Buliisa fishermen decry harrasment

May 02, 2016

President Yoweri Museveni gave a directive to fisheries officers to stop harassing fishermen until an alternative measures are found

Fishermen in Buliisa district have decried harassment by law enforcement officers who confiscate their fish and fishing gears.

They said the practice has hampered their source of income as they largely depend on fishing in Lake Albert.

"The law enforcement officers confiscate our fishing gears and even fish and yet the President had stopped the officers," Gilbert Bamutraki a fisherman at Wanseko landing site said.

  woman negotiating for fish at anseko landing site in uliisa district hoto by rancis morut A woman negotiating for fish at Wanseko landing site in Buliisa district. Photo by Francis Emorut

 

Vincent Binko, another fisherman, said they lose a lot of money after catching fish but only to be confiscated by law enforcement officers.

He said a fish weighing 2 to 4 kilograms goes at between sh15, 000 and sh30, 000.  

"Where are we going to get money for our children's school fees?" Binko asked.

The fishermen explained that the enforcement officers accuse them of not using recommended fishing gear and catching small fish.

 ish harvested from ake lbert at anseko landing site in uliisa district hoto by rancis morut Fish harvested from Lake Albert at Wanseko landing site in Buliisa district. Photo by Francis Emorut

 

Daisy Asaba, a widow whose livelihood is supplying fish to eateries and the market, said the harassment of fishermen has affected business.

"When customers come to a restaurant and they find that there is no fish they walk away," Asaba said.

Samuel Atungonza appealed to the President to intervene as fishing is their source of livelihood.
 
The fishermen also complained of scarcity of condoms at the landing site to curb HIV/AIDS spread.

  woman after harvesting silver fish from ake lbert at anseko landing site in uliisa district hoto by rancis morut A woman after harvesting silver fish from Lake Albert at Wanseko landing site in Buliisa district. Photo by Francis Emorut

 

On the plight of fishermen the Buliisa LC5 boss Fred Lukumu explained that President Yoweri Museveni gave a directive to fisheries officers to stop harassing fishermen until an alternative measures are found.

"Law enforcement officers were halted from holding an operation until alternative good fishing practices are in place and elders are brought on board," Lukumu said.

 ishermen rowing boats at anseko landing site on ake lbert uliisa district hoto by rancis morut Fishermen rowing boats at Wanseko landing site on Lake Albert, Buliisa district. Photo by Francis Emorut

 

When contacted the Buliisa district Police Commander John Butaagira denied any law enforcement officer harassing fishermen.

He said the President's directive was enforced.

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