We're ready to thwart marine gangs, says Brig. Nyarwa after L. Albert conquest

UPDF services are free and the defence force is always at a Ugandan's service when called upon, according to the UPDF Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Michael Nyarwa.

Brig. Nyarwa made the remarks while re-assuring fishermen that they will always be protected from any form of threat from the criminals operating in the waters.  

“We will never get tired or sit back and watch Ugandans suffering in the hands of these outlaws,” said Brig Nyarwa. 

The army chief accompanied the Minister of State for Fisheries Hellen Adoa on Wednesday while she assessed the extent of the damage caused by floods on the communities living along the shores of Lake Albert (Butiaba, Walukuba, Runga and Kaiso landing sites).

While there, Adoa hailed the role played by the UPDF Marines in securing Ugandan fishermen from aggression by criminals who operated on the waters of Lake Albert. 

“The UPDF has ably coordinated with their Congolese counterparts to foster good neighborliness. In this way, and through intensified operations on the waters of Lake Albert, they have by far addressed the longstanding problem of Ugandan fishermen being aggressed by some people who after afflicting our people utilized the laws governing international borders to escape by crossing over to the Democratic Republic of Congo side,” the minister said. 

At the lake, organized armed gangs used to confiscate the fishing gear of Ugandan fishermen or kidnap the fishermen for ransom.

On his part, Brig. Nyarwa emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the community and UPDF through timely information sharing.

“Be informed that UPDF services are never for a fee and we do not ask for facilitation from the public to perform our duties," the army commander said.

"Exoneration of persons suspected in crime too is for no charge. Kindly report to us anyone trying ask for any material thing from you in exchange for a favour or service."

Brig. Nyarwa also asked the communities to desist from criminal tendencies that expose them to possibilities of being conned. He particularly cautioned against illegal fishing practices and explained the benefits of compliance with the set fishing guidelines. 

“Do not put yourselves in situations that will render you targets of the conmen. Besides, why engage in illegal fishing activities?” said Brig Nyarwa. 

"If you say no to illegal fishing practices, you will reap more income. Already, before the COVID-19 pandemic, fishermen had started reaping big from the high demand for fish by the mushrooming fish factories, thanks to those who are observing the correct fishing practices.”