FIELD DOCUMENT NO. 2
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF LAKES VICTORIA AND ALBERT FISHERIES: THE 1991 FISHIN' COMMUNITY SURVEY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF LAKES VICTORIA AND ALBERT FISHERIES: THE 1991 FISHIN' COMMUNITY SURVEY
| Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (FISHIN) | UGA/87/007 Field Doc. No.2 |
FAO/UNDP PROJECT UGA/87/007
FISHIN NOTES AND RECORDS
| FIELD DOCUMENT NO. 2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF LAKES VICTORIA AND ALBERT FISHERIES: THE 1991 FISHIN' COMMUNITY SURVEY |
By
J.Eric Reynolds & Jessica S. Kitakule
With the Assistance of C.T. Kerema-Mukasa & P. S. Kisaamo
| FISHIN - UGA/87/007 | 1991 |
The conclusions and recommendations given in this and other reports in the UGA/87/007 Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (FISHIN') series are those considered appropriate at the time of preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the Project. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the United Nations Development Programme nor the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the determination of its frontiers or boundaries.
ABSTRACT
This document provides an overview of community survey activities conducted during 1991 by the Socio-Economic Working Group of the FISHIN' Project. A major exercise was designed and implemented for Lake Victoria-Uganda and a pilot exercise was carried out for northern Lake Albert-Uganda. Survey organisation, sampling strategy, and data compilation and analysis for the Lake Victoria work are described and a review of basic findings presented. Introductory remarks on Lake Albert are provided in a later section. Recommendations concerning further socio-economic survey activities and database use are made in the concluding section, along with suggestions for measures to be taken with regard to planning and development for Lake Victoria communities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Field Document has been prepared by Dr. John-Eric Reynolds, Project Socio-Economic Advisor, and Ms. Jessica S. Kitakule, National Project Consultant (Community Survey), with the assistance of Ms. Caroline T. Kirema-Mukasa and Mr. Paul S. Kisaamo, National Counterpart Economists, Uganda Fisheries Department. It reports on sample survey work around the Uganda sector of Lake Victoria between March and May 1991, and on pilot work at selected sites on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert in August 1991. The work was carried out as one of the planned component activities of FAO/UNDP Project UGA/87/007, Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (FISHIN').
The authors would like to acknowledge the kind assistance of Mr. S.K. Gupta, Chief Technical Advisor of World Bank/UNDP Project UGA/91/R02, Social Dimensions of Adjustment Survey, for his advice on questions of sampling strategy, case weighting, and data analysis. Mr. Tom Emwanu, Data Processing Analyst, Statistics Department, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Entebbe, helped with setting up the computer processing work. Thanks are also due to Mr. Philip Gachuki, CTA of FAO/UNDP Project UGA/88/002, National Census of Agriculture and Livestock, along with Dr. S. Young and Messrs. Kiwesi and Magezi of the same Project, for their advice on sample survey questions and assistance with computer programme documentation. Valuable help with data entry tasks was also rendered by Ms. Margaret Masette, Fisheries Officer, Department of Fisheries, Entebbe. Special appreciation goes to the many Uganda Fisheries Department field staff -- Fisheries Assistants and Assistant Fisheries Development Officers -- who attended Project training courses and served as enumerators during the survey.
Acknowledgement is due most of all to the residents of the fishing communities of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert who patiently gave of their time to sit for interviews and generally to assist the survey team in its work. It is hoped that this document will contribute to a better understanding of community circumstances and the conditions under which Ugandan fisherfolk live and work.
