Hellen Adoa
Hellen Adoa (born 25 January 1977), is a Ugandan politician who serves as the Member of Parliament representing the women in Serere District in the 11th Ugandan Parliament (2016 to date). Effective 14 December 2019, she concurrently serves as the State Minister for Fisheries, in the Ugandan Cabinet.[1] She was appointed as the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (Fisheries)[2] on 27th March 2024
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[edit]- Well my interaction with the Committee went on very well; in fact I spent only 20 minutes with the Committee which was the least time spent on Appointees. I am optimistic that they will support my appointment.
- I have five things to embark on immediately I am sworn in by His Excellency the President of Uganda.
The first thing I will do is to meet all Members of Parliament that represent Fishing Communities. The purpose is for us to share experiences; Experiences of what our people have been doing in as far as fishing is concerned, experiences of UPDF activities in our Lakes and see if we can forge an amicable way forward. Secondly, I will meet UPDF Lake Protection Unit. In that meeting, I will want them to tell me what they have done, what they have achieved and what they think is the best way forward given that there is widespread condemnation of their activities. Thirdly, after meeting UPDF Lake Protection Unit, I will then meet Beach Management Units in all Lakes together with the respective fishermen. They should be able to tell me their experiences and recommendations.
- I know the fishermen and in fact they are one of my biggest support blocks. In my campaigns in 2016, I spoke to fishermen in Serere and they told me recommended fishing gear cost Shs40,000 each. To me, these can be afforded by fishermen. At that time I bought for them life jackets, so as you can see I already have a good working relationship with Serere fishermen.
- Lastly, I want to encourage aquaculture where fish farmers should have fish ponds and practice cage fish farming for those that are close to water bodies.
However to achieve this, government should subsidize on fish food prices because I have learnt that fish food is expensive and it is one reason farmers are scared of fish pond farming. Electricity Tariffs should also be reduced such that these farmers are encouraged to venture into alternative fish sources.
- I want to be categorical here. It is not true that the Lakes have been sold. These are God given resources that must benefit the host communities. I was personally educated through fish proceeds. UPDF has only been deployed to rescue the Lakes from bad fishermen, unscrupulous individuals and criminals who used to beat and rob genuine fishermen.
The UPDF must be appreciated for the work they have done. You should note that before UPDF entered the Lakes all fish factories had closed down because there was no longer fish as a raw material to sustain their operations. Now after the intervention of UPDF, four factories have already re-opened and we expect more to follow suit.
- I want to be categorical here. It is not true that the Lakes have been sold. These are God given resources that must benefit the host communities. I was personally educated through fish proceeds. UPDF has only been deployed to rescue the Lakes from bad fishermen, unscrupulous individuals and criminals who used to beat and rob genuine fishermen.
The UPDF must be appreciated for the work they have done. You should note that before UPDF entered the Lakes all fish factories had closed down because there was no longer fish as a raw material to sustain their operations. Now after the intervention of UPDF, four factories have already re-opened and we expect more to follow suit.
- I believe my appointment is genuine and if there is fire in the Ministry, then the President has confidence in me and knows I have the capacity to deal with that fire. You should also know that the best person to deal with the Fishing Industry should be one who has grown in a fishing community like me.
I also want to assure detractors who are saying I will lose my seat because I am superintending the sale of Lakes that they are wasting time. In 2016, I won in all Landing Sites in Serere and therefore those that will come saying I am being used to sell Lakes will lose miserably.