President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate dissolution of all landing site committees on Uganda’s lakes, citing persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities.
The directive, issued on Friday, also affects the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), which has been renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and placed under the command of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Marines Brigade.
According to a statement released by the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, the President instructed the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to implement the changes with immediate effect.
“The dissolution of the landing site committees is on account of the controversies surrounding them among the fishermen,” Col Magezi said. “New committees comprised of indigenous fishing communities and investor representatives will be formed to replace them.”
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the UPDF, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, together with the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen Richard Otto, have been tasked with overseeing the formation of the new committees. The process is expected to be completed within three months.
In a major structural change, the Fisheries Protection Unit has been renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and will now operate under the UPDF Marines Brigade. Maj Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed the Commanding Officer of the new battalion, while Brig Micheal Nyarwa remains the Commander of the UPDF Marines Brigade.
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, where she will undertake new responsibilities.
“We thank Lieutenant Colonel Tukahirwa for successfully concluding her tour of duty as the outgoing commander of the FPU,” Col Magezi said.
The reforms are aimed at streamlining fisheries management, reducing conflict at landing sites, and strengthening discipline and command within security operations on Uganda’s lakes.