President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Major Joseph Ssebukeera as the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 155 Marines Battalion, following the dissolution of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU).
The directive was issued on Friday by the President, and Commander-in-Chief, according to a statement released by the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi.
“The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) is hereby renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and will work under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade,” the statement read. “Major Joseph Ssebukeera is appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 155 Marines Battalion.”
The 155 Marines Battalion will operate under the UPDF Marines Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Michael Nyarwa.
In the same directive, President Museveni ordered the immediate dissolution of landing site committees on all lakes across the country, citing persistent controversies involving fishing communities.
He directed the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to implement the decision with immediate effect.
New landing site committees composed of indigenous fishing communities and investor representatives will be formed.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, together with the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen Richard Otto, have been tasked to oversee the process, which is expected to be completed within three months.
Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, the outgoing commander of the FPU, has been reassigned to the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Lt Gen (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso.
“We thank Lieutenant Colonel Tukahirwa for successfully concluding her tour of duty as the outgoing commander of the FPU,” Col Magezi said.
Maj Ssebukeera is a senior UPDF officer with extensive experience in marine operations and training. He has previously served as Commandant of the Marine Training Wing at Butiaba in Buliisa District, where he oversaw specialised military training programs for water-based operations.
The restructuring of fisheries enforcement into a formal UPDF marine battalion is aimed at improving discipline, professionalism, and coordination in securing Uganda’s lakes and waterways, while addressing long-standing grievances among fishing communities.