Fisheries Protection Unit Commander Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa has lived up her dream of transforming the Image and reputation of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on Ugandan Lakes shores thus far.

President Museveni took a bold step to address the issue of illegal fishing practices which had been devastating fish stocks in Ugandan water bodies as early as 2017.

The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) was deployed with a mission to combat these unlawful activities and restore the health sector on the lake shores.

At the outset, Lt. Col. James Nuwagaba led the FPU but faced criticism for alleged brutality toward the fishermen.

Following this, Lt. Col. Dick Kirya took over the helm, aiming to uphold human rights while tackling illegal fishing.

However, it was the arrival of the dedicated Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa that truly marked a turning point.

Her tireless efforts have yielded remarkable results in a short span of time, leading to a significant increase in fish stocks, particularly Nile perch and Tilapia.

Lt. Col. Mercy’s approach focuses on eradicating illegal fishing gear such as seine nets, cast nets, and mina filament for example she recently destroyed illegal fishing gear worth 423m at Kawongo landing site on Lake Kyoga in Kayunga District.

In addition to this, FPU destroyed illegal fishing gear like gill nets,basket traps etc worth 8.6B at Bugonga in Wakiso in February as well as other illegal fishing gear worth 160M at Rwenshama landing site on Lake Edward in May 2024.

By eliminating these tools of destruction, she has effectively curtailed the rampant illegal fishing transactions that were plaguing the lakes, thereby revitalizing the profitability of the fisheries sector.

Moreover, her proactive measures have reduced the influence of fish cartels and dismantled the untouchables involved in illegal activities within the AFALU.

One of Lt. Col. Tukahirwa’s notable achievements was the reopening of the Mpondwe -Lhubiriha fish market along the Uganda-DRC boarder in Kasese District after a six-year closure.

This had come as a result of COVID-19 when the market was moved to DRC side and had never returned to the ugandan side.This had made over 1000 women & youth to lose their source of livelihoods as well as government of Uganda losing revenue in form of taxes to DRC.

In addition to the above is the fact that Mpondwe Town Council’s local revenue had reduced from shs: 600M to shs: 50m due to the closure of this fish market.

Therefore the action of reopening the market by Col Mercy not only restored employment opportunities for many youths and women but has also revitalized local revenue generation for the Mpondwe Town council, Kasese District.

Furthermore, Lt. Col. Mercy’s leadership has significantly improved the relationships with all stakeholders in fish value chain.

The latter has provided a platform for the fishing communities to interact freely with FPU personnel like never before on challenges that they face as well as educating them on the benefits of legal fishing and how the country can increase its revenue earnings due to increased fish harvests.

In addition to the above,she has also bridged the gap between the different processing companies and FPU. For example, the Managing Director of Nile Perch Company, Mr. Manoj Sreekanta, praised her steadfast guidance, which has resulted in a substantial increase in production to 50 tons of fish per week.

This was during her three day guided and sensitization tour of fish processing factories in April this year.

As a matter of fact even private fish cage operators like Yalelo have hailed her extraordinary leadership that has intensified security operations on lake Victoria. Her impact extends beyond economic gains, instilling discipline and integrity among FPU soldiers, who have ceased engaging in corrupt practices and brutality, earning back the trust of fishermen.

Looking ahead, the prospects seem promising if Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa is retained as the FPU Commander.

Her visionary leadership has instilled confidence among both fishermen and government authorities like fisheries who always thought FPU who undermining their presence and expertise on lakes, fostering a newfound trust in the FPU and the UPDF.

With her at the helm, the fishing communities stand to benefit greatly, and the NRM could potentially secure massive victory in these regions by 2026 like never before.

Lt. Col. Mercy Tukahirwa’s exceptional efforts have not only improved the reputation of the UPDF on Ugandan lakes but have also paved the way for sustainable and ethical fishing practices, benefiting both the environment and the livelihoods of those dependent on the lakes for their sustenance.

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...

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