-- E.J. Coenen
CTA
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1.1 Survey Organisation and Objectives, Lake Victoria
1.2 Sample Selection and Sample Case Weightings
1.2.1 Sample selection
1.2.2 Weighting of sample data
1.3 Data Processing and Analysis
1.3.1 Accuracy: sampling and non-sampling errors
1.3.2 Scope for further analysis of the survey data
2. LAKE VICTORIA-UGANDA FISHING COMMUNITIES
2.1 Settlement Patterns, Access to Land, and Community Size
2.2 Community Growth and Development
2.3 Problems of Development
2.4 Community Services and Amenities
2.5 Community Organisations
2.5.1 The Gabunga or ‘Head Fisher’
2.5.2 Co-operative societies
2.6 Women's Involvement in Income-Generating Activities
2.7 Group Perceptions of Local Health Problems
3. LAKE VICTORIA COMMUNITY RESIDENTS
3.1 Community Population and Household Size
3.2 Community Household Heads
3.2.1 Gender, age, and origins
3.2.2 Education, occupation, and income
4. LAKE VICTORIA HOUSEHOLD STANDARDS OF LIVING AND WELFARE
4.1 Dwellings and Domestic Amenities
4.2 Patterns of Household Food Consumption and Farm Production
4.3 Main Household Expenses and Welfare Problems
5. LAKE VICTORIA COMMUNITY FISHER ENTERPRISES
5.1.1 Distribution of boat and propulsion types
5.1.2 Distribution of gear types and fishing effort
5.2 Fishing Crew and Labourers
5.3 Fish Processors and Traders
5.4 Enterprise Patterns, Problems, and Prospects
5.4.1 Sales of fresh and processed fish
5.4.2 Sales to types of buyers
5.4.3 Fisher income levels
5.4.4 Business/job problems
5.4.5 Business/job prospects and years of work
5.4.6 Action for improvement: local versus Government initiatives
6. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON LAKE ALBERT FISHING COMMUNITIES
6.1 Pilot SEC Community Survey Work
6.2 The Fisheries and Fishers of Lake Albert
6.2.1 Overview
6.2.2 Target species and fishing routines
6.2.3 Fish marketing
6.3 Sketches of Fishing Villages Visited
6.3.1 Wanseko
6.3.2 Karakaba
6.3.3 Kabolwa
6.3.4 Bugoigo
6.3.5 Butiaba
6.4 Northern Lake Albert Communities: A General Appraisal
6.4.1 Settlement Patterns, Access to Land, and Community Size
6.4.2 Community Growth and Development
6.4.3 Problems of Development
6.4.4 Community Services and Amenities
6.4.5 Community Organisations
6.4.6 Women's Involvement in Income-Generating Activities
6.4.7 Group Perceptions of Local Health Problems
6.5 Future SEC Survey Activities for Lake Albert Communities
7.1.1 Development of community survey model
7.1.2 Lake Victoria-Uganda SEC Community database
7.1.3 Lake Victoria-Uganda communities
7.1.4 Lake Victoria-Uganda community residents
7.1.5 Lake Victoria-Uganda community fisher enterprises
7.1.6 Pilot SEC investigations of Lake Albert-Uganda communities
7.2.1 Continuation and extension of community survey coverage
7.2.2 Use of the SEC community database
7.2.3 Planning and development for Lake Victoria communities
1. SECSURV CASE WEIGHTING FACTORS, SAMPLE COMMUNITIES & HOUSEHOLDS, L. VICTORIA(U)
2. L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES BY SETTLEMENT TYPE
3. LAND OWNERSHIP STATUS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
4. TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLINGS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
5. ESTIMATED POPULATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL SETTLEMENTS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
6. REPORTED PATTERNS OF GROWTH OVER LAST FIVE YEARS BY REASON FOR CHANGE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
7. GROUP PERCEPTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
8. DISTANCES FROM MAIN/TRUNK ROAD, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
9. ACCESSIBILITY RATINGS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
10. L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES, VICINITY SERVICES/AMENITIES
11. LOCAL FISHERS' ORGANISATIONS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
12. WOMEN'S INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
13. GROUP PERCEPTIONS OF MAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
14. ESTIMATED TOTAL POPULATION BY REGION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
15. POPULATION BY REGION, GENDER, AND AGE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
16. HH HEADS BY REGION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
17. HH HEADS BY AGE AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
18. HH HEADS BY REPORTED ETHNIC GROUP, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
19. NATIVITY OF HH HEADS BY YEARS RESIDENT, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
20. HH HEAD LENGTH OF RESIDENCE BY REASON FOR EMIGRATION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
21. HH HEAD LEVELS OF FORMAL EDUCATION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
22. HH HEADS BY LEVELS OF FORMAL EDUCATION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
23. TOTAL ADULT POPULATION BY LEVELS OF FORMAL EDUCATION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
24. HH HEADS BY REPORTED MAIN OCCUPATION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
25. HH HEADS BY REPORTED SECOND OCCUPATION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
26. HH HEADS BY MAIN OCCUPATION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
27. HH HEADS BY SECOND OCCUPATION AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
