Addressing fishermen at Nakibanga Landing Site in Kyamuswa Sub County Kalangala District on Monday, Kirya said that he received reports about the move, which involves some district leaders and found it to be true.
Three fishing boats with 25 horse power engines and their fishing nets have this afternoon perished in a fire outbreak at Nkose Landing Site in Mazinga Sub County of Kalangala District
David Balironda, the Manager Kalangala Oil Palm Tree Out Growers Trust (KOPGT), says the increased prices have pushed farmers to harvest immature fruits. He, however, says this has led to the low-quality extraction rate in the mills, which has the potential of lowering the price of palm oil fruits.
Some fishermen in Kalangala have called upon Fish Protection Unit (FPU) Officers to stop destroying their boats while carrying out illegal fishing operations on Lake Victoria.
Normally, the vessel leaves Kalangala for Entebbe at 8 am and Entebbe for Kalangala at 2 pm making two trips a day. However, now the vessel leaves Kalangala at 7:30 am and arrives at Nakiwogo by 11 am. It docks for 30 minutes while loading for another trip and leaves at 11:30 am and arrives at Lutoboka in Kalangala at 3 pm.
This morning, fishmongers were surprised to find police officers on MV Kalangala checking all the cargo before it is loaded. All travellers with smoked fish were blocked from accessing the ferry ship not until they surrendered the fish to security operatives at the docking pier in Lutoboka.
Kiwanuka Faisal, a Kalangala District Local Gov't driver was allegedly found smuggling immature fish from Kalangala to Masaka using the district chairperson's vehicle.
The growing number of local tourists is attributed to MV Kalangala and Entebbe Intenational Airport that resumed operations on October 1st, 2020. Service providers say few, if at all any, international tourists are visiting Kalangala.
The Kalangala District Chairperson Willy Lugoloobi says, number of passengers who use the vessel has increased and many Islanders are left stranded on piers
According to records by the District Production Office, Kalangala has at least 100 commercial pineapple farmers some of whom are also intercropping their plantations with mangoes and citrus fruits. But they are struggling to earn from the production due to lack of markets.
To rejuvenate tourism in the district, some hotel managers have had to cut the costs of accommodation and other services. Kalangala district has 600 guest rooms comprising both small lodges and advanced resorts.
The money will be distributed between four groups; Lutoboka Youth Fish Cage Farming Association, Lutoboka Women Fish Cage farming group, Bugoma Youth Association and Mutambala Fishing, to start fish cages and procure fishing gear, among others, fishing boats, nets and engines.
Daniel Muguluma, the Officer in Charge of the Village Savings and Loans Association, says the tremendous improvement in the saving culture amongst the people in Kalangala has led to further development in the area.
Joel Tamale, the Leader of the Bunyama Palm oil cluster, says farmers are running out of patience since they dont have money to look after their gardens.
