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Reshuffled: Lieutenant Mercy Tukahirwa
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), has directed the immediate dissolution of all landing site committees on Uganda’s lakes following what the army described as “persistent controversies surrounding their operations among fishermen.”
The directive was issued to the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations (CDF/SPASO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
According to the UPDF, the President also ordered the formation of new landing site committees “comprised of representatives from indigenous fishing communities and investors” to replace the dissolved structures.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General (DCDF/IG), Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Major General Richard Otto, have been tasked to oversee the reconstitution of the committees.
The exercise is expected to be concluded within three months.
In the same directive, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has been renamed the 155 Marines Battalion and will now operate under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.
“Major Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 155 Marines Battalion,” the statement reads. The UPDF Marines Brigade is commanded by Brigadier Michael Nyarwa.
In a statement issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) and the UPDF, it was noted that Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Tukahirwa, who has been serving as the Commandant of the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been reassigned to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security (SPADS), Lieutenant General (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso, where she will undertake other duties.
“We thank Lieutenant Colonel Tukahirwa for successfully concluding her tour of duty as the outgoing Commandant of the Fisheries Protection Unit,” the UPDF said.
