Why minister has closed five landing sites in Serere

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The fisheries state minister, Hellen Adoa, ordered on Wednesday the closure of five landing sites on Lake Kyoga over violence and the use of illegal fishing gear.

The landing sites, all located in Serere district, are Ateese, Agule, Olupe, Onyara and Alos.

The directive follows a reported assault and confiscation of fishing gear belonging to the fishing community of Pallisa district.

A fight on the lake on Tuesday left 18 people with injuries, according to the minister.

She accused Serere fishermen of crossing to the Pallisa side to catch fish using illegal fishing gear, which she said has created a scarcity of fish.

“Serere fishermen are big-headed and unruly on the lake," said Adoa.

"They have continued to use illegal fishing gear as opposed to their counterparts, who have agreed to follow the law to use the recommended fishing gear."

The minister said she mediated a meeting of both sides a week ago in which they agreed not to cross boundaries on the lake, but that Serere fishermen failed to honour the agreement.

“I am told that they boast that I come from Serere, and so they have a right to do what they want in the lake. It's unfortunate that they beat up 18 people and confiscated their fishing gear,” Adoa told New Vision.

She said six people have died in the lake over the last two years during clashes between the two fishing communities.

The matter has since been reported to the Police. Fisheries commander, Lt Wilson Emalu, expressed displeasure with the conflict.

“We were in a meeting with the fishing community from the two districts and resolved to work for peace, but it’s unfortunate that they ended up following their colleagues and assaulting them,” said Emalu.

Meanwhile, minister Adoa said that the five landing sites will be opened after she has held a meeting with the affected fishing community of Serere.

She did not disclose the date for the meeting.