“A big boat together with the engine costs about Shillings 3.5 million and most of the fishermen who cannot afford such continue to use small boats well aware that, their lives are at risk more so during this rainy season,” he said.
Two
fishermen from Mpanga landing site in Buhemba Sub County in Namayingo district
have drowned in Lake Victoria. The two have been identified as David Mwayi and
Twaha Mpango. The two are said to have drowned on Monday night when heavy rains
washed away the small boat they were sailing onboard.
Diana
Nandawula, the Busoga East Police Spokesperson, says that a team of officers
from the Police Marine Unit is working together with volunteer fishermen to
find the deceased’s bodies. James Nsadha, a fisherman blames the incident on
the failure by fishermen to use safety gears while on the lake.
“A big boat together
with the engine costs about Shillings 3.5 million and most of the fishermen who
cannot afford such continue to use small boats well aware that, their lives are
at risk more so during this rainy season,” he said.
He asks the responsible
government agencies to provide low-interest loans to bailout struggling
fishermen as a measure of curbing water-related accidents.
Namayingo Deputy Resident District Commissioner,
Jonah Mbigiti says that they are carrying out sensitization drives aimed at
enlightening fishermen on the relevance of adhering to the safety measures
while operating on water.
“Our teams are on the ground with an aim of encouraging
fishermen to purchase acceptable fishing gear like lifejackets, sizable boats,
engines and quality nets, as such items ensure their constant safety while on
water,” he says.
