42 arrested as FPU impounds illegal fishing gear on Lake Albert
In the past, President Museveni apologized for deploying the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) on lakes to combat bad fishing practices.
Buliisa: The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) in Buliisa District has been active in impounding illegal fishing gear and arresting suspects involved in illegal fishing practices.
Maj. Frank Kanzira, the head of operations, led the FPU in arresting forty-two suspects and seizing dozens of illegal fishing nets known as “Chota-Chota.”
These arrests occurred after the suspects were found engaging in fishing activities on Uganda’s side of Lake Albert using prohibited gear.
Among the arrested individuals, some were Ugandan fishermen, while others were Congolese fishermen.
The suspects are currently awaiting prosecution.
The Buliisa Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Longino Bahebwa Byagagaire, emphasized the need for compliance with fishing regulations and warned against illegal fishing activities.
Interestingly, this recent operation follows the return of confiscated fishing gear to Congolese fishermen by the UPDF’s Fish Protection Unit and Buliisa District leadership, which had been impounded earlier this year in Lake Albert waters.
President Yoweri Museveni has been actively addressing fishing-related issues in Uganda; recently, he promised to remove the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) from water bodies and hand over the administration of fishing communities to local elders.
According to the president, this move aims to address concerns related to illegal fishing practices and improve community management of fishing activities.
In the past, President Museveni apologized for deploying the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) on lakes to combat bad fishing practices.
He acknowledged that the UPDF, originally trained for warfare, had to intervene when some fishermen engaged in unsustainable practices, such as fishing young fish.
Parliament’s Fisheries Bill and Borrowing for Standard Fishing Gear
Under a new act, Parliament imposed an 8 percent levy on every kilogram of exported fish.
Additionally, there have been appeals for the government to create a special fund for fishermen, allowing them to borrow money to purchase standard fishing gear and avoid using illegal equipment.
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