Commanders of the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) recently conducted a two – day (30 – 31May) work shop at Rider Hotel in Mukono.
The workshop aimed at addressing and increasing compliance in licensing of fisheries activities.
The workshop therefore designed a participatory licensing strategy that can be implemented to enhance the fisheries output.
It was organized by the Directorate of Fisheries under the agriculture ministry in collaboration with the Germany Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
During the workshop, the state minister for Fisheries called for the need to enforce proper fishing standards, though she later called for leniency when dealing with illegalities on water bodies.
She explained by mentioning that the rising commodity prices have made life difficult and therefore culprits have to be given a fair hearing.
Ms Adoa promised to stream line the fishing sector by enforcing the issuance of licenses to all who benefit from this lucrative sector, notably beginning with those fishing from lakes Victoria and Kyoga.
Speaking at the same function, the GIZ Project leader Adolf Gerstl implored all stakeholders in the fisheries sector to cooperate for its enormous contribution towards economic growth.
He pledged to continue supporting all activities geared towards stream lining of fisheries activities on Uganda’s water bodies.
The acting director for the management of fisheries resources Joyce Ikwaput Nyeko urged commanders to enforce the required fishing standards, and later benefit from this lucrative trade.
Beginning June 10, 2022, it will be very hard to be involved in any fishing activity without an operation license, most especially on Lake Victoria and lake Kyoga.
