Speaking about the recent operation, Maj. Frank Kanzira, the FPU Operations Officer, noted that over five months, the unit impounded illegal fishing gear worth over UGX 2 billion across major fishing areas in the country.
The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), a marine section of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), has destroyed illegal fishing gear valued at over UGX 1 billion at the Kanara landing site on Lake Albert in Ntoroko District. The items included monofilament nets, undersized grill nets, beach seine nets, undersized hooks, and illegal boats among others.
The FPU was established by President Yoweri Museveni in 2017 to combat illegal fishing activities on Ugandan water bodies. Speaking about the recent operation, Maj. Frank Kanzira, the FPU Operations Officer, noted that over five months, the unit impounded illegal fishing gear worth over UGX 2 billion across major fishing areas in the country.
Kanzira emphasized the dangers of using monofilament nets, stating that they scoop up immature fish, harm various species, and take a long time to decompose when dumped in the lake. "The action to burn the gear was to send a signal to those still involved in using illegal tools to vacate the water bodies," he said.
The sector commanders for Ntoroko and Kagadi, Lt. Musa Shaban, shared that the FPU is conducting sensitization programs to discourage the use of illegal fishing gear. He also urged fishermen on Lake Albert to prioritize safety by acquiring life jackets.
//Cue in: "Whenever we...
Cue out: ...as the law requires."//
Community leaders, including Ntoroko Town Council LC3 Chairperson Friday Mugisa and District Fisheries Officer George Businge, have called for maximum cooperation with the FPU to support the growth of the sector. They believe that working together will foster sustainable fishing practices and benefit the community.
However, Birungi Said, the LC1 Chairperson of Kanara A cell, appealed to the government to provide support for fishermen to acquire standard, legal fishing equipment. He noted that the cost of these gadgets is often unaffordable for young people entering the fishing business. "We are ready to cooperate with the FPU to end illegal fishing activities, but the government needs to aid fishermen in acquiring the necessary tools," he stated.
Basaija is a graduate of Uganda Christian University (UCU-Mukono) holding a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication.
He is a currently pursuing a fellowship in Gender Communications at Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications Nairobi, Kenya and expected to graduate in 2025.
He also boosts of numerous training's in the journalism arena.
Before joining URN, he had served as documentation support personnel, radio presenter and a news editor.
