Fishermen operating on Lake Albert in Kikuube District have been warned by the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Godwin Angalia, to desist from engaging in illegal fishing practices.

Angalia emphasized that only fishermen using government-approved boats and fishing nets will be permitted to operate at landing sites across the district, including Nkoondo I, Nkoondo II, Nyawaiga, and Sebigoro.

While addressing fishermen at Nkoondo I Landing Site in Kabwoya Sub-county and Buhuka Landing Site in Kyangwali Sub-county, Angalia reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting sustainable fishing practices in Uganda's waters.

He noted that enforcing fishing regulations is essential to protecting fish stocks, preserving aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring the long-term livelihoods of fishing communities.

The RDC presided over the election of the new executive according to the presidential directives that local and indigenous fishermen and women should be the only ones to manage the issues of fishing on the lakes.

He says the committees formed will help eliminate illegal fishing gear and also eliminate those who have been fishing in breeding grounds.

The elected members include a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, publicity director, defense director, and others.

John Kiburara, the Kikuube District Fisheries Officer, says that they are investigating to know where the illegal fishing gear comes from. He added that this new executive will help them a lot since they are from the ground and they know each other.

The new executive leaders have appreciated the Head of State's directives, saying that fish are now growing, and asked for more efforts on the lakes.