By Steven Enatu
DOKOLO
At least ten people have been arrested for using illegal fishing gear in Dokolo District.
The suspects were arrested at Lake Kwania in an operation led by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces- Fisheries Protection Unit.
Several fishing gears including boats and undersized fishing nets were impounded and kept at the police store in Kwera Police station.
According to North Kyoga Police spokesperson, ASP Jimmy Okema, the UPDF head of Fisheries Protection Unit in Dokolo got intelligence information that there were people in the lake with illegal gear.
“It’s alleged that on the 13thJuly 2022 in Lake Kwania between 0700hrs and 1300hrs a group of about ten people were arrested by soldiers attached to fisheries protection unit Lake Kwania for illegal fishing and possession of illegal fishing gears. The suspects were handed over to Kwera police station in Dokolo District,” Okema said.
After the arrests were conducted, the case was referred to Dokolo central police station.
The suspects includes Arago Joshua aged 37yrs, resident of kwera, Ogwang Carlos aged 25 resident of Kwera, Okello Lameck aged 27yrs resident of kwera, Ongole Jasper aged 29yrs resident of Okwongodul, Tyan Richard 29yrs resident of kwera, Odur Benard aged 40 years resident of Okwongodul.
Others are Walter Kawa aged 28 years resident of Kacung parish, Agwata sub county, Moses Otim aged 34years resident of kwera, Paul Apel 22 years resident of kwera and Jacob Oven 22 years resident of kwera.
Okema advised the locals to follow the rightful procedures while they practice fishing on Uganda’s Lakes.
Earlier this month the Resident District commissioner of Dokolo District Barbra Akech warned the locals against use of illegal fishing gear on Lake Kwania.
