Floods have submerged Kaiso
fish handling Facility at Kaiso landing site on Lake Albert shores in Buseruka Sub
County in Hoima district. Kaiso fish handling Facility was constructed
by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in 2012 at the cost
of Shillings 800million with funding from Icelandic International Development
Agency (ICEIDA).
It was aimed at boosting proper fish handling by fishermen,
improve the quality and standards of fish processed and sold to other parts of
the country. The facility comprises a store for fish, inspection
facilities, open shade for parking bags of silver fish, drying rack for
processing silver fish and water borne toilet.
During the Ebola
outbreak in the DR Congo, the facility was used as a screening center for
people crossing into the country. It is also currently used as a screening
Center for COVID-19.
However, the fish handling facility was
submerged by floods early this week owing to the rising water in Lake Albert
grounding all activities to a halt. Fred Mujuni, the Chairperson Kaiso
Fishing Community, says the flooding of the facility is a big setback to
fishermen.
//Cue in: “The disaster has…
Cue out:… have a threat.”//
Betty Bagadira, a fish monger says the flooding of the
facility will comprise the quality of fish processed by fishermen since they no
longer have any other place to preserve their fish.
Runyoro Audio.
//cue in:”Hati na nyowe…
Cue out:…MulingoTura kikora.”//
Joseph Balikenda also a fisherman says the sanitation at the
facility has totally deteriorated after because the only public toilet there is
equally affected.
Runyoro Audio.
//cue in:”Amaizi ganu ga…
Cue out:…Eculeire teku tubazaho.”//
Geoffrey Kumakech, the Hoima district Production and Natural
Resources Secretary calls upon government to immediately intervene, saying the
facility has been important to over 12,000 people at Kaiso fishing village.
John Owonda, another fisherman, says the destruction caused
on the fish handling facility by floods is regrettable since it will greatly
affect the standard and quality of fish.
Alur Audio.
//cue in:”Peko Utie le…
Cue out:…copo mondon iiye.”//
Henry Irumba, the Kaiso LC 1 Chairperson says the facility
was also working as a market for fish mongers from different parts of the
country.
Runyoro Byte.
//cue in:”Ebintu ebyo ko…
Cue out:…Etu wombekere ekindi.”//
James Mwesigwa, the Hoima District Fisheries Officer-DFO,
says it is a big loss to both the fishing community and the district.
He says
the situation will affect the quality and safety of fish being processed and
transported to markets in various parts of the country for consumption.
