The Fish Protection Unit (FPU) distributed over 1000kgs of immature fish to residents of Military zone in Makindye division, Kampala city on Wednesday 25th January 2023.
The immature fish was impounded from three various markets including Owino, Busega and Kibuye in Kampala where the Fisheries Protection Unit-FPU has been conducting operations against illegal fishing.
Major Christopher Katembeya, the sector commander of Wakiso and Kampala said that the country is losing a lot in terms of taxes, employment, and foreign exchange income because if this fish was allowed to mature would have been ten times however he added on that they are going to continue fighting such illegal fishing practices until it is reduced to zero.
FPU spokesperson Deo Sentiba noted that they have arrested three suspects and soon will be handled by the courts of law.
Sentiba further more said that as long as the fishermen, traders and vendors continue to carry out illegal fishing, they are also ready to continue with their operations and give out the impounded fish for free.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, illegal fishing involves using less than five-inch fishing nets for Tilapia and less than seven-inch fishing nets for Nile Perch. It also entails using fishing boats that are less than 20 feet long.
It is estimated that Uganda loses about USD 430 million from unregulated fishing every year. To improve regulation and restock the lakes, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the deployment of FPU personnel on the lakes since 2017.
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