Fisheries resource governance and livelihoods in Namasagali sub-county, Kamuli district.

Abstract

The aim of this study was examine fisheries resource governance and livelihoods of the people in Namasagali Sub-county. The specific objectives were to: assess fisheries resource contribution to the livelihoods of the people in Namasagali Sub-county and to suggest recommendations for the improvement in the fisheries resource governance in that area. This involved use of questionnaires covering 50 respondents i.e. 10 in each landing site and trading centre. Data collected was analysed using SPSS. The research findings indicate that the BMUs are the institutions responsible for fisheries governance. There is a lot of laxity, inconsistencies, discrimination and lack of transparency in these institutions. Some of the fisher folk are not aware of the activities or these institutions. The study concludes that the BMUs are very inefficient in ensuring proper management of the fisheries resource, and these affects peoples’ livelihoods negatively. Therefore, the researcher recommends that there should be stronger rules and regulations governing use of the resource, the procedures for licensing and registration should be transparent. BMUs should be well empowered financially, mass awareness of the fisher folk needs to be done, licences should be issued on a quota basis and a saving and credit scheme among fisher folk should be promoted.