In a recent ruling at Katwe Kabatooro Town Council, six individuals were sentenced to twelve months in prison for transporting immature fish. The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) intercepted the accused at a checkpoint in Kasese District while they were en route to the Uganda-Congo border with six tonnes of immature fish.

Following a court order, the fish were destroyed by burning. The court proceedings, presided over by Grade Two Magistrate His Worship Kabyanga Stephen, saw the accused plead guilty and receive their sentences. Local leaders and the FPU have urged the community to refrain from engaging in the illegal fish trade in order to protect Uganda's fisheries.

The court, which sat on Friday in Katwe Kabatooro Town Council, remanded six individuals to Katwe Prison for carrying and transporting immature fish. The accused appeared before Grade Two Magistrate His Worship Kabyanga Stephen, pleaded guilty, and sought forgiveness.

His Worship Kabanga Stephen ruled that each individual would serve a sentence of twelve months in prison, noting that they had not wasted the court's time.

His Worship Stephen further directed that the mature fish be returned to their rightful owners, while the immature fish should be destroyed by burning.

In an interview with COU Family TV, FPU Intelligence Officer Maj. Joseph Cherop, representing Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, the FPU commander, urged the business community to refrain from engaging in immature fish trading.

Local leaders in Kasese District praised the efforts of the Fisheries Protection Unit under the command of Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa. They also urged individuals involved in the fish trade to refrain from buying and selling immature fish.

The burning of six tons of immature fish in Muhokya Town Council was witnessed by local leaders and residents of the area.