The group is protesting against what they called illegal and unlawful seizing of over 15 boats and stopping them from fishing activities for reasons they claim are not clearly communicated to them.
Fishermen
in Kahendero landing site, Muhokya sub county on Lake George, Kasese district
are protesting the decision to ban them from fishing activities.
The directive was issued
by Benard Baingana the head of operations on Lake
Edward and George.
The fishermen are
also demanding for the unconditional release of their fishing gears confiscated earlier this month. The group is
protesting against what they called illegal and unlawful seizing of over 15
boats and stopping them from fishing activities for reasons they were not clearly
communicated to them.
According to Dan
Katongole, a boat owner, they were surprised by the impromptu
communication from the head of the marine operations force banning them from fishing activities.
Katongole says people like
him are chocking on debts and halting activities puts his loan security at threat of
being confiscated and asks government to
intervene and order the release of their boats.
“//Cue in: “Oli
byanaja nateka…
Cue out:..omusango
bwe guti.”//
Amother fisherman Elly Asiimwe says the decision could be politically orchestrated, alleging that some
marine officers have been blaming them for voting “wrong” NRM flag bearers. He says they have engaged
various security offices to facilitate the release of their fishing gear in
vain.
//Cue in: “Tutukumanya
ekitubireho okuerana…
Cue
out:..okyokubakora tikiiho.”//
Peter Bushobozi, the
chairperson Kahendoro landing site also says the decision to confiscate the
boats is yet to be explained to the leaders.
His suspicion is
that the stand-off could be politically driven claiming that security forces on
the lake have been directly involved on NRM elections.
Bushobozi says the families of
the affected fishermen are experiencing untold suffering since they can no
longer afford proving for their families.
“I don’t know why law we went
against for not participating in elections or for voting candidates of our choices,
so we don’t know why out boats were confiscated.” Bushobozi said.
//Cue in: “Tikiri
mumateka okyokugamba…
Cue out:..hbwaki amato bagasibire.”//
However, Benard Baingana the head of operations on lakes Edward and George, refuted allegation of involvement of the forces in NRM polls.
He told URN that
they only confiscated boats involved in illegal fishing and nets that were not up to standards.
He
says says a decision has not yet been
taken to release the impounded boats and Engines to the owners.
