Kenya and Uganda security teams meet over fishing disputes

Busia, Wednesday, July 5, 2023

KNA by Salome Alwanda

Security teams from Kenya and Ugandan have met to resolved the impasse over fishing rights in Lake Victoria after local fisherman complained of harassment and intimidation from the authorities in neighbouring country.

The two teams met in Busia county to work jointly with a view to resolve the stalemate between the Uganda security officers and Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria that occurred on Monday night.

Speaking to the press after a bi lateral meeting at the Ugandan One Stop Border Post on Wednesday, Busia Uganda Resident District Commissioner Michael Kibwika said that the two countries have a duty to respect and promote peace and security along the borderline.

“We have resolved that at every point in life promote peace and security," he said, adding that anybody who engaged in the Monday scuffle will be held responsible individually.

Kibwika added that the two parties have also agreed to carry out joint investigations with a view to identify the cause of the scuffle and the responsible culprits.

“The Ugandan authorities have already arrested the sergeant who carried out the shooting and the other who commanded the action,” he said, adding that they will be held in police custody until the investigations are complete before being taken to court.

He blamed the constant conflicts between security officers and the fishermen on illegal fishing in Lake Victoria adding that if the issue is addressed there will be harmony along the border.

‘We have agreed as security committee that we shall sit at every quarter and review our performance and come up with mitigations where there are challenges.

The RDC further insisted that illegal fishing is a criminal offence that needs to be fought by both countries.

Busia Acting County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto said that the Kenyan security team had arrested a Ugandan coxswain and is expected to be in court today and face murder charges.

Ruto stated that there was a need to end the conflicts between security officers and fishermen in Lake Victoria.

“We are out to build cohesion and integration between the two member states and the business communities,” he said.

He explained that Lake Victoria is a shared resource and no conflict should arise over its use by the border communities.

“Kenya and Uganda are sisters and we are not going to allow conflicts within our waters,” he said.

The CC further reiterated that those who come in conflict with the law must however be prosecuted.

Namaingo Resident District Commissioner Debora Mwesigura asked communities from both sides of the border to maintain calm as investigations continue.

“As Uganda government, we commit to make sure that this case is conclusively handled and the person who committed the offense has to pay according to the law,” she said.

The meeting was held two days after a Kenyan fisherman was shot dead while another one was injured following a confrontation with some Ugandan security officers in Lake Victoria.

Courtesy ; K. N. A