The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Mr Nandala Mafabi, has promised to ensure that fishing laws are enforced humanely if elected.
Speaking during a rally at Bwondha Primary School in Bwondha Town Council, Mayuge District, Mr Mafabi criticised the way the fishing laws are currently enforced on Lake Victoria and other water bodies, saying it unfairly deprives citizens of their livelihoods and infringes on their rights.
‘God blessed Busoga with these water bodies so that our people can sustain themselves through fishing. Even those from other regions, like Bugisu, should be free to come and earn a living from the lake,’ he said.
Mr Mafabi also blamed rampant poverty in Busoga Sub-region on President Museveni and the NRM government, saying they had abandoned the people in the sub-region.
He further accused leaders from Busoga of being self-seekers and asked locals to vote leaders who cared about them.
Mr Mafabi pledged that the FDC government would serve citizens diligently.
‘You are the bosses; we are the workers. Trust us with your votes for the next five years and we shall work for you, not rule over you,’ he said. He encouraged all Ugandans to fully participate in the forthcoming elections, saying: ‘The time to change the country is now.’
If elected into power, the residents said Mr Mafabi should address several concerns, including tarmacking of the Mayuge-Bwondha Landing Site road, elevating Mayuge Health Centre IV to district hospital, establishing a Health Centre IV in every constituency, and increasing the number of secondary schools in the district. Ever since the deployment of the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) on water bodies countrywide, locals have complained of alleged high-handedness by its members.
FPU members are also accused of extortion and engaging in illegal fishing. However, the FPU denies the accusation, saying it follows the law.