The government of Uganda is set to curb illegal fishing & trap errant officers by installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) Cameras on its water bodies.
This was revealed by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja during a parliamentary session on the 4th August 2022.
Nabbanja said the installation of CCTV cameras will start with Lake Albert by December, 2022 then followed by Lakes Edward and Victoria next year.
Nabbanja raised this while presenting a statement on alleged beating, torture and killing of fishermen by UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit on water bodies.
The Prime Minister said the allegations of beatings, torture and killings of fishermen is “blackmail by cartels of illegal fishermen who are using the media and some politicians to hide the truth.”
She said the Government wants to restore the Fish population in water bodies for the good of all Ugandans.
“The deaths that have been reported are as a result of self-drowning of illegal fishermen due to phobia of being arrested and use of undersized illegal boats that are unstable on water and vulnerable to bad weather.” She said.
Hon. Noah Mutebi MP Nakasongola however disagreed with the Prime Minister’s response saying that fishermen are being beaten by the UPDF who are also engaged in fishing.
The MP Jinja South Division West, Hon. Timothy Batuwa said the fishermen have been highly beaten and victimized in the hands of UPDF.
