Museveni Halts Mukene Fishing Ban, Vows Expert Consultation

President Yoweri Museveni has temporarily suspended a ban on specific fishing techniques used to catch silver fish, commonly known as mukene, on Lake Victoria. The directive came during a campaign rally in Kalangala District on Monday, where the President announced that the government would consult with both scientific experts and experienced local fishermen before making a final decision.

The controversial guidelines, introduced earlier this year, prohibited the use of the “hurry-up” method and the deployment of lamps during mukene fishing operations. Fishermen have voiced strong opposition, arguing that these restrictions severely limit their options and threaten their economic stability.

Seeking to understand the issue better, President Museveni engaged with Minister of Public Services, Gen. Katumba Wamala, and the State Minister for Fisheries, Robert Migadde. Minister Migadde explained that lamps can aid in targeting silver fish while minimizing the catch of immature fish. He assured the President that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is working on regulations under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act to address these concerns within two months.

President Museveni urged the residents of Kalangala to remain patient, stating that his administration would leverage the insights from both experts and indigenous fishermen to find a viable solution. “Since I have been able to gather experts and also listen to the indigenous fishermen, we shall be able to solve this issue,” he remarked.

During the rally, discussions also touched upon the improvement of water transport and infrastructure in the island district. The President pledged to address concerns regarding the MV Kalangala ferry service and announced plans for two new ferry routes to enhance connectivity. He also committed to the construction of a district hospital and encouraged local investment in agriculture and tourism-related activities.

This report is based on information from the Daily Monitor.