52 arrested over illegal fishing in Buliisa

Buliisa: The UPDF Marine Unit has arrested 52 fishermen on Lake Albert in Buliisa District for allegedly using illegal fishing gear and entering Ugandan waters illegally.

Those arrested include 40 Ugandan fishermen and 12 Congolese nationals. They were apprehended on Thursday morning during an operation conducted in Wanseko Town Council.

The operation was led by Lt. Simon Tibaijuka, head of the UPDF Marine Unit, who said the suspects were found in possession of five prohibited boats, illegal monofilament fishing nets and other banned fishing equipment.

Tibaijuka said the suspects will be taken to court to answer charges, including illegal entry for the Congolese nationals, fishing without permits and using prohibited fishing gear.

By press time, the suspects were being taken to Buliisa Central Police Station to record statements.

Leaders of fishermen in Wanseko Town Council commended the UPDF Marine Unit for the operation, saying illegal fishing practices have become common in the area.

Fishermen struggle with new regulations

Fishermen in Buliisa District have reportedly continued using illegal fishing methods following enforcement of a presidential directive banning prohibited fishing gear and artificial lights on Lake Albert.

The situation has also been linked to challenges surrounding the issuance of fishing licences and enforcement of fisheries regulations, leaving some fishermen struggling to adapt to the new requirements.

Speaking to this news portal in June, Seremosi Kamuturaki, Chairperson of the Buliisa District Fisheries Management Committee, said the directive had pushed some fishermen to continue operating illegally.

“The presidential directive against illegal fishing methods has left many fishermen without alternatives. Some have continued fishing illegally using banned gear because government has not yet resumed issuing fishing licenses,” Kamuturaki said.

He said the absence of a licensing process had created uncertainty among fishermen and made enforcement more difficult.

“At the moment, fishermen with legal fishing gear and those without licenses are not being arrested because licensing has not yet resumed. This has created confusion within the fishing communities,” he added.

Kamuturaki said the use of artificial lights during night fishing had significantly reduced, although some fishermen were still engaging in the practice.

“Many fishermen who depended on light fishing have shifted their operations to Kikuube District, but some are still using lights despite the ban,” he said.

He also revealed that fishing activity at landing sites had drastically declined, with the number of operating boats falling from more than 200 at some landing sites to about 30.

“The number of boats operating on the lake has dropped sharply. Previously, some landing sites had more than 200 boats, but now there are only about 30 licensed boats expected to operate, although some fishermen continue to fish illegally,” Kamuturaki explained.

Landing site committees planned

To address illegal fishing, fisheries authorities plan to establish management committees at all landing sites.

The committees will work with law enforcement agencies, including the UPDF, to enforce fisheries regulations and ensure compliance.

According to Kamuturaki, each landing site will be allocated 33 licensed boats permitted to operate on Lake Albert.

He urged fishermen to comply with the regulations and warned against attempting to circumvent government policies through corruption or bribery.

“Fishermen must adapt to the current regulations. Corruption and bribery will not change government policy or eliminate destructive fishing practices that threaten the future of Lake Albert’s fisheries,” he emphasized.

Authorities say the planned measures are intended to promote sustainable fishing, restore order in the fisheries sector and protect fish stocks in Lake Albert.

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