One person was shot dead by officers of the Uganda People's Defense Forces-UPDF that were deployed to stop illegal fishing practices on Lake Victoria. The deceased, an unidentified young man was found at Kusu Landing site in Bufumira Sub County Kalangala District last night.
An eye witness identified as Christopher Kyazze, accuses the soldiers of acting with force against an unarmed civilian who tried to escape arrest.
“They assumed he wanted to fight with soldiers. They called him, he had immature fish but he refused to go to them. They shot him. We ask soldiers to reduce on anger and force, otherwise they will finish us all” Kyazze said.
Residents accused the soldiers of confiscating their fish and later selling it, even when they claim it is immature.
“They confiscate dry fish. When they find them drying on fire, they ask you to finish drying. They then pack the fish in boxes and drive off with them, if such fish is not allowed on market, where do they take them, why do they want us to dry them well?” he wondered.
They also accused the army of dealing with a lady, only identified as Namusoke, a resident of Bugonga to whom they sell the fish and she takes them to the market.
They accuse the army of using them to catch fish, and later confiscating it for own gain.
The Kyamuswa County Member of Parliament Carol Nanyondo pleaded with the soldiers to stop the extra judicial killings, but rather arrest the errant fishermen and take them to court for prosecution.
When contacted last night, James Nuwagaba, the commandant of the fisheries protection Unit feigned ignorance of any killing, but instead defended his juniors.