ENTEBBE – President Museveni has issued another ban regarding illegal fishing on Lake Victoria.
The president while commissioning four new marine boats procured UPDF in partnership with Impala Services from South Africa at the Alice Pier Military base in Entebbe said that small boats less than 28 feet will not be allowed to operate on the lake.
Mr Museveni said that the government is considering to install radars to monitor the Lake Victoria waters, a move to defend the fisheries sector which has a very big potential but destroyed by illegal fishing activities.
He also re-emphasized the ban on the import of illegal fishing gear which he said has contributed to the vice of catching premature fish.
“It is criminal to eat immature fish. No one should be allowed to fish or build in the inlets where the fish lay eggs. Breeding sites should not be disturbed and illegal fishing gears banned,” Mr Museveni said.
He commend the Marines Force for being vigilant on their work saying the capacity will improve given the younger recruits undergoing training.
“About 20% of Uganda is under fresh water. That is a wide area, 50,000 square kilometers, with some of it along the borders. It is therefore very crucial to guard the water bodies not just for law and order but also protect the fisheries industry,” President added.
The president also pledged to build the dry dock and swimming pool for the marines.
He also promoted five senior officer cadets to the rank of second lieutenant; Samuel Onzima, Baker Mukundare, Eliaza Tibakula, Julius Ntegeka and Betty Mirembe.