28. HH HEADS BY INCOME LEVEL (UShs/Month) AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
29. HH HEADS BY INCOME (UShs/Month) AND FORMAL EDUCATION LEVELS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
30. HH HEADS BY INCOME LEVEL AND REGION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
31. HOUSEHOLD DWELLING TYPES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
32. HOUSEHOLD DWELLINGS BY NUMBER OF ROOMS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
33. HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF COOKING FACILITIES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
34. HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF LIGHTING SOURCE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
35. HOUSEHOLDS BY SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
36. HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF SANITARY UNIT, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
37. HOUSEHOLD OWNERSHIP SELECTED CONSUMER GOODS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
38. HOUSEHOLD DIETS -- NORMAL STARCHY FOOD AND VEGETABLE COMPONENTS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
39. HOUSEHOLD DIETS -- NORMAL FISH, MEAT, AND POULTRY COMPONENTS, VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
40. HOUSEHOLD DIETS -- TYPES OF FISH CONSUMED, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
41. HOUSEHOLD DIETS -- STATED FISH CONSUMPTION PREFERENCES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
42. HOUSEHOLD FOOD PRODUCTION -- PROPORTIONS RAISING ANY CROPS OR LIVESTOCK, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
43. HOUSEHOLD FOOD PRODUCTION -- TYPES OF CROPS RAISED, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
44. HOUSEHOLD FOOD PRODUCTION -- TYPES OF LIVESTOCK RAISED, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
45. HOUSEHOLD FOOD STATUS -- REPORTED INCIDENCE OF SCARCITY DURING THE YEAR, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
46. HOUSEHOLD FOOD STATUS -- REASONS CITED FOR ANY FOOD SCARCITY DURING THE YEAR, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
47. HOUSEHOLD EXPENSE RANKINGS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
48. PRINCIPAL HOUSEHOLD WELFARE PROBLEMS CITED, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
49. BOAT OWNERS AND OPERATORS BY TYPE AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
50. FISHING BOAT TYPES BY PROPULSION TYPES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
51. APPROXIMATE PROPORTIONS OF GEAR TYPES IN USE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
52. REPORTED GILLNET FLEET SIZES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
53. REPORTED MAIN TARGET SPECIES/COMBINED TARGET SPECIES, ALL L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING BOAT OWNERS/OPERATORS
54. BOATDAYS/YEAR INTERVAL ESTIMATES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
55. ESTIMATED CREW SIZE FREQUENCIES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
56. CREW/LABOURERS BY TYPE AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
57. CREW/LABOURERS BY TERMS OF PAYMENT, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
58. CREW SHARE-OF-CATCH LEVELS (PERCENT), L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
59. PROCESSORS/TRADERS BY TYPE AND GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
60. PROBLEMS WITH FUELWOOD SUPPLIES REPORTED BY FISH SMOKERS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
61. REPORTED DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN FISH SALES BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
62. FREQUENCY OF SALE OF FRESH FISH BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
63. FREQUENCY OF SALE OF SMOKED FISH BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
64. FREQUENCY OF SALE OF DRIED FISH BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
65. FREQUENCY OF SALE TO PRIVATE BUYERS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
66. FREQUENCY OF SALE TO TRADERS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
67. FREQUENCY OF SALE TO LOCAL PROCESSORS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
68. FREQUENCY OF SALE TO FISH PLANTS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
69. LEVEL OF MONTHLY EARNINGS (UShs) BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
70. BUSINESS/JOB PROBLEMS CITED BY OWNERS/OPERATORS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
71. BUSINESS/JOB PROBLEMS CITED BY CREW/LABOURERS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
72. BUSINESS/JOB PROBLEMS CITED BY PROCESSORS/TRADERS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
73. VIEW OF BUSINESS/JOB AS BECOMING ‘BETTER’/‘WORSE’ BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
74. VIEW OF WHY BUSINESS/JOB BECOMING ‘WORSE’ BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
75. NUMBER OF YEARS IN BUSINESS/JOB FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
76. OWNER/OPERATOR VIEW OF WORK BY YEARS IN WORK, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
77. CREW/LABOURER VIEW OF WORK BY YEARS IN WORK, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
78. PROCESSOR/TRADER VIEW OF WORK BY YEARS IN WORK, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
79. REASONS CITED FOR CONTINUING IN WORK BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
