Speaker Anitah Among has tasked the government to bring a statement to Parliament explaining why there are continued killings and violating human rights within fishing communities, despite the passing into law the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022.
Her concern comes at the time a UPDF Officer, Moses Niwagira was accused of shooting dead Charles Wanya, a fisherman operating on the shores of Lake Kyoga recently.
“There is an outcry, much as we passed a law on fisheries, but the people have continued to be mistreated, I got a team that somebody was killed at a landing site. As Government, maybe you need to come in and see the enforceability of the law that was passed in this House because the people who are being killed are our people, those are the same people who will vote for us tomorrow. So, we need a response to that effect because it isn’t only in that island, it isn’t only in one fishing area,” said Among
It should be recalled that the government gave the mandate of keeping law and order within Ugandan waters to Uganda Police, but the UPDF had maintained its presence on the lakes, despite residents around fishing communities accusing the Army of inhumane treatment and murders while against the fishing community.
The government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua acknowledged receiving reports about human rights violations in fishing communities by the Fisheries Protection Unit and asked the Speaker to accord time to Hellen Adoa, Minister of State for Fisheries, to present a statement addressing issues in all fishing communities across the country.
“I have equally seen on social media, including Amolatar District, where on resident was reportedly shot dead by a Member of the Fisheries Protection Unit, may I request that you give the Minister in Charge of Fisheries an opportunity to come and present a Comprehensive statement covering all the fishing communities and what is transpiring within the country, generally but also with specific with regard to the incidences that we have read and seen in the media,” said Obua.
