Leaders and stakeholders of the fisheries sector from various parts of the country have this morning gathered at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC-Kyambogo) to tip Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo on issues affecting their industry.
These were led by Mr Kambugu Godfrey Sseyonga the Chairman of the Association of Fisheries and Lake Users Uganda (AFALU) who told Hajjat Namyalo that the highest number of lake users are loyal supporters of HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni but they face a barrage of challenges which have since crippled their industry.
Among the challenges they reported to Hajjat Namyalo included the poor enforcement and illegal operations of the army on the lakes, something they say has left several bazzukulu injured, others nursing wounds and others counting losses.
''I among other leaders from this sector of fishing cried to Museveni to give us an army so that it stop illegal fishing methods, but as I speak now every fisherman is crying due to the poor standards the army has expressed in enforcing the fishing regulations,'' said Kambugu adding; ''I want us to be clear on this, we need the army on the lake, but soldiers be facilitated enough so that they stop harassing our people to get bribes from them. Then also, those errant soldiers illegally staging operations to steal fish from our people, be punished and kicked out of the army, we are tired of their notorious behaviours.''
Kambugu told Hajjat Namyalo that Museveni's support in fishing communities during 2021 elections was suffocated by the ruthless army actions against the innocent Ugandans.
On top of the above, these fisheries also cited a big challenge of taxes saying they pay more than they get from the lakes.
''As we speak right now traders are crying about EFRIS, but these things started from our sector. Gov't is milking from us several forms of taxes and, when you go on the ground, our people from most fishing communities are receiving the poorest government services. These are serious issues that our great leader Museveni should look into and solve urgently. Trust me he will scoop all the votes from the fishermen if these and many other challenges we have been telling him are addressed,'' added Kambugu.
In her remarks, Hajjat Namyalo revealed that once she visited Mayuge district, and indeed got information that the army was stealing from the fishermen in disguise of enforcing fishing regulations.
''I know most people doing these evil things are big mafias and they can even shoot me, but I was sent by Museveni to work for his bazzukulu and so I can't keep quiet as such continues to kill his support from fishermen and women. Therefore, I must let him know all these because fishing is among the key boosters of our economy and we can't keep quiet as it continues to perish,'' vowed Namyalo.
Namyalo revealed that ONC coordinators from the fishing communities have been briefing her about most of the challenges affecting these communities however hadn't got a chance to meet the very people facing such challenges.
''Am happy that i have finally met you, most of these challenges i have been hearing them and now that you have clearly tipped me on what exactly you are facing, just know am going to push your proposals to our jajja and I know he will permit me to take you to meet him just like he met traders recently,'' Namyalo told the fishermen before she asked them to put all their wishes in writing so that she can submit them to the president.
On excess taxes, Namyalo had no good words for those giving Museveni wrong information on taxation, saying despite over taxing Ugandans in some parts of the country they are still finding it hard to get government services.
"Personally, people accuse me of exposing them before the president, but really, you milk over three forms of taxes from fisheries and later you hear them crying that some islands don't have any government facility, so where does that money go, to corrupt mafias? These are things that surely the president is interested to know, he knows your impact and he really can't stay silent as you suffer,'' said Namyalo adding; ''But amidst all, remember that Museveni must stay on the ballot. So I request you to keep supporting him as we push for your issues.''
Meanwhile, in the move to solve the challenges in fishing communities, Namyalo revealed that the ONC is curbing the gap between it and the local wanainchi through recruiting village and parish foot soldiers who will be delivering issues of the bazzukulu to the Office.
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