Government has for the second time set July 1 as the date for reopening Lake Kyoga to fishing.

Fishing on the lake was suspended last year on request by the district leaders under Lake Kyoga Integrated Management Organisation (LAKIMO) following concerns of depletion of fish species due to poor fishing methods.

However, State minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa Abeku last Thursday told residents of Soroti District that the fishermen will be allowed access to the lake on July 1.

"On July 1 we shall open the lake, but only for registered fishermen with standard boats and legal fishing gear," she said.

The minister noted that the lake was closed due to over exploitation of the fish and use of illegal fishing gear, something she said led to reduction of diversity of fish species in the lake.