Museveni disbands lake landing site committees, renames Fisheries Protection Unit

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President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate disbandment of all landing site committees across Uganda’s lakes, citing persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities.

In a directive issued in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Museveni on Friday, December 26, 2025, instructed the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations (CDF/SPASO), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to oversee the dissolution of the committees and the establishment of new structures.

The President directed that the new landing site committees be composed of representatives of indigenous fishing communities alongside investors operating in the fisheries sector, in a move aimed at restoring harmony and improving governance at landing sites.

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. The process is expected to be completed within three months.

In a separate directive, Museveni announced the renaming of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) to the 155 Marines Battalion, which will now operate under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Maj Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed Commanding Officer of the newly formed battalion, while Brig. Michael Nyarwa remains the Commander of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, formerly attached to the FPU, has been reassigned to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security (SPADS), Lt Gen (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso.

Background to the decision

Uganda’s fisheries sector is a critical pillar of the economy, the third largest foreign exchange earner after gold and coffee. Fish and fish products generate more than $100 million (shillings 361 billion) annually, mainly from Nile perch exports to the European Union, Asia and the Middle East.

About 1.3 million Ugandans are directly employed across the fish value chain including fishing, processing and transport while more than seven million people depend on it for their livelihoods.

However, the sector has faced persistent challenges over the years, including illegal fishing, use of prohibited gear, declining fish stocks, corruption at landing sites, and tensions between enforcement agencies and fishing communities.

The now-disbanded landing site committees were introduced to help regulate activities on lakes, but they have frequently been accused by fishermen of extortion, abuse of power and lack of transparency.

The Fisheries Protection Unit, deployed in 2017 to curb illegal fishing and restore fish stocks, has also attracted controversy, with allegations of human rights abuses and heavy-handed enforcement, even as government credits the unit with improving compliance and reducing illegal fishing practices.

President Museveni’s latest directive signals a renewed effort to reform fisheries governance, balance enforcement with community participation, and stabilize a sector that remains vital to Uganda’s food security, employment and export earnings.