Fisheries Unit, LC3 chair clash over illegal fishing on Lake Kyoga 

Serere | The fishing community at Pingire landing site in Pingire sub-county, Serere district, is accusing local leaders of obstructing efforts to eradicate illegal fishing practices in Lake Kyoga.

A section of the community claimed that their politicians are ignoring the unlicensed fishermen who are participating in illegal fishing during a meeting called by State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa.

Silver Etubi, a boat owner who represents legitimate boat owners, expressed concern that law-abiding boat owners are facing more challenges than illicit fishermen under the current circumstances.

He stated that in addition to being taxed heavily, the violators had destroyed their fishing grounds and damaged their boats.

They are now planning to petition the government for failing to curb illegal fishing activities, as well as inquire about the possibility of allowing them to use unauthorised fishing equipment in the lake.

Christine Tukei, chairperson of the Fisheries Protection Unit committee that oversees the Pingire, Angaro, and Ateese landing sites, stated that law-abiding fishermen pay an annual tax of shs260,000, whereas Kokota owners earn millions without paying any taxes.

She emphasised that illicit fishermen earn significantly more money than legal fishermen, and even when apprehended, they are released and return to the lake to continue their illegal activities.

Tukei claimed that politicians do not provide adequate support for enforcing the law, despite their presence and efforts to combat illegal fishing in the lake.

Nobert Ikwarit, LC3 chairperson of Pingire sub-county, dismissed the accusation, claiming that the Fisheries Protection Unit committee is unaware of the law and, even when informed, fails to grasp it.

He suggested that the committee refrain from making broad generalisations about all politicians and instead focus on him as chairman, with whom they disagree on lake management.

Ikwarit admitted that illegal fishing is common in the lake, and several people have been apprehended. According to him, the committee has been resistant to complying with and understanding the law, causing friction between them and the local government.

Deogracious Kato, UPDF Commander Serere sub-sector Fisheries Protection Unit, stated that the local community has been resistant to following the guidelines established to protect the lake.

The commander and the Fisheries Minister burned approximately 30 illegal fishing nets confiscated from fishermen.

The Pingire Landing site and sub-county have a total of 98 legal boats, but the illegal ones are estimated to number around 200.

Hellen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries, confirmed that illegal fishermen are targeting law-abiding fishermen, citing an incident in Olupe Kyere and Amolatar in which they engaged in a physical altercation with a soldier, disarming him.

She observed that they appear compliant when arrested but become aggressive in the water, a behaviour that should not be ignored.

Adoa urged the LC3 and the Protection Unit committee to hold dialogues with fishermen at every landing site, free of armed officers, to educate them on the consequences of illegal fishing.

She also called on the local government to be transparent and use the local taxes collected from movement permits to develop the areas.

Minister Adoa stated that she will present a report to the cabinet next month on the state of the country’s lakes, as well as recommendations to ensure their safety.

By Robert Edwomu.