By Derrick Ampereza
The office of resident district commissioner Rukungiri district on Tuesday handed 36 boat engines, 7 fishing boats, and fuel tanks that were seized from Congolese fishermen on Lake Edward by the UPDF Marine forces as illegal fishing equipment.
These equipment were handed over to the democratic republic of Congo authorities by the Rukungiri district Deputy RDC Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom at Rweshama landing site in Bwambara sub-county Rukungiri district.
Ongom said the exercise is part of the commitment by the Ugandan government to improve its relationships with its neighbors but warned them to stop the habit of crossing their borders with illegal fishing equipment.
Ahimbisibwe however said that the government will continue protecting its water bodies and arrest any persons engaged in illegal fishing activities.
Captain Julius Ankunda from the UPDF fisheries protection unit who is in charge of fighting illegal fishing at Lake Edward and Lake George said these boats were confiscated during their operations on the waters as marine security officers.
He added that they can’t keep quiet about illegal fishing on Ugandan water bodies because they want to protect fish species.
Kenneth Niwagaba the LC2 chairperson Rweshama parish Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district commended the UPDF fisheries protection unit for the good work they are doing in terms of fighting illegal fishing at Lake Edward.
