Save Ugandan fish

THE FISHERIES Department has cracked down on Kenyan boats fishing in Ugandan waters in Lake Victoria. Foreigners are not allowed to fish in Ugandan waters unless they have a valid licence. Over 43 per cent of Lake Victoria is in Uganda and only 16 per cent is in Kenya. Yet Kenya’s 17 fish factories export 220,000 tonnes of fish annually, twice as much as Uganda. Something is wrong. Yes, Uganda is now an active member of the East African Community and should not block Kenyan companies from doing business in Uganda. However these fish are a natural resource in Ugandan waters. They belong to Uganda. They are not the property of whoever has the capacity to collect them. Kenya would not allow Ugandan companies to come without permission and start mining on its land for gold, oil or other minerals. So why should Uganda allow Kenyan companies to come and take away its fish without permission? The Fisheries Department was correct to stop fishing by Kenyan companies in Ugandan waters until the situation is regularised. The fish are a renewable resource and need to be protected. The Fisheries Department should request the Kenyan companies to apply for fishing licences for Ugandan waters. If possible they should be encouraged to site their factories in Uganda. If that is not possible, they should agree to pay a high price for all the fish they catch in Ugandan waters. Uganda is losing export revenue through its fish being exported by Kenyan companies. In the present tight financial climate, this is unaffordable. The Fisheries Department should maintain its tough stance and end this unbridled exploitation of a precious natural resource.