Fisherwomen decry poor working conditions, harassment

___________________

For many women in Uganda’s fishing industry, International Women’s Day was a moment to raise their voices against injustices that have plagued them for years.

Despite their significant contributions to the sector, fisherwomen say they continue to face harsh working conditions, military harassment and economic hardships that threaten their survival.

During a media briefing together with FoodFirst Information and Action Network Uganda (FIAN) on March 8, 2025, at Das Berlina Hotel in Bulenga, the women in fishing communities decried the situation they say the military puts them through which has hindered their economic development.

Agnes Nazziwa, a fisherwoman from Bussi fishing site in Wakiso district, expressed frustration over the continued military presence on Lake Victoria.

"As we mark International Women’s Day, we, the women in the fishing industry, are far from celebratory moods. Instead, we are calling on the Government to address our long-standing concerns,” she said.

Nazziwa urged the Government to withdraw the military from their fishing grounds and instead focus on sensitising fisher communities about sustainable fishing practices.

"As custodians of these waters, we are capable of protecting and conserving them without military intervention,” she argued.

However, she lamented that rather than promoting sustainability, the military presence has led to increased corruption and intimidation.

“The deployment of military personnel has not yielded any positive results; on the contrary, they are now using substandard fishing nets, which defeats the purpose,” Nazziwa added.

She further decried the double standards in the enforcement of fishing regulations.

According to her, while small-scale fisherwomen have been barred from accessing the waters, wealthier individuals who can bribe the authorities continue fishing freely.

“This has exacerbated our struggles and pushed us deeper into poverty,” she said.

Human rights violations, economic disruptions

Teopista Komakech, another fisherwoman from Mukono, echoed Nazziwa's sentiments, emphasizing the human rights abuses they have suffered.

"Our human rights as women in the fishing industry have been grossly violated. Women are the biggest beneficiaries in this sector. If we are violated, it costs us a lot, " Komakech said.

Despite the fisheries state minister clearing them to operate, fisherwomen say the military continues confiscating their boats under the pretext that they are not allowed to fish for silver fish.

“This has left us drowning in debt, as we rely on loans to sustain our businesses. Our children don't go to school. We have been left hanging,” Komakech added.

The women claim that military officers demand bribes of sh1.5m from each fisherwoman to allow them to resume their work, an amount they say they cannot afford.

“Our families, who depend on silver fish for survival, are now struggling to make ends meet. Our children’s education has been disrupted, and our livelihoods are at a standstill.” she added.

Call for gender equality in fisheries

Human rights organizations have stepped in to amplify the women’s voices.

Shafic Kagimu, a programs manager from FIAN, noted that women in remote fishing communities are experiencing the opposite of the empowerment and equality that International Women’s Day seeks to promote.

“Women play a dominant role in the post-harvest sector, engaging in fish drying, smoking, and marketing,” he said.

However, he adds that despite their significant economic contribution, fisher communities, particularly women, continue to grapple with systemic challenges that hinder their progress and economic stability.

Additionally, Vaal Benjamin Namugalula from the Katosi Women Development Trust, called for the promotion of gender equality in fisheries.

She highlighted that while women dominate the post-harvest sector, their contributions are often undervalued.

“These barriers include limited access to resources, gender discrimination, and unfair market systems,” Namagalula said.

Legal reforms

To address these challenges, counsel Johnmary Kimurahebwa, from the Network of Public Interest Lawyers, urged the Government to hasten the implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023.

“The lack of implementation of this Act has rendered many women in the sector at risk of abuse and ultimately disabled them from meaningfully participating in fishing activities on an equal basis with others,” Kimurahebwa said.

The Act, which was passed in 2023, aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and ensure fair access to fisheries resources.

However, its slow implementation has left fisherwomen vulnerable to exploitation.

Background

In September 2024, Lt Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), allowed silver fish dealers to resume fishing activities to raise resources to return children to school and sustain families.

“In our new directives, we stopped silver fish dealers using the Hurry Up method to curb illegal fishing, but these people face poverty, including failing to return their children to school. I allowed them three days on the lake to raise something as we and the ministry plan the way forward,” Tukahirwa said.

Tukahirwa was speaking during a meeting with fishers from different landing sites and islands at Kigungu in Wakiso district.

To curb illegal fishing in Uganda, the Fisheries Protection Unit launched a nationwide initiative to educate fishers at landing sites on good fishing practices and the 2023 fisheries regulations.

The plight of Uganda’s fisher communities, particularly women, is not new. Similar issues have been reported in various fishing zones, including Lake Victoria, where small-scale fisherfolk have long protested against military harassment and economic exclusion.

In 2022, several fishermen in the Kalangala and Buikwe districts accused the military of unfairly seizing their boats and extorting money.

In 2023, women traders dealing in silver fish in Masaka decried market exploitation and gender-based violence, calling for government intervention.