BUVUMA – At least 800 fishermen have secured licences and number plates for their boats authorising them to operate in the island district of Buvuma.
According to Capt. Steven Alituha , the commander of Fisheries Protection Unit(FPU) in Buvuma , they have been facing with a challenge of identifying boats especially for those that get involved in illegal fishing activities .
“We registered 3,387 boats in Buvuma District and none of them had the licence to operate on the lake neither did they have number plates. We are happy that at least 800 fishermen have so far complied,” he said while addressing fishermen at Kilongo landing site in Buvuma District over the weekend.
He urged fishermen who have not yet paid money for licence to do so before the end of this month to avoid being fined.
Mr Joseph Dheyongera, the Fisheries Inspector in charge of Licensing in the Ministry of Agriculture , said they will be forced to pluck off boat number plates if owners fail to pay annual licence fee of Shs100,000.“The licence is paid annually and a number plate is given at a free cost, by the end of this month , there will be a penalty for those who have not paid for the licence but still operate.” He said.
Meanwhile, residents in Mpigi Town have faulted their leaders of not doing enough to keep the town clean.
Led by Mr Kenneth Mulangira , a boda-boda cyclist in the town , the residents claim the town council authorities abolished garbage skips where they used to dump waste before it is finally collected by trucks –something that has compromised hygiene in the town.
Mr Margret Naiga, another resident said some people ease themselves in polythene bags which they later ump by the road side.
Mr Joseph Sennoga , the chairperson Mpigi Town Council said they abolished garbage skips because residents were misusing them .
“Residents used to burn rubbish in the skips, destroying them and we used to make new replacements every time and again. So, we believe collecting garbage in those bags helps the community to directly participate in ensuring the cleanliness of their town,” Mr Sennoga said yesterday
