Two plead guilty over illegal fishing

Jun 23, 2020

The pair was convicted having been charged with three counts of being in possession of prohibited fish nets, using an unlicensed vessel, and operating without a valid licence

The Standard Utilities and Wildlife Court at Buganda Road in Kampala has convicted and remanded two fishermen after their own admission for being in possession of prohibited fish nets and fishing using an unlicensed vessel.

Dan Kaganda, 35, and Julius Lubega, 24, are both residents of Mukungu-Kasenyi, Katabi Town Council in Wakiso district.

The pair was on Monday convicted having been charged with three counts of being in possession of prohibited fishnets, using an unlicensed vessel, and operating without a valid licence.   

Grade One Magistrate, Joan Ketty Acaa, convicted them after they admitted to the charges.

The offences contravened sections 5, 28, and 33 of the Fish Act Cap 197 as amended by the Fish Amendment Act of 2011 and rule 12 (1), (2) of the Fishing Rule No.33 of 2010.

Upon confession, the state prosecutor, Miriam Njuki, requested the court for an adjournment to allow her to present the exhibits in court before sentencing the duo.

"Your worship, we seek for an adjournment to enable us avail exhibits in regard to the matter before you. We shall also read the brief facts regarding the same on that day," Njuki said, prompting the court to adjourn the case.

The prosecution alleged that on June 7, 2020, at Kasenyi on the water of Lake Victoria, Kaganda and Lubega were found in possession of illegal fishing gear which is prohibited.

It is further purported that at the same place and time, the duo was found fishing using an unlicensed vessel which is not acceptable on the waters of Uganda.

The convicts were also found fishing without a valid license issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer for the purpose of sale.

The case was adjourned to June 26, 2020, for brief facts and sentencing.

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