Summary:
To cope with this loss, affected residents established Nyumba Landing Site, where over 50 fishermen and 40 fishing canoes operate daily. On average, fishermen earn about UGX 50,000 per day.
KISORO: Residents of Buhozi Parish, Busanza Sub County, Kisoro District have turned to illegal fishing as a means of survival after their farmlands were submerged due to the construction of the Kanyamateke Bridge.
The 2.093-kilometer bridge project began in April 2023, requiring water to be diverted from its original course. Unfortunately, the diverted waters flooded local gardens, submerging crops for nearly two years and creating a man-made lake now called Nyumba.
To cope with this loss, affected residents established Nyumba Landing Site, where over 50 fishermen and 40 fishing canoes operate daily. On average, fishermen earn about UGX 50,000 per day.
While fishing has become an alternative source of income, residents lament that out of the 2,000 people affected by the flooding, fewer than 200 have benefited, worsening poverty in the region.
CUE IN FISHERMEN…..ON FLOODS……RR//
One of the fishermen, Ntibarikure Philip, shared that while fishing provides some income, it cannot compare to the agricultural yields they previously depended on. He explained that many farmers had no choice but to take up fishing, as their land remains unusable.
CUE IN NTIBARIKURE……ON INCOME…..RR//
Meanwhile, Buhozi Parish LC3 Councilor Nelson Hashaka revealed that construction of the bridge was halted due to unpaid dues to the contractor. He urged the Ugandan government to settle the payments promptly so that residents can regain access to their farmlands.
CUE IN HASHAKA……ON BRIDGE……RR//
