Patrick Opio
2 December 2008
Kampala — THE low water levels in Kwania and Kyoga lakes has sent fish prices soaring in the north.
The fishing communities around the two lakes are concerned that this state of affairs has come during the festive season.
A kilo of Nile perch costs sh2,000, up from sh1,500 in October and November. "We are stuck because the fish catches have drastically reduced.
"These days we spend the whole night in the lake but come out in the morning without any fish," Milton Ecuna, a fisherman, said.
The locals blamed this on the district fisheries officers and local leaders from Apac, Amolatar, Nakasongola and Luweero districts who are cracking down on illegal fishing gears.
"The so-called recommended fishnets are not effective. "They are useless when deployed in waters," Ogwal-Acira, a fisherman from Dogbot landing site, noted.
He said there were several fishmongers at the landing sites fighting for the few catches. "Fishmongers book us before we even enter the waters for fishing," Ogwal added.
He disclosed that this had forced fish dealers to outwit each other by invading the lakes before dawn. "Our peasants cannot afford beef which goes for sh4,500 a kilogramme," Martin Alado, another fisherman, said.
Ojok Ocen, the Apac district fisheries officer, disclosed that 1,502 illegal fishnets and other gear were impounded.
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