President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered the dissolution of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) and its reconstitution as the 155 Marines Battalion, placing it under the command of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Marines Brigade.
The directive, issued on Friday, was announced by the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, who said the changes are intended to improve efficiency, discipline, and coordination of security operations on Uganda’s lakes.
“The Fisheries Protection Unit is hereby renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and will work under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade,” Col Magezi said.
As part of the reforms, President Museveni also directed the immediate dissolution of all landing site committees across the country’s lakes, citing persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities. New committees, comprising representatives of indigenous fishing communities and investors, will be established to replace them.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the UPDF, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen Richard Otto, have been tasked with supervising the formation of the new landing site committees. The exercise is expected to be concluded within three months.
