Kampala, (UG):- President Museveni’s Office of the National Chairman today, Thursday met and interacted with the members of the Empuuta (Nile Pearch) Conservation and Stakeholders Association (ECOSA) for a strategic meeting on how to mitigate ways or solutions to improve and standardize Empuuta fishing across the country.
The meeting which took place at Akamwesi shopping mall was led by the ONC Coordinator for Fisheries Mr Matovu Isma Mr Kambugu Godfrey Ssenyonga, the Chairman of the Association of Fisheries and Lake Users Uganda (AFALU).
While addressing the meeting, Mr Kambugu reminded the leaders of ECOSA about the laws and guidelines governing the fishing industry in Uganda (Fishing Guide). He took them through the guidelines to refresh their minds. He made mention of the types of boats permitted to operate on the different lakes such as Lake Victoria, Albert and Kyoga.
According to Mr Kambugu, the fishing nets allowed on the lakes are 7 inches and above, and urged the members that; “Before calling out the army for the tough measures being enforced across the lakes, are observing the minimum set standards in the fishing guide.”
The ONC National Coordinator Fisheries Mr Matovu called for unity among the different associations or groups in the fishing industry.
He also assured the Members of the association that he has already written to HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through Head ONC SPA Hajjat Namyalo Hadijah Uzeiye requesting a meeting with stakeholders in the fishing industry, a request he believes will be granted at an appropriate time considering the busy schedule of the President.
The Chairman of ECOSA thanked the Chairperson AFALU and ONC Coordinator Fisheries Mr Matovu Isma for their dedication towards bettering the fishing industry. He said the major objective for forming ECOSA was to bring together experienced and passionate multi-industry stakeholders to brainstorm and rejuvenate a seemingly dwindling Mpuuta business.
The members of the association requested the ONC Coordinator Fisheries to inform Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye of the dissatisfaction they have with the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) which has become a hub of extortion and corruption.
“We were happy when the army was deployed on the lake, we had much hope thinking they had indeed come to restore sanity. They have instead resorted to all manners of extortion,” the fishermen said as they requested Hajjat Namyalo Hadijah Uzeiye to take their plea to the President.
Mr Lutaro Kassim Luwalira asked that the Office of the National Chairman-NRM reign on Mr Mukasa Alex the former Coordinator Fisheries who they claim is one the many people terrorizing lake users, in doing so, he soils the image of ONC an office he claims to be attached to the Kyambogo office.
To this effect, Mr Matovu cleared the air and said that Mr Mukasa is no longer the Coordinator Fisheries a position that is currently occupied by himself.
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