The drowning of an 18-year-old fisherman in Mayuge District has renewed calls for the government to reduce taxes on standard fishing gear, with fishing communities arguing that the high cost of boats and equipment is forcing many young fishermen onto Lake Victoria using unsafe vessels.
Isaac Isabirye, a resident of Busabala Landing Site in Jaguzi Island Sub-county, drowned on Monday after the small boat he was using for fishing capsized during strong early morning winds. His body was retrieved later in the evening, while his colleague, Jovan Mwesigwa, was rescued by fellow fishermen using a standard-sized boat. Mwesigwa received first aid at Busabala Landing Site before being transferred to a private clinic, where he is undergoing treatment.
The incident has reignited concerns over the affordability of standard fishing equipment among fishing communities. Busabala Landing Site Beach Management Committee Chairperson Alamanzani Kikomeko said many fishermen, particularly young people, cannot afford standard fishing boats and other approved gear.
According to Kikomeko, a standard fishing boat costs between Shs1.5 million and Shs2.2 million, an amount beyond the reach of many young fishermen who depend on daily earnings. He said the high-cost forces many to use small, unsafe boats that are easily overwhelmed by strong winds, exposing them to frequent water accidents. Kikomeko appealed to the government to reduce taxes on raw materials used in manufacturing standard fishing boats and equipment, saying lower prices would enable more fishermen to acquire safer gear. Another resident, Zabeth Kiwanuka, said the community records an average of three water-related accidents every week, although many go unreported because they are not fatal.
She urged the government to consider subsidising standard fishing gear, arguing that while regulations are necessary to protect fisheries resources, compliance remains difficult when approved equipment is beyond the financial reach of most fishermen. Fish farmer Stecia Namuli proposed that the Parish Development Model (PDM) be tailored to meet the needs of fishing communities by providing packages ranging between Shs5 million and Shs10 million to enable beneficiaries to purchase standard fishing gear or establish small-scale fish farming enterprises.
Namuli said a well-managed fishing enterprise can generate an average monthly profit of about Shs1.2 million, allowing beneficiaries to repay the funds within a year before the support is extended to other fishermen through a revolving scheme. Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the Marine Police continue to conduct regular safety sensitisation sessions for fishermen as part of efforts to reduce water-related accidents on the country’s water bodies-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
