UGANDA – Anita Among, Speaker of Ugandan Parliament, has demanded that the government provide an explanation in Parliament concerning the persistent killings and human rights violations occurring within fishing communities, despite the enactment of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022.
Residents in fishing communities have accused the Army of committing inhumane acts and murders against the fishing community.
She expressed her concerns after being informed about a recent incident in which a UPDF Officer named Moses Niwagira allegedly shot and killed Charles Wanya, a fisherman operating on the shores of Lake Kyoga.
It is important to note that, although the responsibility for maintaining law and order within Ugandan waters is assigned to the Uganda Police, the UPDF has maintained a presence on the lakes.
Anita emphasized the necessity for the government to ensure the enforcement of the law passed in Parliament, as the victims of these crimes are Ugandan citizens who retain the power to vote in future elections.
“These incidents of mistreatment and violence are not isolated to a single island or fishing area. They are occurring in various places, and the government needs to respond appropriately,” said Among.
Uganda boasts numerous significant lakes, positioning it as one of the leading global producers of freshwater fish – during the 2018/19 period, the fishing sector made a substantial contribution of US$703.7 million to the country’s economy, accounting for approximately 1.5% of the GDP.
The primary source of fish is capture fishing, which accounts for 85% to 90% of the total supply and is predominantly sourced from Uganda’s lakes.
The main species caught in these lakes include tilapia, Nile perch, and mukene, with tilapia and Nile perch typically exported to markets outside of Africa, while mukene is traded within the East African Community (EAC) region and consumed domestically.
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