Kwania District Fisheries Office calls on fishermen to pay licence fees

7 April 2026, 1:41 pm

By Odur Alphonce

Authorities responsible for regulating fishing on Lake Kwania in Kwania District have called on fishermen to prepare to pay for the required fishing licences.

In an interview with our reporter, Ronald Otim, the Kwania District Acting Fisheries Officer, stated that the government had previously suspended the issuance of fishing licences during the election period for the President and Members of Parliament.

He clarified, however, that the process is now open for commercial fish traders to begin paying, and the general public should make preparations accordingly.

Otim urged fishermen to ensure they pay the required fees to support Uganda’s national development programmes.

He emphasized that once fishing activities resume on the lake, every fisherman must have all legally required equipment and documentation.

Calvine Amuta, a resident of Ingora, Alido in Chawente Sub county and a fisherman at Gweng landing site, noted that they received a report from Lake Kwania fishing officials regarding the required number of boats. According to the report, each landing site is allocated a specific number of boats; an individual is not permitted to own more than ten boats, and a single landing site must not exceed a total of 60 boats.

Geoffrey Oyomo, a member of the Agwiciri Alido Parish executive in Chawente and a fisherman at Gweng landing site, said that the new government fishing regulations are currently posing a challenge.

He explained that they are not earning as much as before because the government first needs to verify the costs of the required fishing gear and ensure that the equipment they intend to use is sufficiently profitable to support their families.