By Edward Byamukama
The state minister for public service Mary Mugasa has called for a permanent solution to the problems surrounding fishing communities along the Lake Albert as a shared natural resource.
While speaking to security, political and technical officials during the Bunyoro region security meeting held at Hoima Youth Center today, Mugasa expressed concern over persistent challenges being faced by fishing communities ranging from constant attacks from Congolese militias, corruption, lack of alternative sources of income, illegal fishing and exploitation by political actors with selfish interests.
Mugasa asked Uganda Peoples Defense Forces-UPDF to toughen against the insurgents who have turned it a habit to attack and seize fishing communities and their fishing gears like boats, nets, engines and demanding for hefty ransoms.
She said that such militias should not be allowed to terrorize Ugandan communities along the Lake Albert. She has also called for total ban on importation of illegal fishing gears like the condemned nets that are used in illegal fishing.
She has also urged the Fishing Protection Unit-FPU to work closely with local fishing communities in their operations against illegal fishing.
Mugasa revealed that the NRM government under the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is committed to streamlining fishing activities in the country through ensuring that all stakeholders have benefited more especially the local indigenous fishing communities.
Major General Leopold Kyanda who is heading the Bunyoro cluster has re-echoed the need to finding a lasting solution to the problems on Lake Albert. He says that leaders should listen to what local people are saying in regard to mutual benefit from the Lake as a resource.
Several top security officials from UPDF, Police, immigration and ISO were part of today’s engagement. Others include local leaders and technical officers from Hoima, Buliisa, Kagadi and Kikuube districts.
Minister Mugasa will hold community engagement meetings in Kagadi, Hoima, Kikuube and Buliisa along the major landing sites along Lake Albert to interact with fishing communities and getting feedback.
