Dozens of fishermen and dealers in Buvuma District are left idle as the government’s recent ban on silverfish, locally known as “Mukene,” disrupts their livelihoods.
The enforcement of this ban, aimed at preserving fish stocks, has had an unintended consequence, it’s obstructing the effective rollout of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program in the district.
According to Isa Mbooge, the Chief Administrative Officer of Buvuma, the district is grappling with substantial amounts of unutilised PDM funds.
This financial standstill is largely because many of the program’s intended beneficiaries are directly involved in the silverfish trade, which has been restricted.
As a result, their inability to engage in their usual fishing activities is stalling the program’s progress and leaving valuable resources tied up.
At a recent budget consultation conference in Masaka City, Isa Mbooge revealed that Buvuma District has struggled to distribute Parish Development Model (PDM) funds effectively, managing to allocate less than 20% of the available money over the past three years.
Mbooge explained that this problem is partly due to logistical issues like transportation difficulties, outdated data collection tools, and poor internet connectivity.
The situation has been made worse by the ban on Mukene fishing, which is a major source of income for many people in Buvuma.
The district has received a total of Ugx7.8 billion for the PDM program but has only distributed 3.8 billion shillings.
Funds from the last financial year remain untouched. The Ministry of Agriculture imposed the ban on Mukene fishing to prevent overfishing, but this restriction has disrupted local businesses tied to the fishing industry.
The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has been enforcing the ban, often facing criticism for its strict methods.
Because of the fishing ban, local development committees are unable to distribute funds to applicants involved in Mukene-related businesses, forcing them to look for alternative income sources.
Buvuma’s island location adds to the difficulty, with transport issues and a lack of banking services making it harder to access and manage the PDM funds.
Mbooge has suggested that the government should provide extra support for Buvuma, such as additional operational funds and equipment, to help improve the implementation of the PDM program.
In response, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo has urged local leaders to do everything possible to ensure the program succeeds.
The Ministry of Finance plans to send experts to Buvuma to assist with PDM implementation and enhance efficiency.
This situation in Buvuma underscores the challenges that arise from balancing local economic needs, government regulations, and development program execution.
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