Government to construct regional marine training centre

Government of Uganda has embarked on plans to construct a regional marine training centre at the Fisheries Training Institute (FTI) at Bugonga, Entebbe municipality.

The centre which will be aimed at safety and rescue programmes, will see enrollment for students from across the East African region.

This was revealed by Gertrude Abalo, the principal for the Fisheries Training Institute while commemorating 50years since the institute was started in 1968.

According to Abalo, some components of the FTI fall under the Ministry of Transport and Works while other components fall under Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

"The two ministries lately signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a regional training centre which will help to improve on training of human resource in the fisheries sector," noted Abalo.

Students at the Fisheries Training Institute% cleaning Entebbe General Hospital in commemoration of 50years. Photo by Julius Luwemba 

She however did not disclose the amount of money the whole project will cost, saying, she could not comment on behalf of both ministries.

Celebration of the golden jubilee was launched on September 28, with matching from the FTI at Bugonga, through the streets of Entebbe town up to Entebbe General Hospital where students and the alumni engaged in cleaning the hospital.

Among other activities were; cleaning and sensitising the fishing community at Kigungu landing site, Nakiwogo, Bugonga and Kasenyi.

"The climax of the celebrations will be on October 5, which will include, inter-institutional boat-racing gala and a football match between the students and alumni of FTI, all which shall be held in Entebbe municipality," added Gertrude Abalo.

Meanwhile, Joseph Ssenyonjo, the deputy principal said, the institute has passed out over 2000 graduates at both certificate and diploma levels, since it was started. He however, decried what he termed as excessive force used by the Uganda People's Defence Forces(UPDF).

The Fisheries Protection Unit  which is charged with fighting illegal fishing on Lake Victoria.

"We have always offered short courses to UPDF marine soldiers where we train and impart them with skills in regard to fishing practices. We therefore, do not expect them to beat up people, nor torching islands like we read in the media," advised Ssenyonjo.

According to the deputy principal , the institute started on February 23, 1968 with only 20 students, all training on certificate level in fisheries studies.

"In 1996, diploma studies were introduced basically for fisheries management and technologies before it was declared a tertiary institution in 2001," stated Ssenyonjo.

On top of the current certificate and diploma courses, the institute hopes to introduce a direct diploma in marine vessel construction, system engineering and maintenance.