Govt lifts mukene fishing ban, sets out conditions
“We are giving an opportunity to those fishing mukene to resume officially today (Tuesday), but there are conditions and guidelines to follow. They were suspended because we were using a method called hurry-up and, therefore, when we are reopening them, that method should not be seen anywhere,” Minister Migadde said.
The mukene dealers are also required not to use more than two kerosene-powered lanterns for each fishing boat/vessel, not more than two baria/boat crew on each fishing vessel, and to restrict fishing to 14 days from when the dark phase of the moon starts for each month. (New Vision/Files)
KAMPALA - The Government has officially lifted a ban on the fishing of silverfish commonly known as mukene, effective today (November 10).
This was revealed by the state minister for fisheries, Robert Migadde, during a press conference at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
“We are giving an opportunity to those fishing mukene to resume officially today (Tuesday), but there are conditions and guidelines to follow. They were suspended because we were using a method called hurry-up and, therefore, when we are reopening them, that method should not be seen anywhere,” he said.
In February 2024, the Government, through the minister for fisheries then, Hellen Adoa, banned the use of lampara nets (modified and operated as hurry-up fishing).
Robert Migadde, the fisheries state minister, speaking during a media briefying on Silver fish (Mukene) regulations and guidelines at the Media Centre in Kampala on November 10th 2026. (Credit: Nicholas Oneal)
“The perception has been that mukene was banned, but mukene has never been banned. It is a specific method of harvesting silverfish, which is called hurry-up, which was harvesting immature Nile perch and tilapia. That was actually banned,” Migadde clarified.
New guideline
However, the minister announced new guidelines to be followed by boat owners and fishers of mukene on all relevant water bodies.
He said each district will submit to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries a list of landing sites where the landing of mukene will take place, adding that only fishers or boat owners who meet the conditions will be permitted to fish mukene.
Robert Migadde (L), the state Minister of Fisheries, chats with Mark Atwebembere, the Principal Fisheries Inspector, as Major Nathan Abaho, the Deputy Marines Commander, and Joseph Bwamika, the Commissioner of Fisheries, look on during a media briefing on Silver fish (Mukene) regulations and guidelines at the Media Centre in Kampala on November 10th 2026. (Credit: Nicholas Oneal)
The additional guidelines include; possession of a mukene fishing licence for years 2026, 2025, 2024 or 2023; fishing vessel/boat with minimum total length of 24 feet; maximum of one chota chota net (scoop net) mounted on a wooden ring of maximum diameter of five feet with a handle, and a scoop net mesh size of not less or smaller than eight millimetres.
However, the guidelines say lampara nets or other panelled appliances will not be permitted.
The mukene dealers are also required not to use more than two kerosene-powered lanterns for each fishing boat/vessel, not more than two baria/boat crew on each fishing vessel, and to restrict fishing to 14 days from when the dark phase of the moon starts for each month.
Other guidelines are: fishing to be done away from water bays, fish breeding areas and other zones less than 2km from the shoreline, and each boat to land with its catch and fishing gear on board.
“Therefore, all intending boat owners and fishers of Mukene are informed to follow those procedures and not to go fishing without licences,” the minister said.