By Racheal N Namuli
Mukene fishers, traders, and exporters have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and allow them to resume fishing activities, five months after authorities halted mukene fishing operations on Lake Victoria.
The suspension was implemented by the former Fisheries Protection Unit, now operating as the 155 Marines Battalion under the leadership of Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding. Authorities cited the need to allow the lake ecosystem to recover and raised concerns over the use of illegal fishing nets by some operators.
Since the ban was imposed, hundreds of mukene traders and exporters under their umbrella organization, the Silver Fishers, Traders and Exporters Forum Uganda (STEF Uganda), say their livelihoods have been severely affected.
Many traders report facing extreme financial hardship, including lack of food, inability to pay rent, and mounting debts. They also claim that their expensive fishing boats, which have remained docked for months, are being damaged by exposure to harsh weather conditions.
Speaking during a gathering at Kasenyi Landing Site on Thursday, the traders expressed frustration over what they described as unfair treatment by the 155 Marines Battalion. They questioned why fishermen dealing in other fish species such as mputa and ngege were allowed to continue operating while mukene fishing remains prohibited.
Led by STEF Uganda President Amir Kigundu, the traders said they are seeking an audience with President Museveni to present their concerns and request permission to resume fishing activities.
“We want to meet President Museveni and explain the challenges we are going through. Many of our members are struggling to survive due to lack of income, while others are burdened by loans they can no longer repay,” Kigundu said.
He added that thousands of registered fishing boats are deteriorating as they remain unused, while businesses that depended on the mukene industry have been forced to close. These include shops selling fishing nets, lamps, push poles, food supplies, and other related equipment.
Kigundu further revealed that he previously met President Museveni to discuss regulations governing mukene fishing. However, he said the complete suspension of fishing activities was not among the issues discussed during that meeting.
According to Kigundu, some government officials may have exceeded their mandate by enforcing a prolonged ban on mukene fishing without adequate consultation.
“We would like to meet the President personally so that we can understand the way forward and find a lasting solution to this problem,” he said.
The traders are now urging the government to review the suspension and provide relief to thousands of families and businesses that depend on the mukene fishing industry for survival.
