Uganda-DRC border residents want fish market back

The Mpondwe-Lhubiriha fish market along the Uganda-DR Congo border in Kasese district was dealt a blow when COVID-19 struck.

The market was temporarily closed in 2020 as a measure to curtail the spread of the global virus. 

Because of its closure on the Uganda side, the market was shifted across the border to the DR Congo side. The market has never 'returned' to Uganda two years and counting since the country reopened its borders.

Now, frustrated residents say they are facing untold suffering because the market is across the border.  

Zaituni Ayubu Ntumeli, 55, a mother of eight, says she is facing hardships in getting school fees for her children because she largely depended on the fish business at Mpondwe as her source of livelihood.

Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa the FPU commander assures the Uganda- DRC residents that the fish market will be back in Uganda in a month

"We have completely become poor. Because of this, one of my daughters was even impregnated because of staying at home," Zaituni says.

Sulaiman Machozi, a businessman, who is also the Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council NRM chairperson, says over 700 people, especially youths that would ensure an effective chain of distribution of fish including drivers and labourers are jobless and have become a threat to the community.

"Some are easily convinced to join ADF [Allied Democratic Forces] rebels because they are jobless," Machozi says.

"Many have become thieves and resorted to drug abuse since they are redundant," he adds.

Agnes Paska, a resident and businesswoman in DRC says it is only in Uganda that she can deal in mature fish which fetches her good money. According to her, Uganda has a favourable political and economic environment unlike DRC that is characterised by political instabilities.

LC3 Chairperson speaks out

Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council  LC3 chairperson Selevester Mapoze says while the market was on the Ugandan side, the authorities would collect over shillings 600 million per year in revenue. 

However, this has reduced to a paltry shilling 50 million, which according to him is frustrating service delivery for the people living in his area.

"This is one of the most crucial town councils in Kasese but see how we have failed to keep the town clean," Mapoze said.

"All the roads are in a sorry state and a bit impassable especially whenever it rains," he adds.

As Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council longs to have a municipality, Mapoze says he is optimistic that if the fish market comes back to Uganda, their dream will become a reality since they will be able to foster quick infrastructural development.

"Rehabilitating the roads will ease transport of goods to and from the DRC," he says.

The remarks were made during a monitoring exercise by the Uganda Army Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) on Monday, May 20, 2024.

FPU commander speaks out

FPU commander Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa said the Government spent over shillings seven billion to construct the Mpondwe Lhubiriha market to facilitate trade dealings, especially fish so that the people can ably earn a living.

"I am going to discuss this matter with the president and I am hopeful the market will be back in Uganda very soon," Tukahirwa added.

Mercy also revealed that the fish market operating in the DRC has led to the continued encroachment of DRC fishermen on the Ugandan waters especially on lakes shared by the two nations including Edward and Albert having depleted theirs due to lack or weak fishing rules and regulations.