Being stung by a honeytrap is a constant security threat

Complex terrain, water proximity and wildlife are just some of the considerations that G4S Uganda had to account for when it recently took on a contract to secure a fish farm on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The site in Buikwe is owned by Yalelo, one of the largest aquaculture companies in Sub-Saharan Africa, and produces 8,400 tonnes of tilapia fish annually. Plans are underway to scale this up to 30,000 tonnes. 

G4S secures the entire production life cycle, covering assets both on land and in water. This includes fish hatchery systems, storage facilities, shops and logistical support structures, pond management areas, animal conservation zones and water access points.

“The dual nature of the contract requires operational flexibility and demands a higher level of training, discipline and situational awareness,” says Fred Mugenyi, Chief Operating Officer at G4S Uganda. “Our security officers must adapt to shoreline conditions, open water patrol coordination and more.” 

“Critically, we are supporting a high value aquaculture investment. Our role is not just to prevent unauthorised access but to safeguard biological production cycles, protect specialised infrastructure and maintain environmental compliance standards.”

Hatchery facilities

The production cycle begins on land where fingerlings are bred and raised in hatches under controlled conditions. G4S monitors the hatchery facilities, cage preparation areas, feed storage and equipment zones, among other areas. Given the biological sensitivity of this environment, strict monitoring is required to prevent contamination. 

Once matured, the fish are transferred into cages for further growth which are later positioned into the lake in designated zones for larger scale cultivation. “The farm is surrounded by marine life and submerged areas, making aquatic security both essential and technically demanding,” adds Fred. 

These cages require continuous monitoring to ensure protection against theft, unauthorised boat access and, again, environmental observation. 

Preventing theft and tampering 

Once harvesting from the cages is complete, the fish are transported to the processing facility where they are cleaned and prepared for distribution. Here, G4S is responsible for protection of the finished products, and monitoring load and dispatch procedures to prevent theft or tampering. 

With approximately 150 operational staff working within the farm daily, G4S also manages structured access control and crowd flow.

Training and workplace safety

To address the risks of water-based operations, every security officer undergoes a swimming proficiency test, water safety training, marine patrol orientation and wildlife handling procedures.  At night, when the risk is heightened, security officers will patrol the site via a boat. 

Fred says: “This synchronised land-water security model demonstrates G4S’s ability to manage multi-dimensional, high-risk environments. It’s a partnership grounded in trust and operational excellence.”