The Government also restricted the use of solar and other forms of light in catching silver fish through a presidential directive issued in December 2025.
The Government has cleared the resumption of mukene fishing on Uganda’s water bodies but maintained the ban on the controversial hurry-up fishing method, while introducing stringent restrictions on fishing boats, nets, lighting and the number of people allowed on each vessel.
Under the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), fishermen will only be allowed to resume operations after securing licences and meeting a raft of conditions aimed at regulating the silver fish industry.
The measures are intended to address concerns over destructive fishing methods, environmental degradation and the social and economic impact of mukene fishing.
Presenting the guidelines at the Uganda Media Centre, Minister of State for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa said the new requirements would guide the registration and licensing of fishing vessels for the 2026/2027 fishing year.
However, the ministry has maintained the ban on lampara nets, including modified versions used in the hurry-up fishing method, which was prohibited in February 2024 over concerns about its effects on sustainable fishing.
The hurry-up method, which involves the use of modified lampara nets, will therefore remain prohibited even as fishermen prepare to resume mukene fishing under the new licensing arrangements.
The Government also restricted the use of solar and other forms of light in catching silver fish through a presidential directive issued in December 2025.
Under the new restrictions, each fishing boat must be at least 24 feet long and carry only one scoop net, locally known as chota chota, mounted on a wooden ring not exceeding five feet in diameter.
The nets must have a mesh size of at least eight millimetres, while the use of lampara nets and other panelled fishing equipment remains prohibited.
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The ministry has also restricted each fishing boat to a maximum of two kerosene-powered lanterns and two crew members.
Fishing will be permitted for only 14 days from the beginning of the dark phase of the moon each month. Fishermen will also be required to operate at least two kilometres away from the shoreline, fish breeding grounds and water bays.
Additionally, boats must return to their respective landing sites with their catches and fishing equipment on board.
To qualify for the resumption, boat owners must have held a silver fish fishing licence in at least one of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
The licensing process will start with Fisheries Management Committees at landing sites identifying and recommending eligible indigenous fishermen to District Fisheries Officers for assessment.
The district fisheries officers will inspect the boats and fishing equipment, verify ownership documents and assess compliance before forwarding applications to the Chief Fisheries Officer for approval.
Applicants will be required to present their national identity cards, previous fishing licences, proof of boat ownership and telephone contacts registered in their names.
Those whose applications are approved will be notified to pay the applicable licence fees within 21 days.
The ministry emphasised that being recommended by landing site leaders or having previously held a fishing licence does not automatically guarantee approval. The final authority to issue or reject licences remains with MAAIF.
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The guidelines also give traditional indigenous fishing communities preferential consideration when licences are issued in their respective areas. Foreign fishing vessels will not be allowed to operate in Uganda’s waters.
According to the licensing timetable, fishermen will be recommended for registration in November, followed by technical inspection and vetting between December 1 and 15.
The issuance of licences is scheduled to run from January 1 to March 31, while enforcement of the new requirements will take place from April 1 to December 31.
The ministry warned fishermen against resuming operations without the required licences and permits, saying compliance with the new conditions would be mandatory.
The guidelines will remain in force until more detailed regulations are issued under the newly gazetted fisheries regulations.