40 Kenyans, 13 Rwandan Nationals Remanded Over Illegal Fishing Activities

The Buganda Road Magistrates Court has remanded 40 Kenyans for dealing in illegal fishing activities. 

Court heard that on July 29 while on Lake Victoria in Namayingo District, the Kenyans were found fishing without a valid license issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer for purposes of sale. 

It is also alleged that on the same day, the accused persons all residents of Wanya village at Uhaya Beach, were carrying out fishing using prohibited nets. The prosecution alleges that they were using mosquito nets to carry out their illegal acts of fishing.

They are Patrick Ojjambo  , Stephen Odiambo  , Samson Onyango, Paul Mboya ,Masson Opondo, Michael Otieno , Vincent Wanga ,Rober Okello, William Otieno , Wycliffe Onyango , Zake Obwaka , Dedan Ouma ,  Thomas Okoth , Benado Ogweno , Richard Omono , Daniel Owor , Kevin Audi , Kennedy Chenge  , George Ouma Benard Ocho and  Kevin Odwor , Samson Odenga.

Others are Samson Owino, Francis Omondi ,Eston Ogweno , Tom Otieno , Benjamin Duloch , Kervin Ochieng ,James  Juma Ragara , Collins Okado , Glen Washington Onyango, Denis Omondi Ojowa , Samson Omondi , Maurice Mulumba, Eric Kalanga Ochieng , Silas Omondi , Sephama Ochieng , Joel Odhiambo , Esau Dimo Opio  and Chrisphine Juma Othieno.

The suspects pleaded guilty to the charges but were not convicted because State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi said he was not ready to read for them the brief facts of the case. They were remanded to Luzira Prison until August 22.

The same court has also charged separately a group of 19 suspects, 13 Rwandan nationals and six Ugandans for illegal fishing. 

They are Abel Muhizi, Geofrey Twagirayezu, Erisa Kiiza, Moses Muchino Erick Wakatonda, Abel Mwizi, Felix Segeti, Emmanuel Mpendo, John Kaweesi, Eric Wamala, Eric Mugisha, Teo Ngabo, Paul Sibomana, Nelson Mutwimara, James Ssempijja, Yezu Kwajira, Bashir Kwajira, Bashir Rukundo, Simon Musinzimana and Michael Nuwahereza.

Court heard that the suspects on August 1 at around 5 pm were found on Lake Victoria in Buvuma District with immature fish which they were fishing using mosquito nets which are prohibited.

Some of the suspects denied the charges while the others pleaded guilty. They were remanded to Luzira Prison until August 23. All the accused persons were charged in the absence of their lawyers and relatives.

In May, the Parliament passed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill of 2021 that among others, prescribes various fines including paying hundreds of million shillings or imprisonment for life or both for people found engaging in illegal fishing activities.