Bob R
Residents, local leaders, and the business community at Rweshama Landing Site on Lake Edward in Bwambara Sub-County, Rukungiri District, have voiced strong concerns regarding the health standards of fish sold at the site and alleged illegal tax collection practices.
The accusations are directed at Rukungiri District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Hajji Masokoyi Waswa, for allegedly awarding a fish movement permit to an individual who does not meet the qualifications outlined in Article 39 of the Fisheries Act of Uganda.
Kyomugisha Hajara, who received the contract for the fish movement permit from the CAO’s office, is under scrutiny for reportedly bypassing the correct procedural channels.
According to the Fisheries Act 2022, the district or sub-county fisheries officers should issue the fish movement permit; however, local leaders claim that this responsibility was improperly handed to Hajara, who does not possess the required qualifications. Hajara reportedly pays 740,000 shillings monthly as part of her agreement with the district.
According to the Fisheries Act 2022 article 39, “A person shall not for purposes of trade move fish or fish products from one place to another unless he or she is in possession of a valid fish movement permit issued by a District Fisheries Officer”.
Concern has been raised about the health implications for consumers of fish from Rweshama Landing Site, given that the fish may not be subjected to the necessary health checks.
Bwambara Sub-County Speaker, Mr. Ahimbisibwe Hamzan, and other local leaders have expressed dismay over the district’s decision to transfer the authority of issuing fish movement permits away from the qualified fisheries officer. They allege that this action contravenes the Fisheries Act 2022 and has resulted in substantial revenue losses for the sub-county, which previously relied on landing fees and fish movement permits for local revenue.
The business community at Rweshama Landing Site has also raised issues about the state of the infrastructure at the site. Despite paying various taxes, they report that the infrastructure remains in poor condition, including roads, sanitary facilities, and fish drying facilities. The available toilets are reportedly inadequate and in poor conditions, leading some to resort to unsanitary practices. This situation raises concerns about potential waterborne diseases.
Additionally, there are allegations of illegal taxes at the landing site, with some individuals reportedly paying unreceipted fees to access the site. A businessman who preferred to remain anonymous revealed that even vendors selling non-fish products, such as bananas, are subjected to these illegal charges. This, he says, has negatively impacted household incomes in the area.
Local leaders also highlighted that Bwambara Sub-County is entitled to 25% of the revenue collected from the landing site, which is meant to improve infrastructure. However, they claim that this revenue sharing has not been properly implemented.
Efforts to reach CAO Hajji Masokoyi Waswa for comment were unsuccessful, as repeated calls to his office went unanswered.
The ongoing issues at Rweshama Landing Site have left residents and local leaders feeling frustrated and are calling for urgent government intervention to address their grievances.
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