At least 46 soldiers
have been dropped from the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit-FPU over the last
three years, Maj. Joseph Ssebukera, the Commandant of the unit on Eastern side
of Lake Victoria has revealed.
He told journalists at
Masese Landing site in Jinja district on Tuesday morning that the soldiers were
interdicted because of brutality and extortion.
//Cue in: “What is on…
Cue out…by the force,”.
According to Ssebukera,
the move is aimed at cleaning the unit following persistent complaints of incompetence
and brutality leaved against the unit.
He however, lashed out
at politicians for failing to acknowledge their successes and instead focus on
their shortcomings.
In December last year, parliament chaired by the speaker, Rebecca
Kadaga halted the operations of the Fisheries Protection Unit citing complaints
of brutality leveled against soldiers involved.
However, Ssebukera
they don’t follow orders from politicians.
//Cue in: “The current season…
Cue out…that, he changes,”//
The Jinja District LC
V Chairperson, Titus Kisambira wants the unit to organize monthly meetings
where they can easily update local authorities on the progress of their
operations.
“It is sad that, Jinja district is home to various landing sites
where fishermen complain of UPDF brutality. However, I don’t even know where to
find FPU officials. I suggest that FPU holds monthly meetings where they can
easily inform leaders on their operations on the lake to control
misinformation,” he said.
The FPU commenced its
operations on Ugandan waters in 2017 to protect the dwindling fish resource
resulting from illegal fishing practices.
