Despite an existing ban on fishing activities on Lake Kyoga, some fishermen have continued to operate on the lake, with some losing lives.
Available statistics indicate that six fishermen have drowned in the lake in a space of three weeks after encountering strong winds.
Fishing activities on Lake Kyoga were suspended in April last year by the army’s Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) to allow soldiers register fishermen and also enable them acquire standard boats and fishing gears.
Although the suspension was to last for two months, it has persisted to date, forcing some fishermen to beat security and carry out illegal fishing at night.
According to Mr Sam Kigula, the chairperson of Nakasongola District, the latest incident occurred last Friday at Zengebe Landing Site where two fishermen drowned after their boat was hit by heavy winds.
“It is unfortunate that we continue to lose lives on the lake yet fishing activities were suspended. The fishermen sneak into Lake Albert in total defiance of the existing fishing ban. They end up encountering heavy winds leading to the drowning,” Mr Kigula said on Saturday.
Mr Issah Ssemwogerere, the Savannah regional police spokesperson, said the victims of the May 29 boat accident are Richard Wakanyira and Topher Ssebabi, all residents of Zengebe Town Council in Nakasongola District.
“We have managed to retrieve the two bodies and handed them over to the relatives. We have recorded several other water accidents with the number now estimated at six this month [May]. We advise the fishermen not to risk lives through engaging in illegal fishing,” Ms Ssemwogere said.
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