One fisherman told the meeting that soldiers had confiscated seven of his boat engines, leaving him unable to continue fishing. Another said soldiers seized his boat even after he had removed it from the lake following the government’s suspension of silverfish (mukene) fishing.
State Minister in the Office of the Vice President Diana Mutasingwa has called for the transfer of the commanding officer of the UPDF 155 Marines Battalion in Buikwe District, accusing her of mistreating fishermen and failing to engage respectfully with the communities she is mandated to serve.
Mutasingwa directed that disciplinary action be taken against Lt. Joanita Nakisindi, saying the officer’s conduct during a consultative meeting on fisheries reforms reinforced long-standing complaints from fishermen about harassment and abuse by soldiers enforcing fisheries laws.
“You have seen how she has behaved even in our presence. What then happens at the barracks or during operations on the lake? I cannot watch such conduct and remain silent, especially when people have repeatedly complained to us as leaders about the treatment they receive from the soldiers under her command, and even now she refuses to listen, not even to us as leaders,” Mutasingwa said.
The minister made the remarks on Wednesday during a fisheries stakeholders’ consultative meeting at Kiyindi Landing Site in Buikwe District. The meeting, convened by State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa, brought together fishermen, local leaders and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to discuss the implementation of the newly enacted Fisheries Act and its accompanying regulations.
Tempers flared after several fishermen accused soldiers attached to the 155 Marines Battalion of harassment, intimidation, corruption, confiscating fishing gear and abusing communities while enforcing fisheries laws.
One fisherman told the meeting that soldiers had confiscated seven of his boat engines, leaving him unable to continue fishing. Another said soldiers seized his boat even after he had removed it from the lake following the government’s suspension of silverfish (mukene) fishing.
When invited to respond, Lt. Nakisindi defended the seizure, arguing that the boat had been found carrying raw silverfish, indicating it had been used for illegal fishing the previous night. She also claimed the owner had threatened to report the soldiers to Minister Mutasingwa while demanding the return of his property.
Her response, however, was delivered in what leaders described as a harsh and confrontational manner, prompting Mutasingwa to openly rebuke the officer and call for her removal from the station.
The confrontation also revived concerns over the handling of confiscated fishing gear. Minister Migadde reminded Lt. Nakisindi that he had earlier directed that fishing equipment confiscated before this year’s elections be returned to its owners. The commander, however, said she could not release property found in the battalion stores without proof of ownership from those claiming it.
Earlier, during a similar consultative meeting at Katosi Landing Site in Mukono District, fishermen also accused another UPDF marine commander, Moses Nuwagira, of failing to destroy an illegal fishing net as required by law. Instead, fisherman Haji Musa Muliika alleged that the commander retained the net and continued using it through the same fishermen who had previously operated it. Nuwagira was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Responding to the complaints, Minister Migadde emphasized that soldiers enforcing fisheries laws are equally accountable under the law.
“If these soldiers are breaking the law, people should not keep quiet. They should report them, provided they have evidence, so that appropriate disciplinary action can be taken,” he said.
Migadde also revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has finalized regulations to operationalize the new Fisheries Act, which are expected to be published before the end of the month.
He clarified, however, that the controversial Hariyapu fishing method will remain prohibited even after the government allows licensed silverfish fishing to resume. He added that the ministry intends to engage President Yoweri Museveni on permitting licensed silverfish fishermen to resume the use of lights, arguing that the activity is not economically viable without them.
The minister further warned soldiers and members of local fisheries management committees against corruption and participating in illegal fishing, saying the new law provides stiff penalties for offenders.
During the consultations, Mukono District Chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome proposed the introduction of an annual closed fishing season to allow fish stocks to recover, while fishermen urged the government to ensure the consultations result in practical reforms rather than remaining discussions.
Several fishermen also described the economic hardships caused by the prolonged suspension of silverfish fishing, saying thousands of families have lost their livelihoods and many parents can no longer afford school fees for their children.