The government has been called upon to give special consideration to the fishing community following the launch of an operation to combat illegal fishing on Lake Victoria. The operation, which began on February 25, 2017, has left many families in distress, particularly those residing on Wayase, Hama, and Lolwe islands in Namayingo District. These islands are located at the border of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania on Lake Victoria. The closure of silverfish (mukene) fishing has left many jobless and struggling to make ends meet.
Julia Akenyi and Nabukenya Robenah, women who have lived on Wayase Island for over 20 years, shared their plight. They revealed that since the government initiated the operation on the lake, they lost their spouses, who were the primary breadwinners for their families. This has left them in a dire situation, struggling to provide for their households.
Kato Richard, Kabugo Shafiqi, and Kasach Ramadan, fishermen from Lolwe Gorofa, explained that before the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Marine Unit began enforcing the operation, fish catches were favorable, and they could sustain their livelihoods. However, since the operation started, the number of boats has significantly decreased, making it difficult for them to earn a living. They urged the government to consider their plight, as they can no longer afford to educate their children due to the harassment by UPDF Marine officers.
Similarly, Wakoo Bilari and Saide Calter acknowledged that while the government’s efforts to curb illegal fishing were necessary, the operation has had a negative impact on the fishing community. They pointed out that the closure of silverfish fishing and the introduction of new fishing methods have left many community members suffering. They appealed to the government to improvise and introduce methods that the fishing community can adapt to for their survival.
Muyonga Rajabu, a male councillor representing Lolwe Sub-county at the district level, confirmed the hardships faced by his constituents. He emphasized the challenges fishermen are enduring on the lake and urged the government to provide special consideration for the fishing community to alleviate their suffering.
Malingu Washington, the district fisheries officer in charge of aquaculture, advised fishermen to adopt fish farming as an alternative livelihood. He explained that fish farming could help them educate their children and provide food for their families, especially as the population continues to grow while fish stocks in the lake decline. He encouraged the community to shift from fish hunting to sustainable practices like aquaculture to secure their future.
The fishing community’s plea highlights the need for the government to balance enforcement measures with support for those whose livelihoods depend on the lake. While the fight against illegal fishing is crucial, it is equally important to ensure that the affected communities are not left without means to survive.
