BY BICHOLIN K. MUSISI

Amolatar, Uganda |105.0 HUNTER FM NEWS| A Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit officer was killed in a violent encounter with  fishermen on Lake Kyogya during an operation aimed at curbing illegal fishing, in an incident that has reignited debate over military's conduct on Uganda's lakes.

The officer, identified as Private Bedwin Mugisa Oyat, was attached to the Namasale detach in Amolatar District.

He was reportedly attacked and killed by a fisherman he had arrested in the waters between Bukungu in Buyende District and Namasale.

UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit spoker's person Lt Lauben Ndifula confirmed the incident and attributed it to a group of fishermen known for repeatedly flouting fishing regulations.

"However, we remain committed to enforcing the law and restoring order on waters," said Lt. Ndufula.

Private Oyat is a native of payuta village in Padany parish, Awach Sub-county in Gulu District,  died in a line of duty and investigations are ongoing  to apprehend those invovled in the attack.

Lake  Kyoga, which stretches across regions including Teso, Lango, and Busoga, has recent years become a hotspot for conflict between the military and fishing communities.

While the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit was deployed to eliminate the use of illegal gear and unsustainable fishing methods, its methods have increasingly drawn criticism.

Fishermen accusse some UPDF officers of brutality, extortion, and hypocrisy at Bukungu landing site, a fisherman who requested anonymity alleged that officers  routinely accept bribes in exchange for allowing fishing outside regulated hours-only to later arrest those same fishermen.

"They take money from us and tell us when we can fish, but then turn around and arrest us even if after receiving the money," he said.

The UPDF has maintained that its operations are essential to protecting the fishing industry from collapse due to over fishing and use of prohibited methods.

But as the death of Private Oyat demonstrates, the hostility on the waters is escalating to dangerous levels.

As the army investigates the incident, pressure is increasing for a reassessment of how fisheries enforcement is managed-both to ensure the safety of officers and to rebuild trust with the communities they are meant to serve.