Fishermen to produce torture evidence for compensation

Fishermen accusing the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), a marine section of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), of torture have been told to produce evidence in order to be compensated.

Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, the UPDF Chief of Land Forces, told the fishing community of Kandege Landing Site in Namayingo District at the weekend that  the President has received reports of their alleged torture by the FPU.

He, however, added that those found culpable would be punished, but only after the culprits have produced evidence.
“I have come to listen to complaints about some of our FPU commanders who are beating and confiscating your fishing gears. Those found guilty will be held responsible for crimes against civilians at individual level, not as the UPDF institution.

“And fishermen who have been tortured or whose motor boat engines and illegal nets were confiscated by the FPU will have to produce evidence for compensation because it is going to be a process,” he said.
The fishing community further accused the Association of Fisheries and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU), an outfit created to work with the FPU, of allegedly using army uniforms to steal their property and confiscate their fish during operations.

Mr Emmanuel Aimaitum, LC1 chairperson of Agwara Landing Site in Serere District, where the government procured 800 boats for fishermen at a cost of Shs1.7m, said only about 290 fishermen have so far received their boats.

Mr Raymond Mukisa, one of the political leaders in the district, said the aggressiveness of the army on fishermen has created fear among the communities who cannot openly speak out against their alleged atrocities.
The meeting, which was meant to be held in an open place in order to allow all fishermen to participate, was instead held in the FPU, which limited people from attendance.  National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadres, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said failure by the government to decisively deal with the alleged torture of fishermen will cost the party votes.

Ms Hellen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries, directed that all vehicles, motorcycles and engines boats that belong to the fishermen but were confiscated by the FPU during operations, be returned.
Mr Joseph Lukwago, the eastern region AFALU vice chairperson, at the weekend welcomed the idea of fishermen producing evidence as one of requirements to be compensated.

“One thing I must emphasise is that the fishermen were all aware of the operations on the water in fighting illegal fishing and every operation was in line with the guidelines provided,” Mr Lukwago said.
Mr Johnson Tabule, the chairman of the fishing community at the Old Bridge, however, urged the government to set up an independent committee incorporated within the army to register fishermen who lost property and are due for compensation.

About FPU
The government in 2017 set up the FPU to crack down on illegal fishing activities on Ugandan water bodies, which was blamed for the dwindling fish stocks in the country.  

Their activities led to the reopening of hitherto closed fish factories; however, the unit has over the last few years come under heavy criticism, with accusations of being high-handed in its operations. Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament, last year directed the FPU to halt its operations on all water bodies, citing alleged mistreatment of fishing communities. It is not clear whether the recent reshuffle that saw the FPU commander, Lt Col James Nuwagaba, replaced by Lt Col Dick Kirya Kaija, were connected to such developments.

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