Fishing boats capped at 33 per landing site as Kasese RDC urges compliance

KASESE - Fishermen and boat owners in Kasese have been urged to comply with new fishing regulations and form partnerships to sustain their livelihoods as the government begins enforcing a cap on boats at landing sites.

Lt Joe Walusimbi, the Kasese resident district commissioner (RDC), issued the call on April 26, 2026, while commencing implementation of the directive at landing sites including Kahendero, Hamkungu, Kasenyi, Katunguru, Katwe and Kayanzi on lakes George and Edward, respectively.

Lt Walusimbi explained that President Yoweri Museveni, through the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, had directed that only 33 licensed boats per landing site be allowed to operate, as part of efforts to curb illegal fishing and overexploitation of water bodies.

"Secondly, at least a three-member crew will be permitted to engage in fishing, and we call upon you to adhere to the directive to avoid facing the consequences," Walusimbi said.

He added that the directive also calls for the establishment of fisheries management committees from the district to the landing site level to oversee fishing activities.

The committees replace the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit, which was recently withdrawn from the lakes.

"In the meantime, I can only advise boat owners to consider forming a memorandum of understanding and form partnerships of 3-4 traders in order to continue surviving amidst the directive," he said.

"In the meantime, I can only advise boat owners to consider forming a memorandum of understanding and form partnerships of 3-4 traders in order to continue surviving amidst the directive," he said.

"Secondly, at least a three-member crew will be permitted to engage in fishing, and we call upon you to adhere to the directive to avoid facing the consequences," Walusimbi said. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

Local leaders speak out

John Bosco Kananura, the Katwe-Kabatooro town council LC3 chairperson, partly welcomed the directive, stating that it would help rejuvenate the lake through increased fish production, provided enforcement teams refrain from tolerating corruption and other ill practices.

Kananura was, however, sceptical about a possible increase in criminality that may arise from displaced fishermen who were benefiting from boats that are yet to be grounded.

"Because those people entirely depend on fishing as their only source of livelihood," Kananura said.

Peter Sunday Kakule, the Nyakiyumbu subcounty chairperson, said that if properly implemented, the directive would increase local revenue for his administrative unit through improved fish production.

The Nyakiyumbu subcounty leader also emphasised the need to address cross-border encroachment on Uganda’s waters by neighbouring Congolese fishermen.

Earlier, Lt Walusimbi had assured fishermen and boat owners of continued engagements with the Democratic Republic of Congo to find a lasting solution to cross-border water conflicts.