By Dyson Ebalu
Parliament has summoned the state minister for fisheries Hellen Adoa to appear before Parliament to respond to the outcry by fishermen along Lake Albert, Kwania and Victoria on continued brutality by the UPDF attached to the fish protection unit (FPU).
In a session chaired by Speaker Jacob Oulanya, the minister will appear before the house ON Wednesday to give detailed plans for fishermen and responses on issues affecting them.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Adoa told the house that she had written to the ministry of finance requesting for some funds to cater for the welfare of fishermen who were affected by closure of illegal fishing.
Her statement came after a Monday meeting in Kajansi with a section of Members of Parliament on the way forward of settling issues arising from fishermen across the country.
Before parliament took a recess, Kioga county MP Okot Moses Junior tabled before parliament the need for the government to duly pay the tortured victims during the crackdown of illegal fishing in Uganda by the UPDF.
Kayondo Fred, the Member of Parliament for Mukono municipality argued that UPDF is continuing to torture fishermen at the shore of lake Victoria.
On Sunday 22nd August 2021 the woman Member of Parliament for Kalaki district Jenifer Ayo went for fact findings on the alleged extortion by the UPDF in some landing sites in the district.
The landing sites visited by Ayo Nalukwago are Bukia, Sangai Owidi and Lela all in Bululu, Kalaki district.
In their verbal petition, they say the UPDF operatives attached to the fisheries protection unit have continued to extort money from them.
The fishermen accuse the soldiers of demanding up to five hundred thousand shillings when they are arrested.
Ayo however warned the fishermen against illegal fishing but advised them to form up in groups so that they can be able to buy the recommended boats for fishing.
Editor@lbs.co.ug
