Police in Bukomansimbi are actively searching for two individuals impersonating officers from the Fisheries Marine Protection Unit. These fraudsters have been deceiving locals, particularly fish sellers in Buddu County, by accusing them of violating fishing regulations and demanding bribes to avoid arrest.
Joyce Birabwa, a fish seller in Bukomansimbi, recounted her encounter with the impostors. She explained that they visited her home, accusing her of using illegal fishing nets despite her only involvement being the sale of fish.
“I told them I did not have fishing nets because all I do is sell fish, but they refused to listen and threatened to arrest me,” Birabwa said.
Birabwa further explained that she presented her permits from the Office of the District Fisheries, which authorize her to purchase fish from other landing sites, but the fraudsters ignored her documentation. They proceeded to confiscate all her fish and a sum of UGX 600,000.
Additionally, Birabwa mentioned that the culprits continue to threaten her livelihood, insisting that she comply with their demands to avoid further issues.
“These two culprits are forcing me to sell my small piece of land so that I can give them money every month if I want to continue selling fish. However, I am conflicted because I am not ready to sell my land,” Birabwa revealed.
Fred Pax Kalema, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, stated that preliminary investigations suggest that individuals from the Office of the District Fisheries are behind the scam targeting fish sellers in Buddu.
“This is incredibly unfair and unjust, as they are the ones issuing permits to the fish sellers to buy and sell fish from other landing sites,” Kalema said.
“We will not disclose the names of these culprits at this stage to avoid compromising the investigation. However, once they are apprehended, all details will be made public,” Kalema added.
In response, the Office of the District Fisheries in Bukomansimbi has denied any involvement with the culprits and claims no knowledge of their activities
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