Three held over illegal fishing gear in Nakasongola

Three fishermen have been arrested by UPDF fisheries reinforcement personnel in Nakasongola in connection with being in possession of illegal fishing nets.

The trio who are being held at Nakasongola Police Station include Moses Achira, Isaac Odongo and John Echodu, all fishermen on Lake Kyoga.

The commandant of the Nakasongola UPDF Marines Unit, Capt. Benon Namanya, said on Tuesday that the three suspects were arrested while transporting the illegal fishing nets aboard a ferry that plies the route between Zengebe landing site in Nakasongola and Amolatar Districts.

The possession and use of illegal fishing gear is deemed illegal under Ugandan fishing laws.

The UPDF reinforcement unit, whose base is at the Nakasongola UPDF Marines Unit at Zengebe landing site, was instituted in February this year to fight illegal fishing on the lake.

Namanya said many unscrupulous fishermen on Lake Kyoga were using illegal fishing gear like undersized nets was rampant, leading to the catching and maiming of immature fish.

The Nakasongola district fisheries officer, David Nsamba, said the use of illegal fishing gear was threatening to deplete Lake Kyoga.

He said the vice had adversely affected the fish catches and the district revenue collection.