The minister said the action was intended to reinforce government efforts, with support from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), to improve fisheries management and curb illegal activities on the country’s lakes.
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The Minister of State for Fisheries, Robert Migadde Ndugwa, has removed fisheries enforcement leaders in five administrative areas of Buvuma District over allegations that some officials were aiding illegal fishing instead of fighting the practice.
The affected areas are Bwema, Nairambi and Bugaya sub-counties, as well as Buvuma and Lyabaana town councils. The minister also suspended the district fisheries leadership, including Vice-Chairperson Babiteza Maimuna and her team.
In a directive dated October 12, 2026, addressed to Buvuma Resident District Commissioner Hajat Hawa Ndege, Migadde said some people selected to support the fight against illegal fishing had allegedly become part of the problem.
He accused some of the officials of owning illegal fishing vessels, turning a blind eye to unlawful activities in their areas of jurisdiction and collecting money from members of the public.
“Some own illegal fishing vessels, while others just look on when illegalities are happening in their areas and some are just collecting money from the public. We cannot allow this to continue under our watch,” Migadde wrote.
The minister said the action was intended to reinforce government efforts, with support from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), to improve fisheries management and curb illegal activities on the country’s lakes.
He explained that committees had been established at landing sites, sub-counties and district level to educate fishing communities, mobilise them against illegal fishing and report offenders to the authorities.
However, he said allegations against some of the leaders raised concerns about the effectiveness of the enforcement structures.
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Five interim chairpersons named
As the search for new district-level leadership continues, Migadde appointed five interim chairpersons to take charge of the affected administrative areas.
Maaka Godfrey was assigned to Bwema Sub-county, Ntambike Shaban to Bugaya Sub-county and Othieno Paul to Nairambi Sub-county.
Robert Wajja Mbagulire was appointed to oversee fisheries enforcement in Buvuma Town Council, while Kirinya Ronald was named interim chairperson for Lyabaana Town Council.
The appointments took immediate effect, according to the minister’s letter.
Migadde instructed RDC Ndege and the Buvuma Chief Administrative Officer, Haji Issa Mbooge, to meet the appointees and brief them on their duties. Mbooge was also asked to sign their letters of undertaking to facilitate their assumption of responsibility.
The commander of the UPDF’s 155 Battalion and the Buvuma District Police Commander were directed to ensure that the suspended officials stopped performing duties related to fisheries enforcement.
Other areas unaffected
Migadde said the changes would not affect the leadership of landing site committees in the targeted sub-counties.
He further clarified that Buwooya, Lubya, Busamuzi and Lwaje sub-counties were not affected by the directive for the time being.
The changes come as the government continues efforts to combat illegal fishing, which threatens fish stocks and the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing for income and food.
The minister’s directive was copied to the ministers responsible for Agriculture, the Presidency and Local Government, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and other district and security officials.
Migadde, who also represents the Buvuma Islands in Parliament, signed the letter in his capacity as Minister of State for Fisheries.