Fishing community cry out to Museveni over illegal fishing, call for tight measures

Kampala, (UG):- Ugandan fishermen, traders, and input dealers united under their umbrella – the Association of Fishers and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU) have appealed to President Museveni to introduce tight regulations against those practising illegal fishing methods that have since left the lake empty with no fish.

The Chairperson of the Association, Mr Ssenyonga Kambugu Geoffrey while meeting Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, President Museveni’s Senior Political Advisor (SPA) said as much as other operations against illegal fishing are in place, they (the methods) aren’t effective in curbing those who fish immature fish.

“We appreciate the efforts the government is putting in place to curb bad fishing practices like ‘hurry up’ that catches both young and mature fish, but we want all fishermen to use the Kyoto-Kyoto method which only picks mature fish. By doing this, we shall have a lake with enough fish and we shall be able to keep strong in business,” Mr Ssenyonga said on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, after a courtesy visit to Hajjat Namyalo at ONC offices in Kyambogo.

Mr Ssenyonga also used the chance to express gratitude to Hajjat Namyalo for her relentless empowerment effort which he said continues to eradicate poverty in several households across the country, before endorsing ONC’s #TovaKuMain2026 campaign to see President Museveni back on the ballot in 2026.

“We have come here to officially tell Hajjat Namyalo that we are in full support of her good activities including her poverty eradication and empowerment campaigns and bringing Museveni back on the ballot for the 2026 elections,” Mr Ssenyonga said.

The Fisheries body on the afternoon also donated two bulls to Hajjat Namyalo as a contribution towards the ONC Ramadan Duwa Prayers scheduled for next week on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala.

Mr Ssenyonga further requested her to inform the president that the fishing community is not benefiting from the Parish Development Model (PDM) cash saying this money is too little to boost the well-being of lake users.

“Hajjat Namyalo kindly push our appeal to Museveni, we request that they give us enough money through these government programs. You can’t give UGX 1 million to a fisherman whose boat costs Ugx25m, it won’t have a reasonable benefit to him,” he emphasized.

In response, Hajjat Namyalo promised to let her boss know about all the challenges affecting his Bazzukulu, especially the fishermen and lake users saying that for a long, Museveni’s dream has been ensuring an economically stable country and so can’t stay silent when his people are suffering.

“I am happy first and foremost for coming to support the Office of the National Chairman in its move to prepare a mega event for our Muslim community and Ugandans at large. I am really touched by your pain of no more fish in lakes due to poor fishing methods but these are small matters that will be solved by our Jajja Museveni,” Namyalo stated.

Speaking to the media shortly after receiving the bulls from the fishermen, Hajjat Namyalo thanked President Museveni for permitting the Islamic Banking System in Uganda and for enacting the Islamic Banking law which allows Muslims to take loans with no interest.

She rallied all the Bazzukulu especially Muslims and friends of the Muslim fraternity to come in large numbers next Wednesday at Kololo Grounds to benefit from the donation her office will be giving out that day.

“As you are all aware, on that day we are not just breaking fasting for our brothers and sisters from the Muslim community, we shall be donating food items but also have a moment to share and hear from our chairman Museveni,” Hajjat Namyalo emphasized, adding that well-wishers including Salaam bank have already boosted the preparations.

DailyExpress understands that a wide contingent of relief items such as rice, sugar, beans, posho, soap, and cooking oil among others will be given out that day to the over 20,000 people expected at the event.