/ 28 August 2000

UGANDA RISKS EU’S FISHY WRATH

BARELY a month after the European Union (EU) a fish export ban on Uganda, there are growing fears that the ban could be reinstated. A local newspaper reported that the country is behind schedule in implementing changes laid down by the EU geared to bring the fishing industry in line with their regulations. Dr James Mutende, an Investment Executive with the UIA, said the government had delayed releasing the US$116 200 needed to modernise landing sites, fish processing and documentation required by the EU. The fish export ban was imposed on Uganda in March last year due to poor hygiene, sanitation and the discovery of high levels of pesticides in the fishing waters. It is estimated that the ban cost the country close to US$100m in total.