By Johnson Kanyesige
The fishing community at different landing sites near Lake Albert will now have a sigh of relief following a resolution to allow them resume fishing under strict guidelines.
The resolutions were arrived at during a stakeholder meeting chaired by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday at the Parliamentary buildings in Kampala.
The fishing community from Bunyoro region was led by the members of parliament Pius Wakabi for Bugahya county and Flora Natumanya Woman representative for Kikuube district who joined the rest across the country to discuss the way forward in regard to a ban on silverfish (Mukene) fishing in different waterbodies.
Speaking to Spice FM after the meeting, Wakabi says they have agreed that the fishing gear known as “Hurry-up” be restricted from being used with the meeting opting for the use “Rwampara” fishing gear.
Wakabi noted that because of the absence of regulations regarding fishing activities, there has been confusion in the management of lakes and other water bodies adding that they have given an ultimatum of one month to the ministry of fisheries to table before parliament these regulations in order to streamline the fishing sector.
Jackson Mugenyi Mulindambura the district councilor for Kiganja sub county who also attended the meeting noted they have asked the fisheries protection unit to stop harassing people at the different water bodies.
He added they also asked the ministry of trade to regulate the entry of fishing gears that do not meet standards and has assured the fishing community to wait patiently for the resumption of their activities which will be officiated by the head of the fisheries protection unit.
