Lt. Deo Kato says they resolved to close the landing site because some fishermen were still sneaking into the water during night hours in violation of the nationwide curfew.
Lt. Deo Kato, the Commandment
of the UPDF Marine Unit on Kazinga Channel has closed Katunguru fish landing
site citing failure to implement covid19 preventive guidelines.
Kazinga Channel connects
Lakes Edward and George. Lt. Deo Kato says they resolved to close the landing
site because some fishermen were still sneaking into the waters during night
hours in violation of the nationwide curfew.
Apparently, fishing
has been taking place between 7am and 5pm. Lt. Kato however, says fishermen
have been bribing soldiers to abuse the lock-down guidelines.
//Cue in: “The land site has…
Cue out: Bribing of soldiers."//
Geoffrey Magunda, the Chairperson Kazinga Channel Fishermen Association down
plays allegations of bribery, saying they have only been mobilising money from
fishermen to purchase fuel for the corona virus sensitisation drive.
“The money we collect
is for buying fuel for corona virus sensitisation not bribery and the closure
of the site means we are going to starve,” Magunda said.
He says the closure of
the landing site will directly affect over 2000 people who have been depending
on it for survival.
Harriet Kobusinge, a boat owner says with the already
poor fish market, the closure of the landing site means they will be left with
no option for survival.
//Cue in: “Ebwenyanja tibikina beeyi…
Cue out: … enkumi isatu, enkumi ina.”//
Lt. Kato says they will investigate all the allegations before reopening the
landing site.
