By Hannah Marion Namukasa
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has directed the immediate dissolution of all landing sites committees on Uganda’s lakes, citing persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities.
The directive, issued through the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations (CDF/SPASO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, affects all lakes across the country. According to the announcement, the current committees will be replaced by new structures composed of representatives from indigenous fishing communities and investors operating in the fisheries sector.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, together with the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Major General Richard Otto, have been tasked with supervising the formation of the new landing sites committees. The exercise is expected to be completed within three months.
In a related development, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has been officially renamed the 155 Marines Battalion. The new battalion will operate under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade. Major Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed the Commanding Officer of the 155 Marines Battalion, while the UPDF Marines Brigade continues to be commanded by Brigadier Micheal Nyarwa.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Tukahirwa, formerly the commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been reassigned to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security (SPADS), Lieutenant General (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso, where she will undertake other duties.
The UPDF leadership commended Lieutenant Colonel Tukahirwa for successfully concluding her tour of duty as the outgoing commander of the FPU.
The announcement was issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) / UPDF.
