black markets of the illegal fishing nets; since suspects have been arrested, they will lead us to the suppliers,” he said.
By 2019, more than 5,000 illegal fishermen had been arrested since operations started, over 15,000 have been taken to court while others have been cautioned.
The chairman of the fishing community in Jinja, Mr Majid Magumba, said fishermen are still struggling to use illegal fishing gears because they are very cheap.
“At Shs30,000, they can catch any size of fish; there is need for government to ban the importation of illegal fishing gears that are being sold on the black market,” he said.
However, Mr Patrick Kiwanuka, a fisherman in Jinja District, said government should look for ways of supporting fishermen because the recommended fishing gears are too expensive for majority of the fishermen.
“Illegal fishing will take time to end unless government looks for alternative means to create financial support to the fishing communities and enable them acquire the recommended gear,” said Mr Kiwanuka.
A recommended boat for fishing costs between Shs3m and Shs5m; an engine between Shs5 and Shs7m, while the prices of fishing gears vary from Shs6m to Sh10m.
