Buliisa fishers push back against proposed maritime regulations
“We are here to listen to the fishers and ensure their views are well-represented in the final policy,” Kiapi stated.
Buliisa: The Ministry of Works and Transport is intensifying efforts to improve safety and security on Uganda’s lakes through a new set of maritime regulations.
The proposed measures include mandatory licensing of vessels and operators, the establishment of search and rescue centers, training for boat builders and engine operators, and the development of a national maritime transport strategy.
This initiative is part of ongoing stakeholder engagements led by Safe Transport and Survivors Support Uganda (STASSU), a local NGO partnering with the Ministry to promote water transport safety.
A key engagement was held on Wednesday at Butiaba PCU Church in Butiaba Town Council, Buliisa District, where community members gathered to discuss the proposed changes.
Fredrick Kiapi, Project Manager at STASSU under the Water Transport Safety Program, said the consultative meetings are crucial for ensuring that the proposed laws reflect the lived experiences of local fishing communities.
“We are here to listen to the fishers and ensure their views are well-represented in the final policy,” Kiapi stated.
However, the proposal has met stiff resistance from many local fishers, especially regarding the requirement for formal qualifications for engine operators and boat builders.
Fishers from Waaki and Butiaba landing sites, including Isaack Wamara and Anirwoth Ukumu, openly rejected the qualification clause. “There is no need for operators to be educated in order to do their work,” Ukumu argued.
Others, such as Angomoko and Avochi, emphasized the need for the government to genuinely incorporate local perspectives. “We are the ones affected by these policies. Our voices must count,” Angomoko said.
Moses K. Asaba Musa Awera, another vocal participant, highlighted the disconnect between formal qualifications and practical experience. “Most of us are not formally educated but we have been doing this work for years and we already pay for licenses,” he said.
On the other hand, Bosco Okello, Officer in Charge of Police Marine at Butiaba and Albertine Marine Zonal Commander, urged the fishers to view the proposed trainings as an opportunity rather than a burden.
“These skills will improve your safety and reduce accidents on the water,” Okello explained.
The Ministry of Works and Transport is expected to continue these stakeholder consultations in other regions as it works to finalize Uganda’s updated maritime safety framework.
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