Uganda: Illegal Nets, Fish Burnt
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New Vision (Kampala)
5 August 2008
Posted to the web 6 August 2008
Alex Bukumunhe
Mukono
Illegal fishing nets and immature fish worth sh800m were burnt on Saturday at Katosi Landing site on Lake Victoria in Kojja subcounty, Mukono district.
This action marked the launch of an operation to curb illegal fishing methods on the lake. The operation covered Koome, Ntenjeru and Bweema islands.
Lawrence Serwanga, the secretary for island developments, said the operation followed clearance by the district that "reasonable force" be used to curb illegal fishing.
"This year alone, we have lost six beach management unit officers, who have been kiiled by fishermen after they confiscated their nets."
He identified one such officer as John Kamulegeya, the chairman of Mpenja fishing camp beach management unit.
According to Serwanga, Kamulegeya was sorrounded by fishermen after confiscating their nets and they beat him to death.
He named Kigaya fishing camp in Najja sub-county and Bulutwe camp in Ngogwe sub-county as the deadly areas.
The district fisheries officer, Deo Mutumba, said some officials conspire with fishermen and abet the use of undersize nets after soliciting bribes from them.
However, many fishermen complained that they could not afford the recommended five-inch nets that cost over sh1m.
The illegal types, which are locally made by the fishermen, go for sh800,000.
Mukono has three sites that handle fish export at Katosi, Senyi and Kiyindi.
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The fisheries department says fish catches have reduced by six tonnes in a period of two years. "The situation is majorly caused by use of small nets."
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