Fisheries sector thriving under UPDF protection — minister Adoa

Fisheries state minister Hellen Adoa has praised the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) for its role in curbing illegal fishing practices and restoring order on the country’s water bodies.

Speaking at a regional consultative workshop on fisheries and aquaculture regulations in Jinja on February 19, 2025, Adoa acknowledged that despite limited personnel, the FPU has made a significant impact since its deployment eight years ago following a presidential directive.

“They suppressed illegal practices like the use of bad fishing gears that are detrimental to the fishing industry. We started realising an increase in the volume of fish caught as well as an improvement in its quality. It was no longer immature fish being caught,” she said.

She noted that the resurgence of large fish stocks led to the reopening of fish processing plants that had previously shut down due to raw material shortages. The number of operational fish factories rose from six in 2015 to over ten after the UPDF assumed control of surveillance on water bodies.

Adoa further emphasised that with strict enforcement of regulations and full implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, the sector—currently Uganda’s second-largest foreign exchange earner after coffee—could become the leading revenue generator.

New regulations

Joseph Bwanika, the commissioner for fisheries regulation and aquaculture, explained that the upcoming regulations are designed to support the implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2023, as required under Section 120 of the law.

“These regulations will help operationalise the Fisheries Act. They enable application of the law,” he said.

Following consultations with stakeholders such as fishers, local leaders, and processors in the eastern region, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) plans to extend discussions to other parts of the country. The collected views will then be compiled into a draft, submitted to the Solicitor General for legal review, and later presented to Cabinet and Parliament for approval.

Key discussion points include licensing fishing boats, designated fishing zones, net sizes and designs, restrictions on net numbers per boat, and approved landing areas. Experts are also addressing fish quality, breeding areas, and penalties for illegal fishing, such as using unauthorised gear or fishing in protected zones.

Stakeholders weigh in 

Hajji Musa Muliika, chairman of MM Fish Processors in Katosi, Mukono district, commended the ministry for engaging grassroots stakeholders before finalising the regulations.

He welcomed the idea of grouping fishermen, arguing that it would help identify and report those violating the rules. However, he expressed concern over the severity of the proposed penalties.

Muliika also urged efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcers and fishermen to foster better cooperation.

Philemon Kudere, chairman of the Association of Fishers and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU) in the eastern region, called for strict measures against influential individuals importing illegal fishing gear, such as monofilament nets.

“The law should not be applied selectively. The rich and powerful import these gears, but surprisingly, a local fisherman who buys and uses them will be caught and fined heavily in addition to being jailed for up to two years,” he noted.

He urged the government to tighten border security to prevent the entry of illegal fishing equipment into the country.