Government through the newly created Uganda People’s Defence Forces Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has launched ‘Operation Pakalast’ aimed at cracking down on illegal fishing in Wakiso District. Speaking during the launch of the operation at the Kigungu Landing site in Entebbe Municipality on Thursday, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) commander Maj. James Nuwagaba revealed that because of the illegal fishing, taxes from the fisheries sector have drastically dropped and over 5600 workers employed in the sector have lost jobs.
“Out of the 21 factories licensed to carry out fishing activities, 15 have closed and over 5600 workers employed in the sector have lost jobs because of irresponsible fishing. Therefore it is in light of this that President Museveni deemed it fit to issue a presidential directive and entrusted us (Fisheries Protection Unit) with the authority to decisively deal with illegal fishing across all water bodies in Uganda”, Maj. Nuwagaba stressed.
He added;
Today (Thursday) we have launched “Operation Pakalast” in Kigungu Landing Site in Entebbe Municipality aimed at cracking down on illegal fishing gear in Wakiso District. We have closed un-gazetted landing sites in Merry Land, Lwamunyo and Makusa islands in Kigungu which have been harboring all sorts of criminals. We have sensitized all the fishermen on the dangers of illegal fishing and we have given them amnesty to surrender all their illegal fishing gear and for those who remain adamant the consequences will be severe.
Some of the illegal fishing gear that was destroyed during the crackdown at the Kigungu Landing site includes;
1240 Monofilament nets, 202 Kokopas (Beach seins), 20 Bao Tatu (Canoes), 209 Gill nets and 54, 204 illegal hooks.
Meanwhile Edward Sselugunda the Chairperson Kigungu Fishermen Association hailed Maj. James Nuwagaba and the Fisheries Protection Unit for the crackdown in Kigungu landing site and called on his fellow fishermen to join the fight against illegal fishing.
