State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa has engaged Members of Parliament representing districts around Uganda’s water bodies on proposed fisheries and aquaculture regulations aimed at rebuilding fish stocks and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

The engagement was held at the Kajansi Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Wakiso District, where MPs were briefed on the proposed regulations and strategic measures to improve the management of Uganda’s fisheries sector.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Migadde, who is also the Member of Parliament for Buvuma Islands County, focused on the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations, which are expected to be tabled before Cabinet for approval.
The proposed regulations seek to strengthen fisheries management, restore declining fish stocks and promote sustainable harvesting of fish in Uganda’s water bodies.
The MPs welcomed the proposed regulations, saying they were long overdue and could help address some of the challenges affecting fishing communities across the country.
Kyotera District Woman MP Fortunate Nantongo said fishing communities have been demanding regulations to support the implementation and enforcement of the Fisheries Act passed by Parliament.
“We are glad that we have been summoned for this engagement to ensure that the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations are put in place because we have many concerns in the fisheries sector that affect fishmongers and people surrounding fishing sites,” Nantongo said.
Nantongo also raised concerns about security in Kasensero, saying some residents in the area continue to lose their lives.
She said the new regulations should help create an environment where fishermen can carry out their activities peacefully while ensuring that fisheries resources are protected.
Mukono District Woman MP Sheila Amaniyo urged the government to clearly communicate to the public when the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations will come into force.
“My district covers water bodies, and many people are jobless because their economic activity of fishing was stopped by the government. We therefore demand that the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries tells the public when the regulations will be enforced,” Amaniyo said.
Kyamuswa County MP in Kalangala District Carol Birunji thanked the government for considering the concerns of fishermen and fishing communities.
Birunji welcomed the minister’s commitment to ensuring that the proposed regulations remain on the Cabinet agenda.
Minister Migadde said MPs were invited to the engagement because they play an important role in the regulatory process and have direct interaction with communities affected by fisheries policies.
He said MPs must be part of the process because they understand the concerns of the people in their constituencies and can help communicate the proposed regulations to the public.
The engagement comes as government seeks to strengthen the management of Uganda’s fisheries resources while balancing conservation with the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing and aquaculture.