KAMPALA – International Women’s Day was marked with a sense of urgency and desperation by women in Uganda’s fishing industry. Despite their significant contributions to the sector, they continue to face numerous challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being.
Ms. Nazziwa Agnes, a fisherwoman from Bussi fishing site in Wakiso, spoke out against the military presence in their waters. “As we mark International Women’s Day, we, the women in the fishing industry, are far from celebratory,” she said. “Instead, we are calling on the government to address our long-standing concerns.”
Agnes urged the government to withdraw its military presence from their waters and instead invest in sensitization programs that promote sustainable fishing practices. “As custodians of these waters, we are capable of protecting and conserving them without military intervention,” she argued.
However, the military presence has only served to harass and intimidate the women. “The deployment of military personnel has not yielded any positive results; on the contrary, they are now using substandard fishing nets, which defeats the purpose,” Agnes said.
Furthermore, the women have observed that while they, the small-scale fishers, have been barred from accessing the waters, wealthy individuals with the means to bribe military officers continue to operate unchecked. “This has exacerbated our struggles and pushed us deeper into poverty,” Agnes said.
Ms. Teopista, a fisherwoman from Mukono, echoed Agnes’ sentiments, highlighting the human rights abuses they have suffered at the hands of the military. “Our human rights as women in the fishing industry have been grossly violated,” she said.
Despite the Minister’s clearance, their boats are being confiscated by the military, who claim that they are not permitted to fish for silver fish. “This has left us drowning in debt, as we rely on loans to sustain our businesses,” Teopista said.
They say that military is demanding a bribe of Shs1.5 million from each of them to resume fishing, but as impoverished women, they cannot afford this. “Our families, who depend on silver fish for survival, are now struggling to make ends meet,” Teopista said. “Our children’s education has been disrupted, and our livelihoods are at a standstill.”
The women’s plight has been amplified by human rights organizations, including FIAN Uganda. Mr. Kagimu Shafic, from FIAN Uganda, noted that women in remote fishing communities are experiencing the opposite of the empowerment and equality that International Women’s Day seeks to promote.
“Women play a dominant role in the post-harvest sector, engaging in fish drying, smoking, and marketing,” Shafic said. “However, despite their significant economic contribution, fisher communities, particularly women, continue to grapple with systemic challenges that hinder their progress and economic stability.”
The challenges faced by women in Uganda’s fishing industry are multifaceted. Ms. Namugalula Benjamin Vaal, from Katosi Women Development Trust, highlighted the need to promote gender equality in all sectors, particularly in fisheries.
“Women dominate the post-harvest fisheries sector, but their contributions are often undervalued, and they continue to face barriers that limit their economic advancement,” Vaal said.
These barriers include limited access to resources, gender discrimination, and unfair market systems. Women also face gender-based violence and workplace insecurity, as well as the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
To address these challenges, Counsel Kimurahebwa Johnmary, from the Network of Public Interest Lawyers, called on the government to hasten the implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023.
“The lack of implementation of this Act has rendered many women in the sector at risk of abuse and ultimately disabled them from meaningfully participating in fishing activities on equal basis with others,” Kimurahebwa said.
The Act, which was passed in 2023, aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and ensure the equitable utilization of fisheries resources. However, its implementation has been slow, leaving women in the sector vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
As Uganda marks International Women’s Day, the women in the fishing industry are clear in their demands. They want the government to uphold their rights, ensure their safety and security, and promote their economic empowerment.
“We are not just fighting for our livelihoods; we are fighting for our survival,” Agnes said. “We demand action, and we demand it now.”
The women are calling on the government to take immediate action to address their concerns. They want the military presence in their waters to be withdrawn, and for the government to invest in sensitization programs that promote sustainable fishing practices.
They also want the government to ensure that they have access to resources, including credit and markets, and that they are protected from gender-based violence and exploitation.
As the women continue to struggle for their rights and livelihoods, they remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that their demands will be met.
“We will continue to fight for our rights and our livelihoods,” Teopista said.
However, our efforts to get response from military fishing protection unit were futile.
