By Juma Nsubuga
State Minister Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa together with officials from the Department of Fisheries at the Ministry for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has engaged legislators from districts around water bodies on regulatory reforms and strategic measures to enhance fish stocks.
The consultative engagement was held at Kajansi Aquaculture research and development centre in Wakiso district.
MAAIF summoned MPs from fishing communities to go through the new fisheries and Aquaculture regulations which are about to be tabled before the Cabinet for approval.
The new regulations aim at strengthening fisheries management, rebuilding fish stocks and promoting sustainable harvesting.
The MPs from fishing communities applauded MAAIF for the introduction of the new regulations which they said were long overdue.
Kyotera district woman MP Fortunate Nantongo revealed that, the country especially the fishing communities have been demanding for fishing and Aquaculture regulations to enforce the fisheries Act which was passed by parliament in 2023.
“We are glad that we have been summoned for this engagement to ensure that the new fishing and Aquaculture regulations are put in place since we have many concerns about the fisheries sector affecting the fish mongers and people sorounding fishing sites” she said
During the meeting, MP Nantongo accused enforcement personnel (army) charged with protecting the lake for allegedly causing rampant killings in Kasensero where she represents.
“My voters especially those living arounding the lake lose lives on a weekly basis which is caused by the security trying to implement forceful enforcement” she said adding that the coming up of the new regulations will enforce the removal of the army from the lake for people to practice fishing in peace ”
Mukono district woman MP, Sheila Amaniyo urged government to strictly inform the public the exact date and month the fish and Aquaculture regulations will be enforced.
“My district covers water bodies. Nowadays they are jobless ever since their economic activity of fishing was stopped by government. We therefore demand government through the Minister of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries to tell the public when the regulations will be enforced ” she added.
Kyamuswa county MP in Kalangala district Carol Birungi thanked government for considering the issue of fishermen but appealed to the government to speed up the issue of Silver fish (Mukene)since majority of people living in fishing communities depend of Silver fish.
“I urge my government to prioritize the issue of Silver fish (Mukene) as soon as possible because the most activity on the lake by fishermen is Mukene” she urged.
In response to the raised concerns from MPs, Minister Migadde explained the importance of today’s engagement, noting that MPs who are the representatives of the people have regular interactions with their people.
“To actualize the law, we must pass the regulations. We invited them for this engagement since they are part and partial of this entire process” Migadde said.
He said the regulations are ready and only awaiting placement onto the cabinet order paper for approval.
