Fishermen in Namasale Town Council, Amolatar District, have expressed their grievances over alleged mistreatment and corruption in the fishing industry. Speaking to our reporter, Onono John Bosco, a fisherman and resident of Biko Trading Centre, described the harsh conditions they face daily.
According to Onono, fishermen often fall victim to extortion by army personnel who seize their boats and nets, demanding exorbitant sums of money for their release. “They demand 400,000/= for you to be released,” he lamented. Onono further claimed that the confiscated nets, which are recommended for fishing, are not burnt but instead sold to other individuals.
Fishermen also voiced their concerns over the ineffectiveness of the recommended fishing nets. “The nets recommended for catching fish don’t catch large quantities of fish, leaving us with little to no income,” Onono said.
Moreover, there is widespread discontent among the local youth regarding the unfulfilled promises made by their elected representatives. They accused the incumbent MPs of neglecting their needs and failing to initiate any projects to support them.
Expressing their support for Ongia, one fisherman, Olea Patrick, called on the government to allow the use of alternative fishing nets and regulate the fishing industry more effectively. They also urged the government to establish a separate institution to oversee the sector, rather than relying on the army, who they accuse of abusing their power and torturing fishermen.
As the situation remains dire for the fishing community in Kyoga County, residents are hopeful that the upcoming elections will bring change and address their long-standing grievances.
As the current MPs’ terms are nearing their end, many in Kyoga County are now rallying behind Col. Dr. Francis Ongia, a close ally of the head of state. Fishermen and locals alike view Ongia as a potential “liberator” who can bring about positive change in the region.