155 MARINES BATTALION ISSUED DIRECTIVES TO CURB ILLEGAL FISHING PRACTICES
A fisherman carrying out fishing in the lake. Photo Ambrose Okai
Amolatar
The Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) Deputy Commander, Lt Gen. Sam Okiding has announced that operations in the lake by the army to fight illegal fishing practices are set to resume.
These developments follow a directive issued on December 23, 2025, by President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ordering wide-ranging reforms in the management and security of Uganda’s lakes.
The directive dissolved existing landing site committees and restructured enforcement, including renaming the Fish Protection Unit to the 155 Marines Battalion under the UPDF.
Consequently, President Museveni appointed Lt Gen. Sam Okiding alongside Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, to oversee enforcement reforms.
Gen. Okiding While addressing the fishing community at Kagago Landing Site in Namsale Town Council, Amolatar District recently said the renewed operations aim to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect fish stocks in Uganda’s waters.
He emphasized that those found fishing in breeding areas, using illegal nets such as Kokota, or engaging in silver fishing (Mukene) with artificial lights will face arrest and could be jailed for up to eight years.
“Using Light on water, fishing in the breeding Zone and use of Kokota, Kamamaji and the rest means you have booked for 8 years,”Okiding warns.
Speaking at the same engagement, Maj. Gen. Richard Otto warned both soldiers and fishermen against corruption that facilitates illegal fishing, pledging to dismantle networks involved in illegal sale of fishing gear and undersized fish.
Lt Gen. Sam Okiding speaking to fishing community at Kagago Landing Site in
Namsale Town Council, Amolatar District. Photo by Ambrose Okai
Gen. Otto added that going forward, authorities will use court orders to destroy confiscated illegal fish and fishing gear, a move aimed at eliminating corruption in the enforcement process.
”We have heard cries of a fishermen who uses someone boat giving solders money to avoid arrest and yet the owner of the boat is waiting. This is corruption and from today onward don’t give bribe to any soldiers because it will land you in jail,”Otoo said.
Meanwhile, UPDF legal officer Lt Col. Owen Kasimba announced sweeping structural changes in the management of fishing activities.
In the new changes, all Beach Management Units will be disbanded and replaced with new committees at landing site, sub-county, and district levels.
Additionally each landing site will be limited to 100 fishermen and 30 registered boats and all fishermen must possess and carry valid fishing licenses at all times among others.
Namsale Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Rembo Onguu, requested a one-month grace period to allow fishermen to prepare. However his request was rejected.
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