Good news for Kenyan fishers as Uganda considers tariff review on L Victoria

Ugandan minister for EAC Affairs Julius Maganda Wandera at the official launch on cross-border collaboration in Busia, Uganda, on August 23, 2018. He said review of fishing tariffs on Lake Victoria is right on schedule. PHOTO | GAITANO PESSA | NMG 

Summary

• Non-citizens fishing in Uganda's waters pay an annual fee of Ush2 million (about Sh54,000) per vessel.
• The announcement is a welcome note for Kenyan fisher folk who last week appealed to the government to initiate fresh bilateral talks with Kampala to remove the fees.
• Kenyan fishermen have been on the forefront opposing the fees and have on several occasions accused Ugandan marine officers of subjecting them to harassment by arresting them and ordering them to "eat raw fish.”

Ugandan authorities have hinted at repealing high fishing tariffs imposed on non-citizens to discourage fishermen from venturing in its waters in Lake Victoria.

Non-citizens fishing in Uganda's waters must part with an annual fee of Ush2 million (about Sh54,000) per vessel, according to the country's fishing regulations.

Uganda State minister for East Africa Community Affair Julius Wandera Monday said the review of the said tariff is right on schedule after its implementation more than two years ago.

READ: Kenyan fishermen want State mediation over Uganda's high tariffs

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“It was a trial kind of regulation on the lake in terms of tariffs. The council of ministers on trade and finance is in Arusha (Tanzania) to discuss the common external tariffs they had drafted as a policy,” said Mr Wandera.

The push for the review, he added has been topping the agendas of civil society groups, traders and other interested parties who said the fees are exorbitant.

“Soon we will be announcing new measures that are agreeable to all member partner states especially on water and land tariffs that already exist and need review. If we agree on the details we will give it another period to see the successes of their implementation,” he added.

Appeal to government

The announcement is a welcome note for Kenyan fisher folk who last week appealed to the government to initiate fresh bilateral talks with Kampala to remove the fees.

However, it not yet clear whether Uganda authorities will go ahead with implementation of the tariffs after they gave fishermen one-month ultimatum to remit the fees of risk being arrested.

The deadline lapses on August 31.

Kenyan fishermen have been on the forefront opposing the fees and have on several occasions accused Ugandan marine officers of subjecting them to harassment by arresting them and ordering them to "eat raw fish.”

“These tariffs have limited our movement in the lake for fear of being arrested by Uganda marine officers. Such regulations defeat the spirit of East African Community,” said Budalangi-based Omena Beach Management Unit Chairperson Felix Musee in an interview with the Nation last week.

Mr Tom Guda, the Chairman of Lake Victoria Beaches Association, last week promised to push for the review of the regulations in a bid to encourage a fair playing ground and promote cohesion.

The fees are said to have arrived at by both countries with Kenya being the first to enforce it.