The government has restricted mukene fishing to 14 days each month and introduced new licensing requirements for fishing vessels as part of efforts to regulate fishing activities on Uganda’s water bodies.
State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa announced the measures at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, outlining new guidelines for fishers targeting mukene, ragoogi and muziri.
Under the new rules, fishing will be allowed for only 14 days from the beginning of the moon’s dark phase each month.
Fishing vessels must also operate at least two kilometres from the shoreline and keep away from fish breeding grounds and other restricted areas.
The government has maintained the ban on solar-powered fishing lights and lampara nets. Each vessel will be permitted to use a maximum of two kerosene-powered lanterns and one scoop net with a mesh size of at least eight millimetres.
The guidelines also require fishing boats to measure at least 24 feet in length and carry no more than two crew members.
Previous licensing record required
Ndugwa said eligibility for the new licences would be limited to fishers who held a silver fish fishing licence in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
Boat owners must present their vessels and fishing equipment for inspection before receiving licences. They will also be required to provide proof of Ugandan citizenship, ownership of the fishing vessel and previous fishing licences.
The licensing process will involve several stages. Landing Site Fisheries Management Committees will first recommend eligible applicants to District Fisheries Officers for verification.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries will then review the applications and grant final approval.
The guidelines also give traditional fishing communities preferential access to licences within their respective areas. Foreign fishing vessels will remain prohibited from operating in Ugandan waters.
Licensing schedule and enforcement
The ministry has outlined an annual licensing process beginning with recommendations in November, followed by vessel and equipment inspections in December.
Licensing will take place between January and March.
The government has directed fishers to stop operating without valid licences and warned that enforcement agencies will monitor compliance with the new requirements.
The measures introduce restrictions on fishing days, vessel specifications, equipment and licensing in an effort to regulate the harvesting of silver fish and other small pelagic species.
