By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Robert Migadde Nduggwa, has threatened to close Kasenyi Fishing Site in case fishers persist to use illegal fishing gears like monofilament and hurry up nets which he says endangers fish species.
Minister Migadde who set fire on tonnes of monofilament and hurry up fishing nets worth Shs.300m at Kasenyi Fishing grounds on November 11, 2026, said silver fish fishers are not allowed to use solar lights when fishing, warning that whoever fails to comply fishing silver fish on that particular landing site will be closed.
He urged the fishing community to report the perpetrators to relevant authorities for appropriate action to be taken against them.
Minister Migadde who also threatened to ban importation of monofilament nets, said he chose to burn illegal fishing gears at Kasenyi Fishing Site so as to send a strong warning message to Kasenyi Fishing community that the fishing gears they use are illegal and that persistent use of them amounts to a criminal fence.
“If we find a fishing site using hurry up and monofilament nets we shall immediately close it,” Minister Migadde warned fishers.
The Chairperson Wakiso District Fisheries management Committee, Edrisa Matovu Figo, said the operation to crack down illegal fishing gears continues and that his team will ensure to bring to book all suppliers and distributors of illegal fishing gears.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Busiro South, Patrick Mubiru Kigwaleero, directed the security committee to probe the crafty network that is trying to fail operations on the lake by conniving with fishers who use illegal fishing gears.
The Commissioner Fisheries enforcement unit at the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, disclosed that the fishing gears that were burnt came from Kigungu landing site, adding that the suspects were arrested and produced before Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court.
The Entebbe Grade one Magistrate Her Worship Lillian Mazimwe, who witnessed the burning of the illegal fishing gears, said the suspects were brought before her court and charged with being in possession of illegal fishing gears. She added that witnesses testified in court and the case came to logical conclusion with the culprits being sentenced.
Her worship Mazimwe revealed that last month in October she handled three cases from fisheries unit and that the parties pleaded guilty though no exhibit was brought to her court.
She appealed to the fishing community to avoid using illegal fishing gears, and fishing small sized fish saying this leads depletion of fish species.
The commandant of 115 marine Battalion Maj. Joseph Ssebukera, urged fishers to register their boats and also acquire lincenses, warning that he won’t hesitant to impound unlicensed boats.
Maj Ssebukera, also urged the fishing communities to support the enforcement of fisheries regulations, emphasizing that sustainable fisheries management is essential for preserving livelihoods and protecting Uganda’s aquatic resources.
Ronald Bogere, a fisher at Kasenyi Fishing Site, pledged before the Minister to act against his fellow fishers who will be caught using illegal fishing gears.
The Chairperson Beach Management Unit at Kasenyi Fishing Site, Ashman Salongo, said he concurs with the president in the fight against illegal fishing methods which he claims has led to depletion of major fish species.
The Chairperson Beach Management Unit at Bugonga fishing site, Sarah Namusoke Ibaale, appealed to silver fish fishers whose business was suspended for the last 8 months to comply with guidelines set by the fisheries ministry and to desist from using illegal fishing gears.
