State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, convened a meeting with a consortium of fisheries stakeholders represented by the Federation of Fisheries Organizations Uganda (FFOU) to tackle challenges within the fisheries sector.
The gathering centered on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act of 2022, addressing concerns raised by stakeholders regarding licensed fishing methods and legal fishing practices.
Fishermen raised allegations against the minister, citing purported unlawful directives announced during a national address at the Uganda Media Centre on February 13. These directives allegedly stemmed from a consultative meeting between the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) and the Association of Fishers and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU).
Following a complaint on February 15, the fisheries organization urged the minister to promptly convene a meeting to address the queries surrounding the purported directives.
Allegations included an immediate ban on all methods of fishing for silverfish, colloquially known as “mukene,” except for the scoop net method, a prohibition on fishing for mukene in deep waters, and a ban on boats. The directive also restricted mukene fishing to certain lunar phases.
Elly Wasajja Mulangila, the vice president of FFOU, expressed initial concerns about the minister’s apparent bias and lack of consultation with key stakeholders. He stated their readiness to pursue legal action if the minister had not intervened.
During the stakeholders meeting, Minister Adoa refuted the accusations, clarifying that no new laws were enacted. She emphasized the importance of adhering to existing regulations, including using appropriate gear, fishing in designated areas, and observing timing for fishing activities.
Adoa cautioned fish dealers to adopt proper fishing methods to enhance the sector’s sustainability.
Section 32(5) of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022 mandates the prohibition of fisheries and aquaculture activities without proper licensing.
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