ToBy Spy Uganda
Kampala: Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli has strongly condemned the government’s lack of action against illegal fishing practices, citing the influence of powerful individuals benefiting from the illicit trade.
Nakimuli’s made the remarks on Wednesday during a heated parliamentary session where lawmakers protested the delay in enacting regulations to implement the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022, which has left the fishing community in agony.
Nakimuli expressed frustration at the government’s reluctance to tackle illegal fishing, citing successful models from West African nations that Uganda has failed to adopt.
“Uganda appears reluctant to emulate successful anti-illegal fishing efforts from West African nations. It seems that those in power are the ones benefiting from illegal fishing gear imports.” she said.
She further called upon the government to put in place coherent regulations to protect Uganda’s fisheries and restore order within the sector as well as swift action to prevent further exploitation of the country’s water bodies by influential figures benefiting from illegal fishing operations.
The delay in finalizing regulations has led to conflicting directives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which oversees security on the lakes.
In February 2024, Fisheries State Minister Hellen Adoa banned the use of the Harriup method for catching silverfish, replacing it with the Kyotakyota method. However, last week, the UPDF’s Fisheries Protection Unit, led by Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, temporarily lifted the ban, allowing fishermen to use the Harriup method for a limited period.
Nakimuli’s concerns were backed by Moses Kabusu (Kyamuswa County) who accused Minister Adoa of creating confusion and then disappearing from the scene.
“The minister imposed the silverfish ban and has since gone into hiding. Fishermen are now limited to fishing only twice a week, under military supervision, while being required to cover the UPDF’s fuel costs,” Kabusu said.
Kabusu suggested this was further evidence of government interference in fishing activities, saying it seemed as though Uganda’s lakes had been “sold” to powerful elites.
Mukono South MP Fred Kayondo added to the controversy by protesting the appointment of Mercy Tukahirwa as the commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, citing cultural norms in Buganda that bar women from leading activities on lakes like Victoria.
“There are certain islands where women are not permitted. Appointing a female commander disrespects the cultural practices that have preserved these waters for generations,” Kayondo argued.
In November 2023, President Museveni appointed Lt. Col. Tukahirwa as the new commander of the UPDF-led Fisheries Protection Unit, replacing Dick Kaija, who had served since 2020.
Kayondo defended his position, claiming that Tukahirwa’s presence on the islands violated longstanding cultural traditions. “She needs to be educated on the customs of Lake Victoria. It is about respecting the norms that have protected this lake for years,” he said.
