Kasese: Congolese influx into Uganda worries authorities

EDWARD MAKANIKA

The fishing community at Kayanja landing site along Lake Edward in Kasese has decried the unending influx of Congolese whom they say are engaged in illegal fishing activities.

The landing site is 8km from the Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council main road, found in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It neighbours DR Congo with major activities being fishing and other small economic activities.

According to Peter Kule, the chairperson LC III, Nyakiyumbu sub county, the Congolese use illegal nets of four inches and 4.5; adding that when they try to arrest them they also revenge.

Kule said that some fisher men were arrested and taken to Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo but due to involvement of the Ugandan ambassador they were released.

Kule made the revelation in a meeting with security officials from Uganda and DR Congo at the landing site.

Sibendire Bigogo Godfrey,  the Kasese LCV chairperson said they are working hard with the ministry of Fisheries to fight illegal fishing.

A number of trans-boundary issues were raised and recommendations made at all levels which include among others; a need to raise awareness on the benefits of regulated fishing.

The head of operation on Lake Edward, Amos Mutatina said the reason why they always impound Tanzanian fish is to ensure Ugandan fish is not affected on the market.

Ronald Rukunya the director of Fisheries at the ministry told The Nile Post that in a bid to intensify the security and end cross border conflicts, government had signed a bilateral agreement with Democratic Republic of Congo specifying the fishing regulatory measures.

Rukunya said there is policy harmonisation on fisheries and that the authority have embarked on a process to demarcate the fish breeding area.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of fisheries under Lake Edward and Albert Fishing project handed over a speed boat to the operation team to help them fight illegal fishing on Ugandan waters.