KIKUUBE, UGANDA: The FPU in Bunyoro region have released 25 fishing engines to their owners out of the 60 engines impounded during their operations on various landing sites on Lake Albert since August this year.
The engines were impounded on various landing sites on Lake Albert in Bunyoro region in their campaign that aimed at curbing the poor fishing methods on the Lake.
The campaign targeted unauthorized boats, nets, and other fishing methods which were not matching with the standards set by the FPU.
The arrested engines were found on unauthorized boats of some fishermen on Lake Albert which led to their arrest by the FPU officers.
Maj. Richard Mafaabi the commander chief of the FPU and the head of FPU operations on Lake Albert says that their decision to give back these engines to their owners was made after the owners swore not to use illegal fishing methods again.
“We have given back 25 engines to their respective owners after confirming to us that they will never use illegal fishing methods again”. Said Maj. Mafaabi.
Meanwhile, Yosam Tumwebaze the Hoima Resident District Commissioner says the Hoima district security committee decided to pardon some of the fishermen and later return back their engines after their families failing to raise their daily food.
“The engines were returned to their owners after thorough verification of the documents of their owners”. Tumwebaze said.
John Irumba a fisherman at Bugoma Landing site in Kikuube District says he is going to return to fishing activity after a return of his engine by the FPU officers.
“Am thanking the FPU officers for returning my engine which had been impounded for the past two months, I was unemployed during this time but after the return of my engine, am now going to start fishing since it’s my main economic activity”. Irumba said.
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