Rukungiri leaders want fish market reopened

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Leaders from Rukungiri district have asked the Government to re-open the Ishasha market at the Ugandan-DR Congo border.

The market in Bwambara sub-county was closed by the Government as a counter to the penetration of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the country two years ago.

The call was made on December 18, 2024, at Lake Edward's Rwenshama landing site during a meeting involving residents, especially fishermen, leaders and the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) led by Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa.

Rwenshama landing site chairperson, Abdul Kiiza, said since the closure of the market, fishermen's livelihoods have been crippled: "Our children have dropped out of schools because of lack of fees. Our families are at risk of breaking up since most men can no longer afford to cater for all the necessary needs," Kiiza said.

Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa (right), the FPU commander urging residents to abide by the set conservation measures to get quality fish. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

Bwambara LC3 chairperson, Chris Kagayano, said the local consumption of fish is too minimal to keep dealers in the fishing business and that most people have embarked on forging life elsewhere including going to various districts to serve as labourers while others have chosen to become criminals.

"Theft is becoming the order of the day and other forms of crimes. But should the market reopen, all this shall cease to exist," Chris said.

FPU speaks out

FPU sector commander, Hatimu Mbaziira, pleaded to the Government to reopen the fish market considering the mega revenues the country would then earn out of fish sales, especially from the DRC.

Tukahirwa appealed to the community surrounding, the lakes to continue abiding by the set preservation and conservation measures to have quality fish to sell should the market be reopened soon.