A stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa at Parliament has directed the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama to present the regulations operationalizing the recently passed Fisheries and Aquaculture Act within one month.

The meeting also resolved to regulate the smuggling of illegal fishing nets into the country and engage manufacturers to prevent illegal nets from entering the market.

Additionally, a stakeholders’ meeting will be held between the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), Ministry of Agriculture and fishing communities to address disparities in fishing methods.

The “Hurry Up” fishing method has been temporarily banned pending studies to determine the most suitable method for Silver Fish, choosing between Rwampara and Hurry Up methods.

Furthermore, the FPU has been ordered to return prisoners arrested in their jurisdiction to their local areas for trial, rather than being tried elsewhere.

However, the meeting was momentarily disrupted by a disagreement between FPU Commander Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa and fishermen over conflicting presentations on fishing net types and sizes for different lakes.

The Deputy Speaker Tayebwa intervened, urging both sides to “cease fire” and focus on the agreed-upon way forward.

The resolutions aim to address long-standing issues plaguing Uganda’s fishing industry, including illegal fishing practices, harassment by FPU operatives and disputes over fishing methods.

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