By : Our Reporter

Fish traders, particularly women and young people, have raised concerns over corruption, sexual exploitation, intimidation and costly clearance procedures along cross-border trade routes, calling for urgent government intervention to protect their businesses and livelihoods.

The traders say unofficial payments and other barriers are increasing the cost of doing business, with some traders reportedly abandoning the fish trade while others continue to incur losses.

The concerns were raised during the third National Women and Youth Dialogue on Cross-Border Fish Trade, convened by Wakili Trust and its partners in Arua. The participants urged government authorities to address the challenges and ensure the safe movement of traders and fish across borders.

Rachel Ajambo, the Country Team Leader at Wakili Trust, said the challenges affect women and youth engaged in cross-border fish trade across East Africa, disrupting their businesses and the wider fisheries value chain.

The traders cited corruption and cumbersome licensing and clearance procedures as some of the major obstacles to their operations. Women, in particular, said they face additional risks of sexual exploitation and intimidation at different stages of the fish value chain.

One female fish trader, who requested anonymity, called for urgent intervention to protect women from sexual abuse and exploitation in the sector.

Tonny Mathew, the chairperson of the Leudier and Goi Fish Traders Union, which supplies Arua Main Market with fish from South Sudan, said traders lose nearly 3,000 US dollars to multiple roadblocks along the Bor-Nimule route while transporting fish to Uganda.

The traders said such costs, particularly payments they consider inconsistent with established policies, undermine their businesses and make cross-border fish trade increasingly difficult.

They called on policymakers, regulators, security agencies, local leaders and development partners to take practical measures to eliminate the barriers and improve the safety of traders operating across borders

The participants also urged Uganda to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, to facilitate the movement of traders and goods once the required clearance procedures have been completed.

Rugadya Richard, the Principal Fisheries Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo had established a framework to facilitate fish trade between the two countries and protect traders.

He added that the Lakes Edward and Albert Fisheries and Aquaculture Organisation (LEAFAO), which operates across the two countries, was engaging communities to address challenges affecting the fisheries sector.