David Muwanga
28 February 2008
Kampala — FISH prices have doubled due to rampant smuggling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"There is a lot of smuggling along the Uganda/DR Congo border, with traders transporting even immature fish through illegal border points and are escorted by armed men," the Gaba Beach Management Unit manager, Dirisa Walusimbi, said.
At Kamwokya and Nakawa markets, a kilogramme of Nile Perch costs sh5,000 from sh2,500, while an 11-inch fish costs between sh2,500 and sh3,000 from sh1,500. Fish of between 16 and 17 inches costs between sh5,000 and sh7,000.
"The situation has been aggravated by over-fishing on Lake Victoria throughout the day and night. This is done even in the current dry season," Walusimbi said.
"Even at Gaba, there is a shortage because our vendors have been purchasing fish from Busega. But they have also stopped because of high prices. The price of fish of two kilogrammes, which is used to cut fish fillets has risen from sh3,000 to sh7,000," he said.
Walusimbi said the use of small fishing nets (Kokota), which trap the immature fish, had worsened the situation.
"For example, a mature Nile Perch must be 20 inches but the nets even trap those of 10 inches. They were being bought by the fish exporting firms but they have also put regulations to stop the act after realising that it is one of the reasons why there is a shortage," he said.
Walusimbi refuted allegations that the shortage is due to over-exporting of fish, saying most of the companies export Nile Perch and little quantities of Tilapia.
"In March, we are launching an operation to arrest those we shall find trapping immature fish."
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