In Summary: More than 60,000 pieces of prohibited fishing equipment have been destroyed at Kayei Landing Site in Apac District as the UPDF intensifies efforts to protect fish stocks in Lake Kyoga. District leaders used the exercise to urge fishing communities to diversify their livelihoods, repay Parish Development Model (PDM) loans and prepare for future government support programmes, including NUSAF IV.
Apac, Uganda — The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has destroyed illegal fishing gear valued at more than Shs1.262 billion at Kayei Landing Site in Akokoro Town Council, Apac District, in a renewed crackdown on destructive fishing practices on Lake Kyoga.
The destruction, conducted on Wednesday, involved more than 60,000 pieces of fishing equipment impounded from fishing communities over allegations that they were using prohibited and undersized nets to catch immature fish.
The operation was led by security personnel under the Lake Kyoga Sector, Apac Sub-sector, as part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect aquatic resources, promote responsible fishing and safeguard the livelihoods of communities dependent on the fishing industry.
Speaking during the exercise, Lake Kyoga Sector, Apac Sub-sector commander Sgt Reverketo Tumwesigye said the security forces had impounded the equipment from fishermen allegedly using it to harvest immature fish.
Tumwesigye said the operation was intended to eliminate destructive fishing equipment from the lake and discourage practices that threaten fish breeding and the long-term sustainability of the industry.
“The fishing gears we have impounded were being used by some members of the fishing communities to catch immature fish. This is a serious threat to the future of our fisheries resources,” Tumwesigye said.
Among the destroyed equipment were seine nets locally known as Kokota, monofilament nets, undersized gillnets, cast nets commonly called Ponyoka, metallic and papyrus basket traps, Tycoons and Oaks, among other prohibited fishing equipment.
The exercise serves as a warning to fishermen who continue to disregard fishing regulations, with security authorities emphasising the need for compliance to prevent the depletion of fish stocks.
RDC urges fishing communities to diversify livelihoods
Meanwhile, Apac Resident District Commissioner Andrew Onyuk urged fishing communities, particularly households around landing sites, to develop alternative sources of income instead of relying entirely on fishing.
Onyuk said dependence on a single economic activity exposes households to financial uncertainty, particularly when fishing is disrupted by enforcement operations, declining fish stocks and other challenges affecting the sector.
He encouraged residents to embrace alternative income-generating activities, including poultry farming, livestock production, piggery and other agricultural enterprises that could provide more reliable household incomes.
“Fishing communities should not put all their hopes in fishing alone. There are several other economic opportunities that people can explore to improve their livelihoods and secure the future of their families,” Onyuk said.
He added that diversifying household incomes could strengthen financial stability, improve food security, create employment opportunities and reduce the vulnerability of families whose livelihoods depend almost entirely on fishing.
The RDC also encouraged residents to take advantage of available government development programmes and invest in viable enterprises that could sustain their families when fishing activities are affected.
PDM defaulters warned over NUSAF IV benefits
In a related development, Apac District LCV Chairman Ambrose Agec warned beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) who have failed to repay their loans against assuming they would automatically benefit from the forthcoming Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV).
Agec said repayment discipline and responsible use of government funds would be important considerations for communities seeking to benefit from future livelihood support programmes.
Addressing members of the fishing community, he urged PDM beneficiaries to fulfil their financial obligations, arguing that failure to repay the funds undermines the objectives of government poverty-reduction initiatives.
“Those who received PDM money and have failed to pay it back should forget about benefiting from the forthcoming NUSAF IV funds,” Agec warned.
He said government development programmes are intended to improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens and that beneficiaries must demonstrate responsibility by properly utilising the funds and meeting their repayment obligations.
Agec also said the government had released Shs1 trillion expected to be channelled to districts across the country under NUSAF IV to support community development, household incomes and livelihoods.
He highlighted labour-intensive activities, livelihood support and a revolving fund among the programme components, saying they were intended to create employment opportunities, support productive investments and improve access to livelihood assistance.
The district chairman urged community members and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the programme components and prepare to take advantage of the opportunities when implementation begins.
Agec maintained that accountability, transparency and responsible management of public resources must remain central to the implementation of government livelihood programmes.
The exercise at Kayei Landing Site brought into focus the twin challenges facing fishing communities in Apac: protecting fisheries resources from destructive practices and developing alternative sources of household income.
While the UPDF operation targets illegal fishing equipment, district leaders say communities must also embrace other economic activities and meet their obligations under government support programmes.
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