“When soldiers came here, my husband ran away and has never returned. He was scared because we were told that those men are ruthless. I sold part of my cassava to buy wheat flour and other ingredients for making mandazi. That is how I’m trying to help these children but a majority of people don’t have money to enable this business thrive”, she said.

Several men in Serere district have abandoned their responsibilities of providing for their families following the suspension of fishing activities on Lake Kyoga in January.

In villages like Owarakwap, Amoru and Ateng in Kadungulu Sub county, only a couple of men have remained home as majority have fled to manage life in the mushrooming trading centers. 

Betty Akono is a mother of seven children in Ajuba, one of the landing sites that was affected by the suspension of fishing activities. She now sells mandazi at the landing site to fend for her family.

“When soldiers came here, my husband ran away and has never returned. He was scared because we were told that those men are ruthless. I sold part of my cassava to buy wheat flour and other ingredients for making mandazi. That is how I’m trying to help these children but a majority of people don’t have money to enable this business thrive”, she said. 

At Kadungulu Town Council headquarters, many women have camped under a Mvule tree to roast cassava. Mary Ideta, a mother of ten says that both her husband and elderly boys have been rendered helpless after the suspension of fishing. 

The situation is similar in Bugondo and Labor sub counties, which are found along the shores of Lake Kyoga. It has forced some young men to resort into petty theft like stealing of chicken, goats, pigs and even food from their neighbors.

Florence Asero, the head of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Serere Central Police Station says some men have chased their wives due to the biting poverty at home. She notes that cases of domestic violence, child neglect and violence among others have slightly increased after the suspension of fishing. 

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However, residents were thrilled with news from the State Minister for Fisheries, Helen Adoa indicating that fishing activities will resume in a month’s time. Adoa broke the news during the belated women’s day celebrations held at Apuuton Primary School in Kadungulu Sub County in Serere district on Friday. 

She said that although government planned to reopen fishing activities in June, the situation among communities who have been relying on the lake is deteriorating. Adoa warned that much as fishing activities will resume, only recommended fishing gears will be allowed on the lake. 

She also revealed that the boat sizes have been revised from 28 inches to 26. 

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Gabriel Richard Atama, the Serere Chief Administrative Officer told our reporter that much as several activities including revenue collection have been affected, suspension of fishing on Lake Kyoga was a good move for the community and government. 

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More more than 1,000 fishing gears and boats were burnt to ashes in an operation by the Fish Protection Unit in Serere in the last two months.