By Juma Nsubuga
State Minister Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa together with MAAIF officials have traversed landing sites in the districts of Masaka and Kyotera with the aim of promoting proper fishing and Aquaculture.
Among the visited landing sites include Ddimo landing site at Buliiro village,Kyesiiga Sub-county in Masaka district and Kasensero landing site in Kasensero town council in Kyotera district.
During the interaction with the fishers, fishers especially women reported financial difficulties they go through ever since government put a ban on silver fish fishing.
The fishers however, conceded that they were practicing bad fishing methods and agreed to follow the new regulations introduced by government as far as fishing is concerned especially the silver fish fishers.
The fishers appealed to government through MAAIF to lift the ban for their survival.
Masaka district woman MP Joan Namutaawe (NUP) urged the government to speed up the lifting the ban in fishing communities.
Namutaawe said that fishermen started migrating from fishing communities to other areas for survival.
“I urge government to help and speed up lifting the ban especially for the women who specialized in silver fish ” she said
Kyotera district woman MP Fortunate Nantongo, questioned why Uganda government stopped silver fish fishers from fishing yet Tanzanians are allowed to enter Uganda waters and fish silver fish.
“The situation is difficult here in Kasensero. We urge government to lift the ban on silver fish fishers to enable them enjoy the lake” Nantongo said
In response to the public out cry especially in fishing communities, minister Migadde requested for more time to enable him brief the cabinet about the new fishing regulations before the ban is lifted next month.
“The ban shall be lifted after briefing cabinet about the new fishing regulations. We assume that if we are given space on cabinet orderpaper this month, next month silver fish fishers will resume work “. He confirmed
The minister further called upon the public especially the fishing communities to join hands and fight the bad fishing methods and gears to restore the pride of the lake.
