Dirisa Walusimbi, Unit Manager of the Gaba Beach Management, throws some light on the issue saying that there is a lot of smuggling along the Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo border, with traders transporting even immature fish through illegal border points and are escorted by armed men.
According to Walusimbi at Kamwokya and Nakawa markets, a kilogramme of Nile Perch costs sh5,000 from sh2,500, while an 11-inch fish costs between sh2,500 and sh3,000 from sh1,500. A little long fish between 16 and 17 inches costs between sh5000 and sh7000. He added that situation become grimmer by overfishing on Lake Victoria throughout the day and night.
He further said that there is acute shortage of fish in Gaba as the vendors have been purchasing fish from Busega. Now they have also stop buying fish because of high prices. Walusimbi said that the price of fish of two kilogrammes, which is used to cut fish fillets has risen from sh3,000 to sh7,000.
According to Walusimbi the use of small fishing nets (Kokota), which trap the immature fish, had worsened the situation. He cited an example that a mature Nile Perch must be 20 inches but the nets even trap those of 10 inches. They were being bought by the fish exporting firms but they have also put regulations to stop the act after realising that it is one of the reasons why there is a shortage.
Commenting on the allegations that the shortage of fish is due to over-exporting of fish Walusimbi said in March, the authority is launching an operation to arrest those who are trapping immature fish.
