News

Fishermen from Lwampanga and Ninga Landing sites in Nakasongola District have pledged to work with the UPDF special fisheries protection unit to fight illegal fishing on their lake.

This transpired in meetings between fishermen in the area and the minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja held at Ninga and Lwampanga landing sites yesterday 2nd/10/2017.

Ssempijja visited the District on the invitation of Budyebo County Member of Parliament and minister for public service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa to intervene into the wrangles between UPDF`s special fisheries protection unit and fishermen in the area.

Walusimbi Musisi, the Chairman Ninga Landing site told the minister that fishermen on the two landing sites are ready to corporate with government in fighting illegal fishing, but some UPDF enforcement officers misunderstood their position.

“We are the first beneficiaries on this lake, therefore we need to corporate with government, even if it means buying our own fuel to hunt for the wrong doers, we are ready, we have our own boats we don’t want to wait for the UPDF to buy their boats. What we need is security, we shall hunt for them because we know their areas of operation, and we can even pick them from their homes” Walusimbi said.

The minister guided fishermen from the two landing sites to come-up with a written document to the president in regard to their commitment to work with the UPDF enforcement team. He said the president also acted on numerous calls from fish dealers, and those who frequently stormed his office requesting his intervention to curb illegal fishing on the lake.