Fishermen arrested for illegal fishing.

Kalangala fish mongers are stranded after the government issued new qualifications needed for fishing in Lake Victoria waters.

For decades, people on Buggala Island have been depending on fishing as their major source of income but as now, Lake Victoria is restricted against people who are unqualified to catch fish.

Among the requirements, are modern nets locally known as "Mawuuza and Amaloobo" and larger boats known as "Manga ttaano” and above. This is coupled with taxes of between Shs: 25,000 to Shs: 100,000 annually depending on one's income.

Most affected areas are landing sites for example, Lutoboka, Kitoobo, Kasekulo and Bbanga, among others where fishermen are beaten severely and jailed.

As of now, the UPDF soldiers are in control and responsible for fighting illegal fishing on this Island and arrest those without licenses, burn their nets. They are also detained for 2 months as a punishment for over fishing. Operation is always carried out at night and these wait for Fishermen who catch fish at night so that they can be caught and get arrested says Kabogere Joshua a common fisherman. Fishermen are restricted from using unauthorized nets like Manyala, Sambo which over fish and they destroy the lake.

 “I was fishing at night as usual, then I heard cars coming towards my side, soldiers came out, I was severely beaten by the army, burnt my nets, fish and boat and then took me to Mwena in kalangala prison where I was detained for two months". Lukwago Charles, a resident of Bumangi village, Kalangala district shares his interface with the UPDF soldiers that were on night operations.  

“I had to drown in water because if you’re caught by those men you may think you are in Nalufenya at that moment because they can torture and regret life”. Ssekiziyivu Bosco, a resident at Lutoboka landing site was caught with immature fish but managed to escape from the soldiers’ operations as he drowned in water to save his life.

Baguma Jackson, the fisheries officer Kalangala advised Fishermen to get authorized requirements to avoid scandals of beatings and regular arrests and also help in fighting illegal fishing on Buggala Island.