Gen. Sam Okiding warns against illegal fishing on Lake Kyoga

The UPDF’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen. Sam Okiding has warned fishermen operating on Lake Kyoga in Amolatar district to desist from illegal fishing practices, as enforcement operations by the army are set to resume.

He was addressing the fishing community at Kagago Landing Site in Namsale town council, where he said the renewed operations are expected to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect fish stocks in Uganda’s waters.

He emphasised that those found fishing in breeding areas, using illegal nets such as Kokota, or engaging in silver fishing (Mukene) with artificial lights will face arrest and could be jailed for up to eight years.

Gen. Okiding, who was appointed alongside Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security Maj. Gen. Richard Otto by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to oversee enforcement reforms, also ordered an end to illegal sand mining in Namsale and other water bodies, citing its negative environmental impact.

Maj. Gen. Otto warned both soldiers and fishermen against corruption that facilitates illegal fishing, pledging to dismantle networks involved in illegal sale of fishing gear and undersized fish.

He added that going forward, authorities will use court orders to destroy confiscated illegal fish and fishing gear, a move aimed at eliminating corruption in the enforcement process.

UPDF legal officer Lt Col. Owen Kasimba announced sweeping structural changes in the management of fishing activities. In the new changes, all Beach Management Units will be disbanded and replaced with new committees at landing site, sub-county, and district levels.

Additionally, each landing site will be limited to 100 fishermen and 30 registered boats and all fishermen must possess and carry valid fishing licenses at all times.

Local leaders, including Namsale sub-county LC3 chairperson Rembo Onguu, requested a one-month grace period to allow fishermen to prepare.

However, Gen. Okiding declined, stressing that illegal fishing is already severely impacting fish stocks.

Amolatar Deputy Resident District Commissioner Obonyo Magwar encouraged affected fishermen to explore alternative livelihoods through government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model.

These developments follow a directive issued on December 23, 2025, by President Museveni, ordering wide-ranging reforms in the management and security of Uganda’s lakes.

The directive dissolved existing landing site committees and restructured enforcement, including renaming the Fish Protection Unit to the 155 Marines Battalion under the UPDF.