Fishermen from eight landing sites in Mpunge Sub-county, Mukono District, Uganda, have petitioned the Ministry of Fisheries to investigate alleged illegal fishing in a protected breeding area on Lake Victoria. The fishermen claim that Harrison Porter, a foreign national operating from Bulago Island, has been allowed to fish in the Lacustrine Protected Area (LPA), which was gazetted in 2010 to protect breeding grounds and allow fish stocks to recover. The affected landing sites include Kiziru, Buleebi, Kasaali, Baale Kamwaanyi, Ndeya, Nankoko, Kazikake, and Koone.
The fishermen allege that while local fishermen are arrested or blocked from entering the protected area, Porter and his associated boats continue to operate there, creating a perceived double standard that has fueled frustration among communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing. The fishermen also accuse some fisheries and security officials of abusing enforcement powers, citing cases of arrested fishermen being asked to pay over 500,000 Shillings to secure their release, and others having their equipment confiscated or being subjected to physical harassment.
According to Mustafah Kalyango, the fisheries official responsible for the area, Porter was reportedly authorized by the Government to guard and protect the breeding ground, but allegedly failed to comply with the conditions attached to the authorization. Kalyango claims that Porter brought 33 boats into the protected area, which began fishing inside the restricted zone, and was provided with security personnel. This has led to reports of alleged mistreatment of fishermen, including beatings, destruction of fishing nets, and damage to boats.
The issue was raised during a meeting convened by Mukono South Member of Parliament Robert Maseruka to discuss challenges facing fishing communities. The meeting heard that the protected area was established to protect breeding grounds and allow fish stocks to recover, with regulations prohibiting fishing within the area and imposing a fine of at least 200,000 Shillings on offenders. Fishermen who attended the meeting appealed to Maseruka to intervene, citing the difficulties they face in supporting their families due to repeated arrests and restrictions.
Women from the affected communities also appealed for intervention, stating that the arrests of their husbands and relatives have left families struggling to meet basic needs and repay loans taken to support fishing activities and household expenses. They asked Maseruka to help secure the release of fishermen who have been arrested and remanded in prison, arguing that their continued detention is worsening the financial difficulties facing their households.
Maseruka has pledged to raise the fishermen's concerns with the relevant authorities and work with other legislators around Lake Victoria to seek a meeting with the Minister responsible for Fisheries, Robert Migadde Ndugwa. The discussions will aim to ensure that fisheries regulations protect fish stocks while also considering the livelihoods of communities that have depended on the lake for generations. Maseruka also proposed a review of the boundaries and size of the protected area to establish whether they remain appropriate.
The fishermen are urging the Government to investigate the allegations surrounding the management of the protected area and clarify who is authorized to operate within it. They are also calling for transparency and equal enforcement of fisheries regulations, arguing that all fishermen should be subject to the same rules regardless of their nationality or status. The outcome of the meeting and the Government's response to the allegations remain to be seen.
Key points
- Fishermen in Uganda's Mukono District protest alleged illegal fishing by foreign national Harrison Porter in a protected breeding area on Lake Victoria.
- The protected area was established to protect breeding grounds and allow fish stocks to recover, with regulations prohibiting fishing within the area.
- The fishermen are calling for transparency and equal enforcement of fisheries regulations to ensure that all fishermen are subject to the same rules.
