Fishermen at Ddimo landing site in Masaka say the restrictions have crippled household incomes and disrupted children’s education as the government considers reopening the fishery under revised regulations.
The government is considering allowing fishermen to resume harvesting mukene in November, offering hope to fishing communities that have struggled financially since restrictions on the fishery were introduced.
The Minister of State for Fisheries, Robert Ndugwa Migadde, announced the proposal during a visit to Ddimo landing site in Masaka District, where he met fishermen to discuss fishing practices and hear their concerns.
Mukene, scientifically known as Rastrineobola argentea, is commonly dried for human consumption and is also used in the manufacture of animal and fish feeds.
Unlike juvenile fish caught before they mature, mukene is a distinct species that remains small even when fully grown.
Migadde, who was accompanied by technical experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said the proposed reopening would depend on Cabinet approval of revised guidelines governing the fishery.
He said the government was considering allowing fishermen to use amatala, a type of fishing gear under discussion, but stressed that any resumption would have to comply with the revised regulations.
The minister was received at the landing site by Masaka District Woman MP Joanita Namutawe, local leaders and representatives of the fishing community.
During the visit, Migadde inspected the landing site, assessed the fishing gear used by fishermen and examined sanitation conditions before holding a meeting with the community.
Fishermen, led by Ddimo landing site chairperson Dominic Bamweyana, appealed to the government to reconsider the restrictions, saying the suspension had deprived many households of their main source of income.
They said the landing site previously supported more than 4,000 people, but the restrictions had disrupted economic activity and left many families struggling to meet basic needs.
Some parents, they said, could no longer afford school fees and other education-related expenses, forcing some children to drop out of school. The fishermen also cited reduced economic activity and lower revenue collection in the surrounding communities.
“We have suffered greatly since the government stopped us from fishing mukene. Many families depended on this activity for survival, but now we can barely afford basic necessities. Some of our children have dropped out of school because we can no longer pay their school fees. We appeal to the government to allow us to resume fishing so that we can support our families,” the fishermen said.
They also asked the government to reduce taxes on fishing equipment, arguing that high costs would make it difficult for them to resume operations even if the restrictions were lifted.
At the same time, they called on security agencies to strengthen operations against illegal fishing along roads and at checkpoints to ensure that those violating regulations were held accountable.
“We ask the government to reduce taxes on fishing equipment because the costs are too high for ordinary fishermen. At the same time, security agencies should strengthen operations against illegal fishing, particularly along roads and at checkpoints, to ensure that those violating the regulations are brought to book,” they said.
Addressing the fishermen, Migadde reiterated that the government was considering reopening mukene fishing next month, but said the proposal still required approval.
He said the proposed guidelines would seek to regulate fishing practices, protect fish stocks and allow communities to earn a living without compromising the sustainability of the lake's resources.
The minister also cautioned that not all landing sites would automatically be reopened, saying sites associated with illegal fishing practices could remain closed.
He said the government intended to maintain oversight of fishing activities to ensure compliance with the law and protect fish stocks.
Migadde further announced plans to establish a mukene-drying machine at Ddimo landing site to improve the quality of the fish and add value before it reaches the market.
He said the facility would help fishermen improve the handling and preservation of their catch, potentially increasing its marketability and the incomes of those involved in the trade.
Major Joseph Ssebukeera, commander of Marine Unit Group 155, which is involved in combating illegal fishing, urged leaders of beach management units to take greater responsibility for managing their landing sites.
Ssebukeera said beach leaders should work closely with security agencies to organise fishing activities and enforce regulations.
Namutawe, meanwhile, urged fishermen to protect the lake's environment, warning that damage to shorelines and fish breeding grounds could threaten fish stocks and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
She also appealed to Migadde to allow mukene fishing to resume under regulated conditions, saying the restrictions had worsened the economic situation of households that rely heavily on the activity.
The visit ended with calls for the government to balance the conservation of fish stocks with the economic needs of fishing communities. Some stakeholders also encouraged residents to explore alternative livelihoods, including agriculture and livestock farming, to reduce pressure on the lake.
For fishermen at Ddimo, the prospect of resuming mukene fishing in November offers hope, but they must await Cabinet's decision on the proposed guidelines.