80. VIEWS OF LOCAL ACTIONS TO TAKE FOR IMPROVING BUSINESS/WORK CONDITIONS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
81. VIEWS OF ACTIONS GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE FOR IMPROVING BUSINESS/WORK CONDITIONS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
1. FISHERIES REGIONS OF UGANDA
2. SKETCH MAP OF LAKE VICTORIA-UGANDA
3. SKETCH MAP OF LAKE ALBERT-UGANDA
4. REPORTED COMMUNITY GROWTH L. VICTORIA(U) LAST 5 YEARS
5. COMMUNITY ACCESS, L. VICTORIA(U)
6. GENDER COMPOSITION OF POPULATION PER REGION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
7. POPULATION BY AGE & GENDER L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
8. GENDER COMPOSITION OF HH HEADS PER REGION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
9. HH HEAD AGE & GENDER COMPOSITION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
10. HH HEAD ETHNIC COMPOSITION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
11. NATIVITY OF HH HEADS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
12A. EMIGRANT HH HEAD LENGTH OF RESIDENCE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
12B. EMIGRANT LENGTH OF RESIDENCE BY REASON CAME, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
13. HH HEADS BY FORMAL EDUCATION & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
14. ALL ADULTS FORMAL EDUCATION & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
15. MAIN OCCUPATIONS HH HEADS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
16. SECOND OCCUPATIONS HH HEADS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
17. MAIN OCCUPATIONS HH HEADS BY GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
18. SECOND OCCUPATIONS HH HEADS BY GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
19. HH HEADS BY INCOME LEVEL & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
20. HH HEADS FORMAL EDUCATION BY INCOME, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
21. HH HEADS INCOME LEVELS BY REGION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
22. HOUSEHOLD DWELLINGS & BASIC AMENITIES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
23. PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD CONSUMPTION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
24. STATED HOUSEHOLD FOOD PREFERENCES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
25. HOUSEHOLD FARM PRODUCTION, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
26. REPORTED REASONS FOR FOOD SCARCITY, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
27. RANKINGS OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
28. REPORTED MAIN HOUSEHOLD WELFARE PROBLEMS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
29. BOAT OWNERS/OPERATORS BY TYPE & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
30. PROPORTIONS OF FISHING BOAT TYPES, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
31A APPROXIMATE PROPORTIONS GEAR TYPES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
31B REPORTED GILLNET FLEET SIZES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
32. REPORTED MAIN TARGET SPECIES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
33. BOATDAYS/YEAR INTERVAL ESTIMATES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
34. ESTIMATED CREW SIZE FREQUENCIES, L. VICTORIA(U) FISHING UNITS
35. CREW/LABOURERS BY TYPE & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
36. REPORTED TERMS CREW/LABOURER PAYMENT, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
37. PROCESSORS/TRADERS BY TYPE & GENDER, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
38. REPORTED WOOD SUPPLY PROBLEMS OF FISH SMOKERS, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
39. INCIDENCE OF FISH SALES BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
40. FISH BUYERS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
41. LEVEL OF MONTHLY EARNINGS BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
42. BUSINESS/JOB PROBLEMS CITED BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
43. BUSINESS/JOB BETTER/WORSE? L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
44. VIEW OF WORK BY YEARS IN WORK & FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
45. INTENTION TO CONTINUE IN WORK BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
46. VIEWS OF LOCAL ACTIONS NEEDED BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
47. VIEWS OF GOVERNMENT ACTIONS NEEDED BY FISHER TYPE, L. VICTORIA(U) COMMUNITIES
| BIOSTAT | Bio-Statistical |
| CAS | Catch Assessment Survey |
| FS | Frame Survey |
| FCV | Fishing Community Vicinity |
| FISHIN' | Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (FAO/UNDP Project UGA/87/007) |
| FSISU | Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems Unit |
| HHH | Household Head |
| SEC | Socio-Economic |
| SECSURV1 | Socio-Economic Survey Form 1 (Community) |
| SECSURV2 | Socio-Economic Survey Form 2 (Household) |
| SECSURV3 | Socio-Economic Survey Form 3 (Individual Enterprise) |
| UFD | Uganda Fisheries Department |
EFFECTIVE MAY 1991 (Time of L. Victoria Survey):
1 USD = UShs 860
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1991 (Current):
1 USD = UShs 960
This report, the second Field Document of the FISHIN Notes and Records series, provides an overview of community survey activities conducted during 1991 by the Socio-Economic (SEC) Working Group of Project UGA/87/007, Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems.
