President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said he will set up a separate fund that will support fishermen and their activities. The President also thanked the Commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, for tirelessly working towards the bringing back of fishermen to correct practices in Ugandan water bodies.
The President was speaking before Nakasongola residents on his PDM tour for greater Luweero Districts of Nakaseke, Luweero, and Nakasongola.
President Museveni welcomed back all fishermen who had run away from the National Resistance Movement Party due to the poor fishing practices which he said have currently been curbed by Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa the Commandant of the Fisheries Protection Unit.
He said, the fishermen had turned rebellious and such they are welcome since they chose to rejoin NRM after stabilizing the fishing practices.
The President also said there is also a need to agree on the number of people who should be engaging in fishing on water bodies to ensure that the resource is used productively.
“We must agree on the numbers. I want to welcome back all the fishermen when they become rebels. I would love to thank Lt. Col Mercy (Tukahirwa) and I am glad the bavubi (fishermen have stopped eating immature fish,” the president communicated.
He added that; “I will set up a separate fund for the fishermen.”
The fishermen have since 2018 asked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to set up a separate fund for them to ensure that it can they can also benefit from the different available government plans for prosperity and development.
The president’s communication further reignited the tenacity of the Fisheries Protection Unit to further fight against illegalities on Ugandan water bodies.
Recently, a number of fishermen, said to have been engaged in illegal fishing, initiated the fight against Lt. Col. Tukahirwa, who had suspended their operations on Lake Victoria and other subsidiary water bodies in the country.
“She (Mercy Tukahirwa) remained steadfast and has been engaging different stakeholders to ensure that illegal fishing is eradicated,” a fisherman who asked not to be named said.
