Uganda Police Force - Protect and Serve

Vision

To provide an enlightened and motivated police force that is efficient and accountable to the people

Mission

To Secure life and property in partnership with the public in a committed and professional manner in order to promote development

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1.Status

A specialized unit of the Uganda Police Force with a national coverage
Reports directly to the IGP, but in close liaison with the Directorate of Operations

2. Core Mandate

To secure life and property on Uganda’s territorial waters (lakes and rivers) during peacetime; including Maritime SAR.

Map of Africa Showing Location of Uganda

Major Water Bodies in Uganda

Police Marine Unit Coverage
Lake Victoria

Located on the South/South East of Uganda; shared by three East African countries (i.e. Kenya 6%; Uganda 43% and Tanzania 51%)
Total surface area: 68,800 Sq.Km
Total shoreline: 3,440 Km
Maximum depth: 80 metres
Mean depth: 40 metres
Over 300 islands, with more than half in Uganda

Police Marine Locations on Lake Victoria:-

Police Marine Location:-

Located to the west of Uganda
Shared between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at approximate percentage of 50-50.
Total surface area: 5,600 Sq. Km
Length: 161 Km;
Width: 32 Km
Maximum depth: 51 metres

Police Marine Location:-

Lake Edward and Lake George

Lake Edward is shared between Uganda and the DRC
Lake George is entirely within Uganda’s territory
The two lakes are joined together by the Kazinga Channel, a major tourist attraction for bird-watching and game-viewing during a launch/boat cruise.
Marine coverage on these lakes presently undertaken by respective District Police Commanders

Command
Top Command

Other officers down the command structure include:

Functions

General maritime security through water patrols
Maritime Search and Rescue
VIP transport/escort
Security support to fisheries officers; especially during Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities, i.e. enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations
Alien interdiction (intercepting illegal immigrants)
Combating piracy & armed robbery at sea (lake).

Major Maritime Stakeholders

Marine Unit of the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB)
Uganda People’s Defence Forces – Marine Brigade (newly-created)
Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

Opportunities
Equipment

Super-fast surveillance interceptor boats - Elettra Commander 40’ (EC 40 Series).
Volvo Penta patrol boats
Fibreglass and wooden canoes to access shallow shorelines and creeks
Some few sets of diving gear

Personnel
Trainable personnel who have basic training and/or experience in:

Conclusion

The Police Marine Unit is steadily building capacity (both human and non-human) to effectively carry out its mandate of providing maritime security on Uganda’s water bodies in order to create a conducive environment for social, economic and political development of the country

Marine Unit Activities in Pictures
Interceptor Boat Transportation to Butiaba, Lake Albert