Jinja fishing communities want soft loans for fishing gear

By Doreen Musingo

JINJA - Jinja city-based fishing communities from the islands of Kiisma 1, Kiisma II and Lwabitooke have asked the Government to support them with soft loans to purchase the recommended fishing gear.

The fishing communities say, that as affirmative action through organised groups, they can get the loans.

Area female councillor Agnes Auma, who spoke on behalf of the fishing communities, said a few have benefitted from the various government programmes like the Parish Development Model  (PDM) and Emyooga, thus the need for affirmative action with soft loans.

"Once government affirms a special programme for us the fishing communities, we can be able to get the loans and put them to proper use and stop using illegal gear. They should prepare us like the way they did the Karimojongs during the disarmament exercise," she said.

The fishing communities asked for affirmative action over the loans on February 27, 2025, after an operation where 15 people arrested over possessing illegal fishing on the islands were pardoned.

The operation, which was led by the Jinja, Mayuge fisheries protection sectorial commander Stephen Taremwa, started at about 4:00am on Thursday with the support of chairpersons and the Association of Fisheries and Lake Users (AFALU) leaders.

Some of the illegalities impounded and immature fish. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)

Taremwa said during the operation, items worth shillings 200 million, including 78 small boats, 2,500 pieces of monofilament nets,15 cast nets were impounded and destroyed.

Others were 35kg of immature fresh Nile perch, 50kgs immature fresh Nile Tilapia fish, 20kgs of immature smoked fish and 15 suspects who were pardoned.

The fish was given to the surrounding communities while wood from the destroyed boats was given to Kiisma 1 Primary School.

"We have pardoned these suspects because they are all just being used by boat owners and once they learnt of our operations, they ran off and hid in Kiisma 1 Health Centre while others hid in the nearby forest. This is not going to stop our operations, we are going to camp in the area until the islands are clean," Taremwa said.

Taremwa noted that he is going to deploy some of his staff from both Mayuge and Jinja who will full-time camp on the islands to fight illegal fishing.

All the suspects who were released and pardoned in the presence of Jinja Deputy Resident City Commissioner Martin Kasonzi and Agnes Auma the area councillor and all local leaders were warned by Taremwa to desist from being used and instead form small groups that can be supported through the affirmative action.

Kasonzi said once the fishermen are organised, the Government will not fail to support them. He explained that it's through those dreams that they will be able to stop using illegal gear.

"You should stop lamenting but rather, be mindful of the leaders you vote into power because they should be able to lobby and advocate for what you feel is the right way to fight illegal fishing coupled with poverty. You should work to earn a living for future sustainability and not only the mouth," he said.

Use alternative programmes

Kasonzi, who pleaded for the suspect's pardon, however, said he will also closely monitor people from the islands who got the PDM funds to ensure value for money.

He urged the fishermen support their wives through their saving groups to also apply the loans under the GROW scheme explaining that these are government programmes aimed at improving the incomes of low earners.

"Once women get these loans they are better planners and managers of homes. A lot will be improved which will reduce to burden of illegal gear," he said.

AFALU chairperson in the islands Saad Kaweesi urged the fishing communities to co-operate with the officers fighting illegal fishing.