The Wildlife Conservation Society is strengthening the capacities of Terekeka County fishermen through an indigenous NGO with the objective of forming a cooperative society.
Lokule Edward Yengi is a private consultant contracted by CEPO, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, to train 25 fishermen in Gemmeiza-Mangala Payam.He noted that the season for big fish has arrived and the fishermen have to get their nets from Uganda or Kenya because Sudan stopped trade with South Sudan.
Mr Edward said he is teaching fishermen to form a cooperative to address their issues using local resources.
He added that they should get help from outside only for situations they are no t able to resolve locally.
Simon Pitia Nyamboro is one of the local fishermen. He said he has been able to feed his family of eight with the money he gets and send the children to school.
He explained that in a normal day he is able to get 20 to 25 fish, including Nile perch.
Joseph Ladu, a CEPO community mobilizer, said the cooperative would also help to cut back on poachers and use fishing as the main source of food.
He added that since the project started last year, the rate of wild meat sold in markets has gone down.