KAMPALA – The livelihood of the residents of Buvuma Island is on the line because of the army’s restrictions on fishing activities, the area legislator has told Parliament.
Hon. Robert Migadde said that every year between March and July, Buvuma Island gets only one fish species locally known as “Kikolongo” which appears physically small even when it has matured.
As a result of the deceitful looks, Migadde says, the restrictions by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit on fishing on the island are misinformed and called for urgent government intervention as the community relies majorly on fishing.
“This type of fish looks stunted but it is mature. It has been scientifically proven that this is how big it can go,” Migadde told the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 16 March 2021 chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
The State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Fisheries), Hon. Hellen Adoa reiterated that government was concerned about allowing the fishing of the “Kikolongo” as this would give opportunity to unscrupulous persons to over fish other species.
“Unfortunately, if we use the smaller size of nets to catch that fish species, it will affect the small immature Nile Perch,” said Adoa.
She advised that the Bill on fisheries which has been tabled before Parliament addresses such issues that are not catered for in the existing law. Adoa pledged to visit Buvuma Island in two weeks and report back to Parliament.
