Fisheries Protection Unit will Not Suspend Operations-Kyanda

The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) will not suspend its operation on Lake Victoria against illegal fishing practices, the Chief of Staff of the UPDF land forces, Major General Leopold Eric Kyanda has revealed. 

This comes amidst persistent complaints of brutality by fishermen against soldiers attached to the FPU. The fishermen had severally accused the soldiers of burning down landing sites, beating up islanders and confiscating their boats for allegedly transporting immature fish.   

The fishermen and some local leaders have roundly called for the suspension of the operations. However, Kyanda, says the operations are not about to stop. Addressing fishermen at Kalangala District Headquarters in an FPU evaluation meeting on Tuesday, Kyanda, said ever since the introduction of FPU on Lake Victoria in 2017, the Government has earned of over Shillings 2.7billions in revenue.   

He said the FPU operations have resulted in increased fish production for both the local and international markets.

//Cue in: "Fisheries Protection Unit.....

Cue Out:….mu 2.7 billion,”// 

Kyanda noted that despite the good work of the FPU, there are challenges in enforcing its operations. He said the main goal of the evaluation meeting is to weed out undisciplined officers and civilians on the task forces on at the village level.

//Cue in:"Ekyatuleese tunonyemu abo……

Cue Out:….we foster harmony,”// 

Willy Lugoloobi, the Kalangala District Chairperson appealed to FPU officers to remain impartial in their operations, saying the officers favour some individuals despite their involvement in illegal fishing practices.

//Cue in:"Tetuze wano nti..

Cue Out:…..twagala ennyanja tujeyagaliremu,”//    

The meeting also heard stories of torture from some of the fishermen. Julius Kisekka, a fisherman from Lwabalega landing site in Bujumba Sub County testified on how he was beaten by the FPU officers without any offence. 

//Cue in:"Bakankubira e Mwena.. 

Cue Out:....yaffa era bamajje,”//

Edward Turyatunga, a fisherman from Banda Landing site in Mugoye claimed that over 30 people vacated the landing site due to intimidation and brutality by FPU officers. He claimed that most of those whose houses were demolished were never even involved in any fishing activities.

//Cue in:"Amajje bwegatuuka omulimu..

Cue Out:…..amajje tegava kunnyanja,"//



Last Month, Captain Nathan Abaho who has been the head of illegal fishing operations on Lake Victoria in Kalangala has since been transferred and replaced by Capt. Geoffrey Kajugira, who has promised to end brutality by the FPU officers in Kalangala.