The State Minister for Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, has issued a stern warning to users, importers, suppliers, and distributors of illegal fishing gear, urging them to immediately cease the practice and embrace sustainable fishing methods.
“Government has conducted extensive sensitisation campaigns across fishing communities, yet some individuals continue to ignore the regulations. We encourage all fishers to use our water bodies sustainably to safeguard the future of the sector,” he said.
Hon. Migadde, made the remarks while officiating over the burning of illegal fishing gear worth approximately UGX 400 million, as part of intensified efforts to protect Uganda’s fisheries resources, at Kasenyi Landing Site in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District on Wednesday.
Min Migadde further called on fishing communities to report individuals engaged in illegal fishing activities and cautioned that continued non-compliance could prompt stricter government measures, including restrictions on the importation of fishing gear.
The Commander of the 155 Marine Battalion, Maj. Joseph Ssebukera, urged fishing communities to support the enforcement of fisheries regulations, emphasizing that sustainable fisheries management is essential for preserving livelihoods and protecting Uganda’s aquatic resources.
The Wakiso District Fisheries Management Committee Chairperson, Mr Edrisah Matovu, called on the minister to rescue a number of gazetted landing sites in the districts, which were allegedly taken over by unscrupulous businessmen.
“It’s sad that these fishermen no longer have where to land, like at Gerenge landing site, Koko landing site and Kigungu landing site’s among others they left them a small area where only the wooden vessels park, but the fisher’s boats don’t have a landing or parking area” he said.
Mr Matovu urged for the reassessing the 200 meter buffer zone at the lake shores to ensure that the fishers get where to park their boats.
The operation, which saw the destruction of confiscated monofilament fishing nets and other illegal fishing gear before thousands of fishers and community members, was witnessed by senior officials from MAAIF’s Fisheries Department and judicial representatives, including Entebbe Grade One Magistrate Lillian Mazimwe, who represented the Chief Magistrate.
