Conservation efforts pay off as number of Reformed fishermen on Lake Mutanda increase.

By Alex Gahima

More than 60 household heads in Rutaka parish, Kirundo Sub County, Kisoro district have expressed great appreciation towards Lake Mutanda Eco Lodge Chameleon Hill for its efforts towards fighting illegal fishing on Lake Mutanda.

The reformed fishermen yesterday officially embraced and received some new members into the fold during a thanksgiving function at Gisharu Primary School.

Athirst and bright eyed, the new converts vowed never to turn back to their old ways of capturing immature fish in the lake despite well knowing, that it is illegal.

One of the new recruits, Alex Muhawe, says he was at loggerheads with district fisheries officer Denis Agaba and other security personnel who tried several times to capture and arrest him.

Muhawe says the idea of giving the illegal and dangerous act dawned on him one evening, and he knew he had to take action to change his life.

“It had been several weeks without me running into my fishing friends at the lake and I couldn’t help but wonder, what happened to them, had they been caught? Or was fishing no longer profitable venture for them, Muhawe explains.

“I later realized, Muhawe adds that, “most of my friends had decided to abandon illegal fishing and instead managed to work closely with Chameleon Hill to access finances and other logistics to help them live a better and more meaningful life, it was therefore time for me to hang up the mosquito net”, said an excited Muhawe.

Muhabwe’s story is one among many. Life for many local residents living along the shores of Lake Mutanda revolved around illegal fishing.

A total of 9 Million Ugandan shillings was availed to the new members who were advised to first identify other eco- friendly economic activities, make a financial plan and requisition for funds to start projects.

Chameleon Hill General Manager Charles Nkoba says, more than 26 million shillings has been saved up by the reformed fishermen group.

“The Fishermen decide what they want to do and we simply offer guidance and expect that 2% should be returned in order to allow others access similar financing”, Nkoba explained.

Chameleon hill Lodge owner Doris Meixner says the Lodge hopes to serve as a bridge between the communities and nature.

The 2020- 2021 Traveler’s Choice Lodge by Trip advisor also offers comfortable accommodation, great food and picturesque scenery of Lake Mutanda and the Virungas. (https://www.chameleonhill.com/)

The German- South African with a heart for Uganda says it is vital for communities living along the lake shores of Mutanda to find alternative lifestyle programs to preserve entire biodiversity along the lake.

The thanksgiving function also provided a great opportunity to hand over a 10,000 liter water tank to the community that has often struggled with access to safe, clean water.

Kisoro district Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rita Elizabeth Byiringiro commended Chameleon Hill for honoring its Social Corporate Responsibility which has benefitted the communities along the lake shores of Mutanda.

Wetland degradation affects fish stocking

 Senior Environmental Officer Judith Muja revealed that fish stocking on Lake Mutanda is currently not possible due to poor farming practices including cultivating in the wetlands.

Muja explained that despite the community’s plea for fish stocking in Lake Mutanda, Government will not waste its resources because the shorelines have been degraded.

The NEMA act of 2019 states that 200 meters from the water shoreline should be preserved as a buffer zone.

She further noted that due to poor farming practices along the lakeshores, most of the fish in the lake is malnourished.

“We now depend on fish from Masaka because the fish from our lake are not sizeable and not as nutritious. A kilo of fish from Masaka costs between UGX 15,000 and 20,000”, Muja explained

Kisoro district Fisheries Officer Dennis Bilungi explained that in June this year, the district passed a resolve to ban fishing on the lakes of Kayombu and Chahafi for the next two years because of gross illegal fishing.

Agaba says, fishermen were using mosquito nets to get immature fish and this was unacceptable.

“I wish to thank Chameleon Hill for its unique approach in changing community mindsets towards illegal fishing by providing them an avenue to access financing for other projects, Agaba said.