Fishermen lauded for adding value to silverfish

By Henry Nsubuga

President Yoweri Museveni has commended Buvuma fishermen for adding value to local produce.

The Buvuma Mukene Millers, under the Buvuma Victoria Company, has started processing silverfish (mukene) into powder, which is packed in branded packaging before putting it on the market.

Buvuma Mukene Millers brings together fishermen from Mubaale landing site in Bugaya sub-county, Kasaali landing site in Nairambi sub-county and Lingira landing site in Busamuzi sub-county.

The group, led by Buvuma Woman MP, Jennifer Nantume, showcased their products at Nama sub-county in Mukono district on Friday during the president’s visit to the veterans in the district.

The President applauded the fishermen for their initiative to fight poverty and combating malnutrition among children.

He promised to support them to boost their produce to meet the big market demand.

The President has been calling upon Ugandans to add value to local produce, saying it is the only way to improve household incomes.

The chairperson for Buvuma Mukene Millers, Abdul Onzima, said after going through sensitisation workshops organised by Gen. Salim Saleh, they improved the quality of their silverfish.

“We stopped drying the silverfish in sand. It is now sand free,” Onzima said.

He added that they also fry the silver fish and sell them as snacks.

Nantume hailed Gen. Salim Saleh, for helping fishermen after her application.

“Saleh gave us a machine worth sh100m which the fishermen are now using to grind the silverfish,” she said.

She, however, noted that because of bad methods of fishing, many fish species have disappeared from the lake, leaving many people jobless.

She added that silverfish, which is the only fish that can be caught in masses, had no market, adding that processing it has created employment for islanders.

“It’s high time Ugandans get the value in silverfish. It is rich in proteins and other food nutrients, which makes it good for children and adults,” Nantume noted.