Gang Fishing

Gang fishing in Soroti and the wider Teso sub-region is a traditional communal practice where large groups of neighbors, families, and villagers head into local swamps and wetlands to catch fish.
How Gang Fishing Works
• Timing: The practice usually happens during specific seasons, particularly when water levels recede in the swamps during dry periods or when mature fish are abundant.
• Method: Hundreds of community members enter the shallow water together, creating debris and muddying the water to reduce visibility and oxygen for the fish. As the fish surface for air, the group catches them.
• Tools: Participants use traditional, locally made gear such as spears and specially curved baskets rather than modern commercial nets.
• Cultural Significance: Historically, the practice served as a vital community-building event that united villages, though modern commercial pressures and changing traditions have caused the practice to slowly fade.