Member of Parliament Hon. Angwech Colline, representing Kyoga County in Amolatar District, has strongly appealed to the government. She wants them to establish a Fisheries Industrial Park in Amolatar to boost the local economy and create vital jobs, especially for young people.
Speaking to Parliament, MP Angwech explained that fishing is the absolute foundation of Amolatar’s economy. Thousands of families depend on Lake Kyoga for their survival, using fishing income to educate their children, access healthcare, and meet their daily needs. She believes that the government’s plans for industrial growth should directly support regions based on their existing strengths, and for Amolatar, that strength is undeniably fishing. A fish processing park would add value to their catch and offer new work opportunities.
The MP also called for an immediate re-evaluation of the recently introduced fishing regulations. She highlighted that the decision to allow only 30 boats per designated fishing site has left hundreds of fully licensed fishers without work. Many of these fishers had made significant personal sacrifices, selling their land and livestock, to invest in the necessary fishing equipment, only to be shut out by these new rules.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to protect fish stocks in Lake Kyoga, Angwech stressed that conservation must go hand-in-hand with practical support for affected communities. She argued that investing in a fisheries-based industrial hub would not only aid environmental protection but also significantly improve household incomes and contribute to Uganda’s broader economic success.