By Johnson Kanyesige
The Deputy Chief of Defence of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Lt General Sam Okiding has camped in Bunyoro to sensitize leaders and communities on the new fishing management reforms as a remedy against illegal fishing activities on Uganda’s waters.
Let Gen Okiding on Wednesday held a stakeholder meeting at the Hoima district headquarters in Kasingo cell bringing together all RDCs, LCV Chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), District Fisheries Officers (DFOs), District Production Officers (DPOs) and other leaders from Bunyoro region before camping in Kaiso Tonya landing site in Kabaale sub county in Hoima district to engage the fishing community.
According to the new fishing management reforms announced by Lt Gen Okiding who is the head of UPDF 155 Marines battalion, only 100 fishermen and 33 boats will be allowed to operate per landing site while fish mongers will be licensed to run their errands in the fish sector.
The new reforms will require formation of committees right from the district level to the landing sites who will be responsible to scrutinize the fishermen to ensure that only verified ones operate on waters on all lakes across the county as the army returns on the lakes to regulate fishing activities. The district fisheries management committee vetted by the security committee will consist of district a production officer, fisheries officer, community development officer among others.
It has also been confirmed all illegal landing sites will be closed while residents living at a distance of 200meters from the buffer zone of lake waters will be evicted to minimize on effects in times of flooding of the lakes.
Godwin Angalia, the RDC Kikuube district says security led by the army will work closely with the fisheries management committees to enforce the reforms and ensure the smooth running of the sector.
Angalia has requested the members of the public to embrace the new reforms and lead the campaign of fighting illegal fishing to ensure the sustainability of the sector.
