RUBIRIZI – Fisherfolk in western Uganda have expressed fears that government plans to regulate fishing practices on several lakes could jeopardize their livelihoods and their ability to continue working.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The concerns were raised during an engagement meeting between the fish farmers and the authorities, held on Tuesday 21st April 2026 at Katunguru Sub-County headquarters in Rubirizi District.
The meeting brought together fish business communities from the Rubirizi, Kasese, and Kitagwenda districts working along the shores of Lakes Edward and George for their livelihoods.
The engagement follows the government’s announcement to reduce the number of fishermen, fishing boats, and illegal nets on all lakes nationwide, with each landing site to be limited to only 33 boats.
Nasekwe Nasila, Chairperson of Fishermen at Kazinga Landing Site, revealed that soldiers tasked with enforcing lake regulations have resorted to taking bribes, allowing illegal fishing while punishing honest boat owners.
He demanded that the government refrain from reducing boats until every fisherman is compensated, suggesting that alternative projects be established to help families support themselves if forced off the lakes.
“Do not touch our boats until every fisherman is compensated. If you chase us off these lakes, you must provide other ways for us to feed our families. We cannot accept soldiers taking bribes from illegal fishermen while punishing honest boat owners,” stated Nasekwe.
The Youth Chairperson, Hon. Mukwaya Sulaiman, warned that reducing the number of boats at the fishing site would destroy jobs, bringing poverty, domestic violence, suicide, crime, drug abuse, and theft.
He explained that many young people depend on fishing money to support their families and pay school fees, and warned that lawlessness might increase and many fishermen might end up in prison for failing to repay boat loans.
The Rubirizi District Councillor, Hon. Katesigwa Stivin, called on the government to reconsider the policy before enforcement, arguing that while the move to protect fish stocks is good, it would hurt fishermen too much.
Presiding over the meeting, Bunyaruguru County MP-elect Hon. Cadet Benjamin Buturo observed that reducing boats will make fishermen lose hope, potentially leading to depression, broken families, and increased poverty.
He noted that many fishermen depend on this work to pay school fees and feed their children, and further stated that he will rally other elected MPs to work together and take their concerns directly to President Museveni.
“Taking away their boats will break their spirits and their families. Many fishermen use this job to feed their children and pay school fees. I will bring other MPs together and we will take these concerns straight to the President,” stated MP Buturo.
Rubirizi, Kasese, and Kitagwenda districts are known for fishing activities, sharing landing sites along Lakes Edward and George and the Kazinga Channel, where communities harvest tilapia and other species.
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