Col Mercy Tukahirwa dropped as Museveni disbands Fisheries Protection Unit

Kampala, Uganda: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF armed forces, has ordered the immediate dissolution of all landing site committees on Uganda’s lakes, triggering a major shake-up in fisheries governance and marine security.

The directive, issued through army leadership, follows mounting complaints, disputes and allegations of abuse surrounding the management of fishing landing sites, particularly conflicts between enforcement teams, investors and local fishing communities.

Gen Museveni instructed the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to oversee the disbandment and guide the transition to new governance structures.

Under the new arrangement, fresh landing site committees will be constituted within three months, and, unlike previous structures, will formally include representatives of indigenous fishing communities, alongside vetted investors. Government says the move is intended to restore trust, reduce friction and improve accountability on Uganda’s lakes.

Oversight of the restructuring has been assigned to the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Sam Okiding, working jointly with the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Richard Otto.

FPU Renamed, Command Structure Changed

In a parallel decision, President Museveni has renamed the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) to the 155 Marines Battalion, formally placing it under the UPDF Marines Brigade command structure.

The move integrates fisheries enforcement into the mainstream UPDF Marines system, a change officials say will strengthen discipline, accountability and operational effectiveness on Uganda’s lakes and rivers.

Maj. Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed Commanding Officer of the 155 Marines Battalion, operating under Brig. Micheal Nyarwa, the Commander of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Col Mercy Tukahirwa Reassigned

As part of the restructuring, Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa, the former commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been removed from command and reassigned to the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Proscovia Nalweyiso.

UPDF leadership said the reassignment does not negate her service, noting that the army “appreciates her contribution during her tenure” as FPU commander, even as government recalibrates its approach to fisheries protection.

The dissolution of landing site committees and reorganisation of marine forces signals a significant policy and security reset in Uganda’s fisheries sector, which has for years been dogged by accusations of corruption, exclusion of local fishermen, and enforcement excesses.

Government officials say the reforms are aimed at balancing security, conservation, investment and community livelihoods, while tightening military oversight on Uganda’s strategic water bodies.