Lake Kyoga districts press for more fisheries funds
Ocola said Serere district heavily depends on fishing, yet revenue collected is channelled to the central government with little or no reinvestment at the local level.
Stephen Ocola urged the government to revise the funding formula to better support fishing communities. (File photo)
Martin Opolot
Journalist @New Vision
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The LCV chairperson of Serere district has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to increase funding allocations to districts based on their fishing activity.
Stephen Ocola made the call during a recent stakeholders’ engagement meeting on aquaculture and fisheries regulations aimed at conserving Lake Kyoga and its resources.
He highlighted that many districts bordering the lake are struggling due to insufficient funds to support and improve fishing operations.
Ocola said Serere district heavily depends on fishing, yet revenue collected is channelled to the central government with little or no reinvestment at the local level.
He urged the government to revise the funding formula to better support fishing communities.
In response, Daisy Olyel Achiro, the commissioner for fisheries, acknowledged that revenue from fisheries is paid into the government’s consolidated fund.
She assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Finance would be petitioned to reconsider the funding mechanism.