A homemade explosive has killed a fisherman in Butagaya sub-county in Jinja district. 36-year-old Sadik Gavuma, a fisherman based at Bubugo landing site was killed the home day grenade burst and shattered Gavuma’s body to pieces this morning while pushing his boat into River Nile.
Fishermen normally connect the explosive on their boats to keep away dangerous animals and also use it produce strong light to attract fish. The explosive comprises of old batteries, radio transistors and small bulbs. Abel Wangola, a colleague to the deceased says he heard a huge blast from the deceased’s boat but was unable to save him.
“I couldn’t do anything to save him as he was already heading to the river,” he said.
Adding that, “It is unfortunate that our colleague has passed away. Fish has become scarce due to the high number of fishermen. If you don’t employ these small electric wires and bulbs no fish species can be attracted to your net,” he says.
Abdullah Suuta, the Butagaya LC III chairperson told URN that their efforts to stop fishermen from using grenades are frustrated by the availability of cheap materials used by locals to produce them. He explained that electric wires and bulbs cost only Shs 1800, which is affordable to fishermen.
Henry Mugarura, the Kiira North Division police commander, says that community policing drives aimed at sensitizing masses on the legal implications for those involved in making grenades are underway.
He says detectives have been dispatched to communities and whoever fails to comply shall be arrested. Meanwhile the deceased has been taken to Jinja regional referral hospital mortuary, awaiting postmortem.