A major survey exercise was designed and implemented for Lake Victoria-Uganda during the first half of 1991 and a pilot exercise was carried out for northern Lake Albert-Uganda in August 1991. The pilot exercise tested the suitability of the approach used on Lake Victoria for the somewhat different context of Lake Albert, and generally served to set the stage for further intensive work there.
The focus in this document is mostly on the Lake Victoria work. Basic features of fishing community life are reviewed and in the process potential applications of the Victoria survey data base are demonstrated.
Field investigations covered all the fisheries regions of the Uganda sector of Lake Victoria, and extended over a three month period from March to May 1991. The main aim of the survey was to create an information base which could serve as a foundation for development planning and management of the Lake Victoria fisheries. It was further intended that this should serve as a model for subsequent time-to-time surveys to enable the Uganda Fisheries Department (UFD) to update its national baseline information bank.
Survey Design
Three questionnaires were drafted and pre-tested as instruments for the Lake Victoria investigations. Designated SECSURV1, SECSURV2, and SECSURV3, they were developed to elicit information at the community, household, and individual enterprise levels respectively. Items tapped for survey investigation were wide-ranging. For the community level they included general characteristics of fishing settlements and their development problems, local institutions, and women's income-earning activities. At the household level details of resident members' backgrounds were enumerated in terms of such features as age, gender, education, family status, migration history, and occupation. At the level of individual enterprise extensive qualitative and quantitative information was sought about involvement in fishing-related work.
Sample selection was carried out in a geographically stratified way as to ensure full coverage of lakeshore and island communities. A total of 50 communities were randomly selected at the first stage of sampling, and five households from each community at the second. There was complete enumeration of all individual fishing-related enterprises for the third stage of the exercise. Case weightings were applied in the analysis of the survey data in accordance with selection probabilities.
Survey results were assembled into a database which provides a means of estimating the distribution of features measured in the community survey for the entire Uganda sector of Lake Victoria. Since these data are subject to both sampling and non-sampling errors, they are best interpreted in an indicative manner rather than as absolute, hard-and-fast figures.
Lake Victoria-Uganda Communities
Data collected through the community-level interviews indicate that the great majority of Victoria-Uganda communities fishing communities are comprised of nucleated settlements. Total numbers of houses within settlements range from just a few up to as many as 500. Settlements are chiefly located on private land, though some are on Government land including gazetted Forest Reserves.
Lakeshore settlements have shown a pattern of strong growth over the past five years in terms of economic activity, population, and numbers of new structures and services. Good return on fishing effort (‘high catches’) is apparently the main engine of such growth. Problems hindering development identified by respondents during the group interviews relate mainly to fishing inputs, marketing, and public services. To a large extent the main problems cited are all aspects of one basic problem -- viz., poor accessibility in terms of roads and reliable means of transport.
It was found that Fishing Community Vicinities (FCVs), each defined as an area of 5 km radius from any given community, seem to be relatively well served in terms of facilities like kiosks for the selling of petty commodities, churches, some form of public hire transport, and small eating stalls. But they are relatively poorly served in terms of such conveniences as regular markets, secondary schools, Government-run clinics, public lodgings, electricity and piped water supplies, post offices, police posts, banks, outboard engine repair, and petrol stations.
The traditional institution of the Gabunga or ‘Head Fisher’ still figures very strongly in the conduct of fishing community and landing site affairs. Co-operative societies are not common and even in those places where they are found it seems that about half of them are dormant.
Women appear to be quite actively involved in small-scale commercial undertakings such as selling cooked food at landing sites, market gardening, fish processing and trading, and brewing. Their direct participation in fishing activities as gear and equipment owners is mimimal.
Malaria and water-borne diseases leading to dysentery and diarrhoea are the chief health problems identified during the community group interviews. Malaria appears to be especially rampant. The problems identified are totally expectable given the siting of many fishing camps and settlements near swamps and marshes, the living and working patterns that prevail, and the critically poor conditions of sanitation that are commonly found.
Lake Victoria-Uganda Community Households and Residents
Fishing communities around the Lake show substantial variation in population size. They can be comprised of anywhere from 5 to 4500 or more individuals. The total population of all communities combined is estimated at around 130,000 people living in a total of about 32,800 households. Mean household size is reckoned to be around 4. Just over half of community residents are male. Community populations also tend to be quite young -- mostly 20 years or less in age.
