40 Kenyans fined for illegal fishing with mosquito nets
The Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court has given 40 Kenyans a fine of UGX700,000 each or one-year prison sentence at Kitalya Prison for illegal fishing.
The Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu made the ruling after the group pleaded guilty and asked the court to pardon them.
Court heard that on 29th July while on Lake Victoria in Namayingo District, the Kenyans were found fishing without a valid license issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer for purposes of sale.
It is also alleged that on the same day, the accused persons, all residents of Wanya village at Uhaya Beach, were using mosquito nets to carry out their illegal acts of fishing.
40 Kenyans fined for illegal fishing with mosquito nets
They are Patrick Ojjambo, Stephen Odiambo, Samson Onyango, Paul Mboya, Masson Opondo, Michael Otieno, Vincent Wanga, Rober Okello, William Otieno, Wycliffe Onyango, Zake Obwaka, Dedan Ouma, Thomas Okoth, Benado Ogweno, Richard Omono, Daniel Owor, Kevin Audi, Kennedy Chenge, George Ouma, Benard Ocho and Kevin Odwor, Samson Odenga.
Others are Samson Owino, Francis Omondi, Eston Ogweno, Tom Otieno, Benjamin Duloch, Kervin Ochieng, James Juma Ragara, Collins Okado, Glen Washington Onyango, Denis Omondi Ojowa, Samson Omondi, Maurice Mulumba, Eric Kalanga Ochieng, Silas Omondi, Sephama Ochieng, Joel Odhiambo, Esau Dimo Opio and Chrisphine Juma Othieno.
The suspects pleaded guilty to the charges in July but were not convicted because State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi said he was not ready to read for them the brief facts of the case. They have since been on remand at Luzira Prison.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
