By Juma Nsubuga
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), that of Trade Industries and Cooperatives, the Uganda Revenue Authority and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have formed a technical team that will harmonize and coordinate President Museveni’s directive to stop illegal fishing on all water bodies in the country.
The technical team was formed during a high-level engagement between officials from the four agencies to enhance collaboration and harmonization in regulating fishing gear imports, fish and fishery products held at MAAIF headquarters in Entebbe.
The formed technical team will also extend towards controlling imports of the fishing gears and current challenges of imports related to importation of Tirapia in addition strengthening imports of fishing gears, fish and fish products in Uganda.
The Ministry of Agriculture animal industry and fisheries during the heated meeting chaired by Fisheries state minister Robert Migadde Ndugwa, accused the Ministry of trade for issuing open license for importation of fishing gears with out prior authorization from MAAIF contrary to Rule 19 of the fish Rules 2010.
The Ministry of Trade officials led by the State Minister Trade, industry and Cooperatives, General Wilson Mbadi, denied the allegations of issuing open general license since 2025.
“We have an assignment to use our mandate to contribute to the transformation of this country ” Gen Mbadi said adding that he has never signed any license ever since he assumed office.
He said that the Ministry of trade is committed to closely working with MAAIF as far as fighting illegal fishing methods are concerned.
Ministry of trade acting principal commercial officer, Atwine Emmanuel who represented the permanent secretary said that this harmonization and co-operation will strengthen in the fight against importation of illegal fishing gears.
UNBS acting manager imports Inspections, Bridget Atuhaire said the formed technical team will ensure that the collaboration is seamless and also make sure both imported and exported fish is of good quality and safe for Ugandan population.
Meanwhile, Minister Migadde Ndugwa applauded the Ministry of trade, URA and UNBS for allowing the invitation for harmonization in regulating fishing gear imports, fish and fishery products meeting.
“Whatever we have agreed on, we are going to document it as a harmonized single working document for all the four sectors involved” he said.