Household heads (HHHs) tend to be male by a substantial margin -- almost nine out of every ten. About eight out of ten are between 21 to 40 years of age. Ethnic group affiliation is mixed, and very few HHHs are native-born residents of their communities. Of the estimated 95% who are emigrants around three-quarters have been settled for less than five years.
Survey data suggest that over 90% of HHHs have had at least some exposure to formal education, usually at the primary school level. Females seem to outperform males in attaining higher levels (upper primary and beyond) of education, though their rate of access to school to begin with is somewhat lower. Occupational profiles for HHHs show an expected heavy involvement in fishing-related activities as the main source of income, with farming activities rating to some extent as well. It is clear however that women are engaged in farming as a main occupation much more frequently than men.
Gender-related differences are also apparent with regard to income levels, with women tending to rank in the very lowest monthly income-level category. Although level of income does not seem to be directly related to level of formal education achievement, there are noticeable differences in income distribution patterns from region to region.
The survey found that residents of Lake Victoria fishing communities can generally be characterised as living under very basic, indeed rudimentary conditions of material comfort. Most dwellings are simple one-roomed thatched mud-walled affairs and there are few amenities in the form of good lighting (pressure lamps or electricity), clean water supplies (boreholes or piped), and sanitation facilities (well-constructed latrines or plumbing). Ownership of consumer items such as bicycles or radios is of a fairly low order.
Fish and some form of starchy food are the common components of people's diets. Cassava appears to be an especially popular meal item. Only about half of the residential units are actually engaged in raising their own food crops or livestock, and a shortage of food is reckoned to occur for at least part of the year in eight out of ten cases.
The need to meet expenses related to food, education of children, and family health accounts for the greater part of domestic budget outflows. These expenses are substantial and tend to cripple the ability to save or invest in alternative channels.
Lake Victoria-Uganda Fisher Enterprises
Information collected from boat owners/operators indicates that the Lake Victoria-Uganda fishing craft fleet is almost entirely composed of planked Ssese-type canoes. Small dugouts and the simple ‘Bao-tatu’ craft make up the balance. Rates of motorisation and sail propulsion both remain low.
The survey confirms that the Lake Victoria-Uganda artisanal fishery is largely based on gillnets. Principal target species are Nile perch followed by tilapia. There is a modest presence of longlines in the overall gear kit and exploitation of Rastrineobola argentea, or mukene appears to be well established and growing. Beach seining and the use of cast nets both register to some extent.
Fishing boat crew are invariably men. Mean crew size based on sample data extrapolation is 2.6 persons. Crew and beach labourers, who may also include women engaged in such chores as mukene drying, are usually paid on a share-of-catch per trip basis.
Processors/traders are predominantly male and are mostly engaged in fish smoking. Almost all fish smokers cite problems with scarcities in fuelwood supplies.
Patterns of monthly earnings vary greatly between the different categories of Fishers. Owners/operators appear to be in the most advantageous position, followed by processors/traders. Crew/labourers appear to be the most poorly off. Comparison with national data suggests that fisher enterprises do not rate very strongly in their income-earning performances.
There is a tendency across all the Fisher classes to regard business and job prospects in a rather pessimistic way. Low catches, high costs, low prices, and stiff competition are the usual reasons cited for holding the view that fishing-related work is ‘becoming worse.’ But despite their generally negative outlook, most Fishers harbour an intention to continue in their lines of work in future, often because it is the only work that seems to be available or the only work that they know how to do.
On the question of what actions might be taken in order to improve business or job prospects, Fishers seem to be able to think of more ways for Government or outside agencies to assist than they are of ways in which local residents can take initiatives themselves.
A popular suggestion for local action is the formation of co-operative societies, even if past experience with fishing co-ops has not been especially encouraging. The implementation of infrastructural or service development projects, loan or subsidy schemes, and more convenient gear and equipment supply arrangements were widely supported measures that could be taken by Government and outside agencies.
Pilot SEC Investigations of Lake Albert-Uganda Communities
Five communities located at the northern end of Lake Albert-Uganda were visited in order to carry out interviews with groups of key respondents using the SECSURVI form.
