FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye addresses a rally at Mwena Landing Site in Kalangala District yesterday. PHOTO BY HENRY LUBULWA
Kalangala- FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye has promised to overhaul the fisheries department by vetting the current staff and recruiting new ones.
Addressing a rally at Kitobo Landing Site in Bufumira Sub-county Kalangala District during his campaign trail in the Ssese Islands yesterday, Dr Besigye said a big number of staff in the fisheries department extort money from fishermen suspected to be involved in illegal fishing and impound illegal fish, which they later sell on black market.
“I don’t support illegal fishing but it hurts to hear that when immature fish is impounded, it is again sold by people given the mandate to curb this vice. Such people don’t deserve to be in that department, my government will do an overhaul in that department,” Dr Besigye said.
He also promised to empower fishermen to determine what should be done in the fisheries sub-sector.
“The leaders should always implement what Ugandans really need and that is their role,” Dr Besigye explained, hammering his key campaign message on the need for leaders to see themselves as servants of citizens and not vice versa.
Recently, government withdrew all fisheries officers and marine police personnel who were operating on lakeshores over alleged extortion and State minister for Fisheries Zerubabel Nyiira Mijumbi promised that they will replace all enforcement officers with UPDF officers in fighting illegal fishing.
Dr Besigye and his entourage comprising Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Lubaga Division Mayor Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo and other officials delayed to reach some landing sites in the district due to strong winds and turbulent waves, currently experienced on the lake.
Among other places Dr Besigye visited include Kisaba Landing Site in Kyamuswa Sub-county and Namisoke Landing Site in Bubeke Sub-county.
He was also expected to campaign in Kyagalanyi in Bujumba Sub-county and later address residents in Kibanga Playground in Kalangala Town Council.
Dr Besigye also promised to re-allocate money the current government sends to Kalangala District to programmes that would directly improve the livelihoods of people like buying motorised boats to serve as ambulances in the island district.
“Our plan is that every patient who needs immediate treatment is taken to hospital,” Dr Besigye said.
Kalangala is currently serviced by a ferry from Bukakata (Masaka) and a ship (from Nakiwogo, Entebbe), which don’t reach all small islands.
Most residents use canoes and several incidents of capsised boats have been reported leading to loss of lives.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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