Fredson Kakooza Wilson, the LC 3 Chairperson of Nabiswera sub-county, says that he personally lost all pasture on his 50 acres of land whereas his neighbour lost pastures on 200 acres of land. Kakooza says that pastoralists can’t afford pesticides to spray the worms, which have spread across large farms in the sub-county.
As the price for a kilo of meat drops to 3,000 shillings in Nakasongola markets, Sam Kigula the LC 5 Chairperson of Nakasongola district has listed the most affected sub counties as Nabiswera, Lwabyata,Nakitoma and Lwampanga.
Gerald Kitaka Sserubombwe a prominent pig trader in Nakasongola town says that residents have embraced rearing pigs because it's easy to sell them and get money to respond to an emergency unlike other animals.
The Commander of Fisheries Protection Unit for Nakasongola and Amolatar districts Captain Samuel Ben Ogwang said that they were compelled to close the landing sites after information that fishermen were using illegal fishing gear.
Richard Miiro Kigayaza the Nakasongola district councillor for Nabiswera sub-county says that several people including officers of Uganda People’s Defense Forces have bought land in their area and transport cattle daily without following procedures.
Charles Bisaaso the LC 1 Chairman of Mwolwe village in Wabinyonyi sub county says that the cattle had caused damage to crops for past two years and they appealed to commanders of the barracks to take action in vain.
Isah Ssemwogerere, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson explains that Ssonko was fishing together with his colleague identified as Robert Kamya on Saturday evening using a canoe locally known as Tukutuku, which capsized after being hit by strong winds. He says that Ssonko drowned but Kamya managed to swim to the shores.
Bright Rwamirama the State Minister of Animal Husbandry says that the work of slaughtering meat will be restricted to modern abattoirs which are being established outside the cities.
Mariam Nabutaka the District Female Councillor for Lwampanga sub county says that they directive was brought in good faith to fight illegal fishing and fishermen should adhere.
The use of monofilament nets was banned as part of the measures to prevent depletion of stocks arising from the collection of immature fish and other water species.
Before the lake is reopened for fishing, the unit has announced that only boats with the interior overall length of 28 feet will be registered as recommended by the fish act. But fishermen and their leaders are protesting the guideline which they say, does not apply to Lake Kyoga, on the basis of its water levels and cost of acquisition.
Rogers Mugerwa Bisaso, the LC 1 Chairman Ninga Village and Fishermen’s Association leader, says some fishermen also attacked and injured soldiers forcing them to fight back using brutal force.
Mariam Nabutaka, the Lwampanga Sub county LC V councillor, says the rats have destroyed several acres of crops including groundnuts, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and watermelon among others.
Alex Mutyaba, a farmer at Kapundo village, says he spotted the insects on one of the trees but they migrated the next day and only a few of them remained flying around the village. Mutyaba said they got worried that insects posed a danger to food crops.
Sam Kigula, the chairperson of Lake Kyoga Integrated Management Organization, an umbrella organization for all districts sharing the lake, explains that during the review meeting, local leaders asked the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) to lift the ban to enable fishermen to resume fishing for survival.
The Nakasongola District Veterinary Office enforced the ban, which saw the closure of butcheries and livestock markets in the affected areas to contain the spread of the disease.
Robert Ssenyange, the Kisaalizi Parish LC III Councilor, explains that officers from the Fisheries Protection Unit soldiers raided their homes at around 2: 00am on Tuesday and assaulted them while searching for illegal fishing gears.
