Caritas Uganda wants Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill to be pro women, pro youths

By Ben Musanje

12^th Nov 2021

Caritas Uganda, the overall coordinating body for the socio-economic development of the Uganda Episcopal Conference wants the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2021 to consider promoting the poor people and be pro women and pro youths.

The bill is before the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries undergoing scrutiny with the legislators sought to have a number of amendments in it, most notably restricting a member of the surveillance unit on improper fishing to exercise their powers of entry and mounting a search only in the presence of an LC 1 representative.

Legislatures also believe that the bill have issues that need to harmonized like fishing methods, equipment, fishing jurisdictions, taxation and preservation methods.

Msgr. Francis Ndamira, the National Director of Caritas Uganda says that the government, parliament and the stakeholders should ensure that the Bill is a pro women, pro youth and considers the poor.

Joyce Nyeko Ikwaput, the Acting Director of Fisheries Resources in the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – MAAIF says they intend to have the bill accommodate every person that is dealing in fisheries and aquaculture.

This was during the National Dialogue on fisheries and aquaculture in Kampala that also involved the celebration of World Fish Day.