All the settlements are located on public land, though the lack of an official gazetted status for most obviously has a retarding influence insofar as the development of housing conditions and services or amenities is concerned. Poor catches in recent years, general insecurity, and ethnic rivalries have contributed to a lack of growth in some communities.
Major development problems in the area were identified as lack of fishing inputs, high incidence of gear theft, declining or disrupted markets in Zaire, fuelwood shortages, very low access to public services and amenities especially in relation to schools and health facilities, and chronic rampant malaria and water-borne diseases.
There appears to be a well-established and strong pattern of landing site organisation in terms of ‘Centre Masters’ and fishing committees. The Masters function in much the same role as the ‘Head Fishers’ commonly found in Lake Victoria fishing settlements. Local co-operative society organisation is weak and has a poor record of performance in the northern Lake Albert area. Community development efforts in the form of self-help projects and Government-sponsored programmes have been of mixed issue. Generally those that rely on a substantial display of local initiative do not seem to have fared very well.
As on Lake Victoria, the direct involvement of women in fishing operations is minimal, being restricted mainly to participation in beach seining. Women do however tend to dominate the Lake Albert post-harvest (processing and trading) sector.
Though limited in scope the pilot activities of the SEC team did serve to demonstrate the feasibility of utilising the approach developed for Lake Victoria for a full survey exercise of Lake Albert communities. It is recognised however that resources for the fieldwork might be even more limited in the case of Albert and that stratification and sampling strategy might have to be adjusted accordingly.
Recommendations
The SEC group's community survey programme has produced a model that can be utilised for further survey work by the UFD through its Fisheries Statistical and Information Systems Unit (FSISU). Long-term plans should be devised for the conduct of fishing community surveys on a time-to-time basis in order to provide regular updates for the information base that has now been established.
The survey questionnaires and sampling schemes developed for gathering information at the community, household, and individual enterprise levels respectively should be utilised to structure such exercises. Data compilation and analysis should be handled through the coding and processing procedures and software now in place with the FSISU.
Efforts should be organised as soon as possible to extend basic fishing community survey coverage to Lake Albert-Uganda, using the sampling and interview tools and approaches developed for the Lake Victoria exercise. Lake Albert and all the other major national fisheries including those of Lakes Edward/George, Kyoga, and the River Nile should be included in the long-term survey update plans suggested above.
Steps should also be taken to establish consultative links with appropriate personnel of the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, who can provide advice on sampling, data handling, and computer processing questions.
The FSISU and general UFD capabilities for conducting socio-economic and policy and planning related work remain critically weak due to understaffing. This situation should be rectified through the appointment of appropriate personnel at both senior and trainee levels.
Much further analytical work remains to be carried out on the Lake Victoria community database and it should be addressed without delay. Use of the database should also be directed towards broader assessments of features of fishing community standards of living and welfare vis-a-vis the general national population.
Several measures deriving from fieldwork observations and preliminary analysis of survey data are suggested specifically in regard to Lake Victoria communities. Perhaps the single most effective action that could be taken to improve the level of fishing community welfare is road and transport infrastructure development. Development agency assistance and investment policy should be informed of this priority.
It appears that in many fishing settlements residents face a very uncertain situation with regard to land occupancy and use rights. Planners and administers should recognise the importance of this problem as an obstacle to community development and infrastructure improvement programmes. It may prove necessary after further scrutiny and consideration to devise means of regularising the status of residents in those places where occupancy and use rights are tenuous.
Actions of a more participatory nature as far as fisherfolk communities are concerned should be encouraged at the same time. Of particular moment are those that bear on the improvement of hygiene and domestic water supplies and other disease control issues at landings. There are no instant remedies, but Department of Fisheries extension personnel working closely with Ministry of Health field staff and backed by the active support of their supervisory officers should at least be trying through persuasion and example to stimulate some local initiatives along these lines. In this connection every effort should be made to enlist the backing of local Baqabunga, fishing committees, and RC1s.
Survey data indicate that there is great scope for technological improvement within both the harvest and post-harvest sectors of the Lake Victoria-Uganda artisanal fishery. Amongst other things, a need exists to promote the wider use of sail propulsion for fishing craft within the Ugandan portion of the Lake, where it is now utilised to a surprisingly small extent.
Efforts should also be directed urgently towards the popularisation of more efficient and durable smoking kilns in lakeshore communities as a means of conserving increasingly scarce fuelwood supplies and improving product quality and profitability for local processors.