Fisheries resources are critical for global food and nutritional security, especially in developing countries where fishing contributes greatly to economic stability and food security. To ensure the sustainability of these resources, fisheries management develops policies and regulations aimed at long-term conservation and protection of these resources. In Uganda, a ban on the “hurry-up” fishing method for small pelagic fishes such as Mukene (lake sardine ) was launched in 2024 and implemented on the main producing lakes of Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert. Although the ban aimed to reduce bycatch of the economically valuable Nile perch, its abrupt implementation and enforcement had substantial impacts on the livelihoods of fishing communities. This study seeks to 1) examine how the method closure differently impacts men and women, 2) assess the adaptive capacity and adaptive strategies of individuals in the Mukene fishing sector; and 3) identify alternative management strategies for small pelagic fisheries in Uganda’s major lakes. We will use a mixed-methods approach to analyse the livelihood impacts of the ban, to investigate conflicts with other fishery sectors that prompted regulatory changes, and to evaluate adaptive approaches that can lead to positive and equitable livelihood outcomes for fishing-dependent households faced with governance-related shocks. Data will be collected through key informant interviews with fisheries managers, focus group discussions with members of other fishery sectors (e.g. Nile perch), and household surveys with men and women engaged in the Mukene fishery. We predict that women will experience greater food insecurity and economic instability as a result of the gear ban compared to men, and that they will also have lower adaptive capacity given their restricted access to factors that can promote adaptive capacity. Ultimately, this research will inform management strategies that balance Nile perch fishery sustainability with the needs of vulnerable groups, supporting more equitable governance across Uganda’s major fishing lakes.