Amolatar, Uganda — A UPDF officer was killed during a heated fisheries enforcement operation on Lake Kyoga, sparking renewed debate over military tactics and accountability on Uganda’s lakes.
Private Bedwin Mugisa Oyat, who was stationed at the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) in Namasale, Amolatar District, lost his life during an altercation with fishermen accused of illegal fishing.
According to official reports, Oyat was attacked by a fisherman he had just arrested between Bukungu in Buyende District and Namasale.
Lt. Lauben Ndifula, the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit spokesperson, confirmed the killing. He blamed it on a small but aggressive group of fishermen who have consistently defied fisheries laws.
“There’s an increasing trend of resistance from some fishermen on Lake Kyoga,” said Lt. Ndifula. “But we remain committed to restoring law and order.”
Private Oyat hailed from Payuta Village in Gulu District and died in the line of duty. Security agencies have launched investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Tensions Boil Over on Lake Kyoga
Lake Kyoga—stretching across Teso, Lango, and Busoga—has become a hotspot for confrontations between UPDF officers and fishing communities. While the army’s mandate is to curb illegal fishing practices and save the lake from ecological collapse, many locals feel the mission has spiraled into abuse.
At Bukungu landing site, a fisherman who spoke under anonymity claimed officers often take bribes, only to later arrest those they had “cleared.”
“They pocket our money and tell us when we can fish. But they still arrest us later,” he said bitterly.
Such allegations are not isolated. Civil society groups and local leaders have repeatedly accused the UPDF of heavy-handed tactics, including beatings, extortion, and intimidation.
The sentiment is especially strong in Busoga, where communities around Buyende, Kamuli, Mayuge, and Namayingo Districts remain distrustful of the army’s presence.
In the 2021 general elections, the ruling NRM party suffered embarrassing defeats in lakeside constituencies. Analysts and residents alike link these losses to frustrations over alleged abuses by UPDF enforcement units on the lakes.
“The army’s presence has done more to instill fear than encourage compliance,” said a local leader in Buyende. “We need enforcement, but it must be humane and accountable.”
Call for Urgent Reforms
The death of Private Oyat is a stark reminder of the volatility surrounding Uganda’s fisheries enforcement strategy.
While illegal fishing remains a major concern, experts and residents are now calling for a more community-centered approach that emphasizes dialogue, transparency, and accountability.
There’s growing pressure on the government to reassess how the UPDF operates on the lakes. Suggestions include introducing civilian oversight, involving local leaders in operations, and increasing transparency to root out rogue elements within the enforcement units.
For now, Private Oyat’s death adds another layer to an already tense relationship between the army and fishing communities—one that continues to erode trust with each violent encounter.
