national 8 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing Gear Importers with Stiff Penalties
Uganda is set to implement new fisheries regulations that will impose severe penalties, including hefty fines and jail time, on importers of illegal fishing gear. The government also plans to close specific landing sites where illicit fishing practices persist. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/illegal-fishing-gear-importers-face-shs200m-fine-seven-years-in-jail-5624752
The Ugandan government is preparing to introduce stringent new regulations aimed at curbing illegal fishing practices, with a particular focus on those who import prohibited fishing equipment. State Minister for Fisheries, Robert Migadde Ndugwa, announced that importers found guilty of bringing banned gear into the country could face up to seven years in prison or a substantial Shs200 million fine.
These upcoming regulations, which have been finalized and are awaiting cabinet approval, will also introduce stricter controls on fish size, boat dimensions, and net specifications. A key aspect of the new policy will be the targeted closure of specific landing sites that continue to harbor illegal fishing activities, rather than penalizing entire fishing communities.
Minister Migadde explained that this strategic shift aims to make enforcement more effective and less burdensome. “We shall be closing that specific landing site,” he stated, emphasizing that compliant sites will be allowed to operate. This approach moves away from solely targeting individual fishers on the water.
The government’s renewed efforts are driven by a desire to restore Uganda’s fish stocks and re-establish the fisheries sector as a leading export earner, a position it once held above coffee.
“We once had fish above coffee… Not that coffee should come down, but fish should get back to number one,” Migadde remarked.
Previously, enforcement efforts focused heavily on confiscating illegal gear from fishers, which often led to dangerous confrontations and strained resources. The new strategy will instead target the supply chain by focusing on the importers and vendors of illegal equipment. This is partly in response to significant seizures, such as a recent container holding approximately 35,000 illegal fishing nets valued at Shs950 million.
In addition to severe penalties for importers, the regulations will also outline consequences for local offenders, though details on the exact penalties for these individuals are still to be finalized. The overarching goal is to disrupt the flow of illegal gear and ensure the long-term sustainability of Uganda’s vital fisheries sector, which supports millions of livelihoods.