By 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 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has said.
In a directive issued on Friday, the President and Commander-in-Chief instructed the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to oversee the disbandment of the committees and the formation of new ones.
According to the UPDF, the new landing site committees will be composed of representatives from indigenous fishing communities and investors operating at the respective landing sites. The reconstitution exercise is expected to be completed within three months.
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 with supervising the formation of the new committees.
In the same directive, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has been renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and placed under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.
Maj Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed Commanding Officer of the newly established 155 Marines Battalion, while the UPDF Marines Brigade will continue to be commanded by Brig Micheal Nyarwa.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, the outgoing commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been reassigned to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Lt Gen (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso, where she will undertake other duties.
The UPDF thanked Lt Col Tukahirwa for “successfully concluding her tour of duty” as commander of the FPU.
The changes were announced in a statement signed by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF.
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