Fishermen on L. Albert seek govt support to acquire legal gear
Alfred Ongeyi, one of the fishermen, said many fishing communities are unable to purchase approved fishing equipment because of its high cost.
Dr Rosemary Seninde, the NRM director of mobilisation addressing the fishing community of Lake Albert. (Photos by Peter Abaanabasazi)
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Fishermen operating on Lake Albert in Kikuube and Hoima districts have appealed to the government to support them in acquiring approved fishing gear, saying many cannot afford the equipment required under fisheries regulations.
The appeal was made on June 14, 2026, during meetings with NRM Secretariat officials and district party leaders who are campaigning for NRM flag bearer Paddy Kisembo ahead of the Kikuube District LC5 byelection.
The by-election is scheduled for June 18, 2026, following the death of district chairperson Peter Banura in a road crash on April 4, 2026.
Alfred Ongeyi, one of the fishermen, said many fishing communities are unable to purchase approved fishing equipment because of its high cost.
He appealed to the government to provide fishermen with legal fishing gear, arguing that those who receive it would have no reason to continue using illegal equipment.
Emmanuel Bisemeza, the Kyangwali LC3 Chairman addressing the fishermen.
Dismas Babihemaiso, the chairperson of Nsonga B Landing Site, said many households depend entirely on fishing for their livelihoods and have been severely affected by the restrictions.
He said many residents had gone without income for more than a month after being stopped from fishing because they lacked approved gear.
"Acceptable fishing boat cost sh10 million, we cannot manage to buy them, we are requesting government supports us to get acceptable and see if we will go back in the waters with illegal fishing gears, if you cannot give me the net then give me the loan and buy the legal net, instead of pushing us to poverty because this is where we earn our living," he said.
"President Museveni promised to set aside over a billion shillings for each fishing community to support their fishing businesses, like acquiring gear, a cold room to preserve fish, among other facilities," Hon. Seninde said.
She also urged residents to remain vigilant against Ebola, citing the district's proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"Kindly remain vigilant and cautious about the danger of Ebola because we know people from the neighbouring DR Congo sometimes cross to these landing sites. Already, there are some cases that were confirmed in this place,” Seninde warned.
Kisembo pledged to prioritise the concerns of fishing communities if elected district chairperson.
He said his campaign tour of Buhuka parish had highlighted several challenges requiring urgent intervention.
According to Kisembo, inadequate access to clean and safe water, poor sanitation and ineffective waste management remain major concerns affecting communities along the lakeshore.
He pledged to work towards addressing those challenges if elected.
Kisembo also highlighted high school dropout rates, which he attributed to the absence of a government secondary school in the area.
“There is no secondary school in this area. Students move a very long distance to go up in Kyangwali to study, which is very risky,” Kisembo said.
He pledged to lobby for the elevation of Buhuka parish to subcounty status, arguing that this would help attract a government secondary school and improve access to education.
Kikuube resident district commissioner Godwin Angalia assured residents that the concerns affecting fishing communities would be addressed.
He said authorities were currently focused on containing the Ebola outbreak before embarking on the selection of fishing committees to help manage issues affecting fishing communities.