Several residents neighboring landing sites in Serere district have fled their homes following a raid by soldiers attached to Fisheries Protection Unit. 

The soldiers were seen conducting an operation against illegal fishing in Ajuba Landing Site in Kadungulu Sub County that sent horror to all the villages along the water shores.

  Their presence in the area forced many residents to abandon their homes. Noel Ogilut, the Village chairperson of Owarakwap in Kadungulu, says some residents spent time indoors and the nearby school after hearing about the soldiers.

He explains that the residents are terrified after hearing about army operations in other places where people were reportedly brutalized. He told salt Radio in an interview that almost half of the homes in the village have been abandoned as the occupants seek refuge from relatives outside the area.  

Benna Akol, the Serere District Vice chairperson, says the situation is tense and worrying as many residents have fled their homes. She explains that a number of boats were destroyed and several illegal fishing gears at Ajuba Landing site burnt to ashes.

She, however, noted that the team is only doing sensitization with the fishing community and are asking for vital information about fishing in the area. 

Akol revealed that even area local leaders around the landing sites have taken off from their residences, making work very difficult.