Sh10,000 fine for man with 2,000kg of immature fish

Patson Baraire & Ambrose Niwagaba

A court in Kanungu district has fined a man sh10,000 after he was arrested with two tonnes  (2,000kg) of immature fish.

Berinda Muhumuza was intercepted by police, thanks to intelligence reports, and was found with a truck laden with the fish destined for eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He was arrested immediately.
 

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Some of the sacks containing the immature fish that was impounded. (Photo credit: Patson Baraire)

Kigezi region fisheries law enforcement officer, Ismael Katwesigye said he was tipped-off that a truck (UAT 081K) from Ntoroko district was carrying immature fish and was on its way to neighboring DRC.

That crucial information later led to the vehicle being impounded at Ishasha border post in western Uganda on Tuesday this week.

The owner of the fish was taken into police custody, due to be produced in court, after it was found that 94% of the seized fish – worth sh14m – was immature.

“We established that most of the fish on the truck was immature and we impounded the truck and arrested the owner,” he said.

When Muhumuza was produced in court the following day, he right away pleaded guilty to the offence and the magistrate sentenced him to a sh10,000 fine or seven hours of imprisonment, saying that he did not waste court’s time.

The Magistrate also ordered that the impounded fish should be disposed of by selling it immediately.

Muhumuza paid the fine and was released with a strong warning never to deal in immature fish again.

On his part, fisheries officer Katwesigye warned fish traders to stop dealing in immature fish because the practice was depleting the fish stock in Ugandan lakes, warning it will adversely impact on the fish industry in the country.

He said an operation to crack down on fish traders dealing in immature fish will continue until authorities are sure that no immature fish is on the market.