By Frank Kamuntu
Lawmakers have protested the delay in enacting regulations to operationalize the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022, citing chaos and growing anxiety among the fishing community. The delay has led to conflicting directives from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which currently manages security on water bodies.
Susan Mugabi (Buvuma DWR), speaking on behalf of her fellow MPs from fishing communities, expressed concern over the inconsistent directives. She pointed out that in February 2024, Hellen Adoa, Minister of State for Fisheries, banned the use of the Harriup method for catching silverfish, replacing it with the Kyotakyota method without consulting the affected fishermen.
However, last week, UPDF’s Fisheries Protection Unit, under Mercy Tukahirwa, lifted the ban, allowing silverfish to be caught using the previously banned method for a limited window of 2–4 days. “All these directives are short-term fixes to long-standing issues in the fisheries sector,” Mugabi stated.
“We demand to know which laws the minister and the Fisheries Protection Unit are relying on to issue such directives. These inconsistencies are creating chaos within the silverfish and Nile perch fishing communities, and we fear this will escalate.”Mugabi also criticized both Minister Adoa and Tukahirwa for the confusion, stating that their divergent instructions have sparked tensions between silverfish and Nile perch fishermen, with threats of violence emerging.
Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli condemned the government’s lack of commitment to combating illegal fishing, accusing powerful individuals within government structures of benefitting from the trade. Nakimuli remarked, “Uganda appears reluctant to emulate successful anti-illegal fishing efforts from West African nations. It seems that those in power are the ones benefiting from illegal fishing gear imports.”
Moses Kabusu (Kyamuswa County) accused Minister Adoa of creating confusion and then disappearing from the scene. “The minister imposed the silverfish ban and has since gone into hiding. Fishermen are now limited to fishing only twice a week, under military supervision, while being required to cover the UPDF’s fuel costs,” he claimed.
Kabusu suggested this was further evidence of government interference in fishing activities, saying it seemed as though Uganda’s lakes had been “sold” to powerful elites. Mukono South MP Fred Kayondo added to the controversy by protesting the appointment of Mercy Tukahirwa as the commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, citing cultural norms in Buganda that bar women from leading activities on lakes like Victoria.
“There are certain islands where women are not permitted. Appointing a female commander disrespects the cultural practices that have preserved these waters for generations,” Kayondo argued. In November 2023, President Museveni appointed Lt. Col. Tukahirwa as the new commander of the UPDF-led Fisheries Protection Unit, replacing Dick Kaija, who had served since 2020.
Kayondo defended his position, claiming that Tukahirwa’s presence on the islands violated longstanding cultural traditions. “She needs to be educated on the customs of Lake Victoria. It is about respecting the norms that have protected this lake for years,” he said.
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