The Buganda Road Magistrates Court directed a fine of shs 700000 shillings or one year prison sentence to 40 Kenyans for dealing in illegal fishing activities.
The accused, all men have been on remand since July 2022, on two counts of possession of prohibited nets contrary to section 28 and 33 of the Fish Act Cap 197 as amended by the fish amendment act of 2011and fishing without license contrary to rule 12(1) (2 )of the fishing rules no.33/2010.
On Thursday, they appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu for the ruling on the case.
The group pleaded guilty to the charges and asked to be pardoned hence the ruling of Shs 700,000 each or a punishment of one year at Kitalya prison.
The suspects last month pleaded guilty to the charges but were not convicted because State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi said he was not ready to read for them the brief facts of the case. They were remanded to Luzira Prison until August 22.
Prosecution states that on July 29th 2022, while on the waters of Lake Victoria in Namayingo District the accused persons were found in possession of prohibited fish nets (mosquito nets).
Prosecution further states that all 40 Kenyans were found fishing in Uganda without license issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer for purposes of sale.
They are all residents of Wanya village at Uhaya Beach.
They are Patrick Ojjambo , Stephen Odiambo , Samson Onyango, Paul Mboya ,Masson Opondo, Michael Otieno , Vincent Wanga ,Rober Okello, William Otieno , Wycliffe Onyango , Zake Obwaka , Dedan Ouma , Thomas Okoth , Benado Ogweno , Richard Omono , Daniel Owor , Kevin Audi , Kennedy Chenge , George Ouma Benard Ocho and Kevin Odwor , Samson Odenga.
Others are Samson Owino, Francis Omondi ,Eston Ogweno , Tom Otieno , Benjamin Duloch , Kervin Ochieng ,James Juma Ragara , Collins Okado , Glen Washington Onyango, Denis Omondi Ojowa , Samson Omondi , Maurice Mulumba, Eric Kalanga Ochieng , Silas Omondi , Sephama Ochieng , Joel Odhiambo , Esau Dimo Opio and Chrisphine Juma Othieno.