Francis Bagumire, a fisherman faults government for failure to institute measures on safe pesticide and chemical usage. He says that the incident is a big challenge to the fishermen since they rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Ntungamo district authorities have suspended fishing
activities on Lake Nyakiyanja following the death of thousands of fish due to
suspected poisoning.
Residents started sighting thousands of dead fish on the
lake about a week ago.
Dead fish can be seen floating on the Lake Nyakiyanja mainly
in swampy areas that are favorable for fish breeding.
Amos Besigye, the
Ntungamo District Fisheries Officer, says their decision to suspend fishing was
informed by findings from their initial investigations, which showed that
residents used non selective chemicals that killed thousands of fish.
//Cue in: “We also advise……..
Cue out:…….in the waters:”//
Besigye cautions residents to desist from what he refers as irresponsible
use of chemicals and pesticides to catch fish, saying it is dangerous to
aquatic life.
//Cue in: “We lost a number ….
Cue out:…….and the lakes:”//
Runyankole
//Cue in: “abantu
abarikikozesa …..
Cue out:……nakyo yakyega:”//
Ntungamo District Agriculture Officer, Esther Atwiine says
they are working closely with the environment department to ensure that the
incident isn’t repeated.
Samson Magyezi, a resident of the area, says some residents reportedly
used poison to clear some swampy areas, which ended up killing fish.
Francis Bagumire, a fisherman faults government for failure
to institute measures on safe pesticide and chemical usage. He says that the
incident is a big challenge to the fishermen since they rely on fishing for
their livelihood.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner, George Bakunda, says
the district leadership will roll out a sensitization campaign to ensure that
residents desist from practices that compromise the safety of the environment
and aquatic life.
Anthony Kushaba
Guest
