Sulaiman Kaweesa, a businessman in Kalungu district known for posing as an agent of senior security and government officials is wanted for dealing in banned fishing gear and immature fish.
The head of the Wildlife, Utilities, and Standards Court Gladys Kamasanyu has instructed the Fisheries Protection Unit to pursue Kaweesi who is currently on the run to answer to the charges of participating in illegal fishing and trading in immature fish, causing huge losses to the country.
Kaweesa was reportedly found in possession of over 60 tons of immature and undersized Nile perch fish, 1,872 monofilament nets, and 26 bags of beach seine nets which he had hidden in his home at Kambulala village, Kyamulibwa Town council in Kalungu district.
Joseph Kasumba, the Kalungu District Assistant Fisheries Officer told the court court session held at Kissijagirwa army barracks in Masaka on Thursday evening, that they seized the exhibits during an intelligence-led operation conducted last week.
The court heard that Kaweesa was a habitual offender who had deployed over 40 boats at Kamuwunga, Kamulegu, Kalangala, Ggolo, and Namirembe landing sites in Kalungu and Mpigi districts with impunity. Kasumba added that during their operation, Kaweesa fled and they only arrested one of his workers identified as Denis Ssemanda whom they found sorting immature fish for the market.
While granting an application for the destruction of recovered exhibits, the court also instructed the Fisheries Protection Unit and Police to pursue Kaweesa and have him prosecuted for the crimes he committed.
Lieutenant Lauben Ndifuna, the Fisheries Protection Unit Spokesperson says they are tracking Kaweesa through his allies and he is optimistic that they will soon have him arrested. He is also positive that the arrest will support them in subduing the notorious cartel that is profiting from illegal fishing.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022, prescribes a punishment of at least eight years without an option of a fine to any person convicted of engaging in prohibited fishing practices. The same law grants a punishment of three years imprisonment or 40 million Shillings to a person convicted of selling or found in possession of undersize fish.
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