Three fishermen held for two years in Uganda released

Busia,

Thursday, September 14, 2023

KNA by Salome Alwanda

Three Kenyan fishermen who were arrested by Ugandan Authorities two years ago have been released unconditionally.

Speaking while handing over the fishermen to Busia County Security Team at Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP), Namayingo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Debora Mugerwa said that three who have been languishing in Bujiri prison since May 2021 were released following bilateral agreements between the two countries.

“We have been having bilateral cross border committee meetings due to security concerns between Kenya and Uganda and we agreed that the trio be released unconditionally,” she said.

Mugerwa added that the Ugandan court dropped the robbery charges against the trio expressing confidence that the cordial relationship between the two countries will continue.

“They committed aggravated robbery and have been in prison for two years,” she said.

She at the same time said that the leadership of the two countries should continue to sensitize the local fishermen to adhere to the existing laws governing the sector.

Busia County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto thanked the RDC for handing over the Bujiri three.

Ruto explained that the trio faced charges bordering on illegal fishing in Lake Victoria.

“They dropped the charges after our discussions several months ago and brought the fishermen from Bunyala Sub County,” he said.

He added that Lake Victoria is a shared resource and its use must be guided in accordance with the existing regulations of the two countries.

The CC stated that a number of Kenyan fishermen had been arrested by Ugandan authorities in the past but they were normally released through negotiations.

“These are minor offences which are normally sorted by officers in Lake Victoria but this particular one was in the high court of Uganda and we had to intervene,” he said.

George Onyango Ogutu, David Ouma and Patrick Juma (the released fishermen) thanked the Government for intervening in their case.

“I want to request the government to support us so that we can continue with our lives,” said Onyango, adding that he was accused of stealing a boat engine but he proved to the Ugandan court the boat belonged to him.

The trio requested the government to support them so that they could continue with their lives.

Busia County Chairman of the Beach Management Network Sylvester Kaywa thanked President William Ruto for the release of the trio.

Kaywa urged the fishermen to adhere to the existing fishery laws and requested the National government to introduce exchange gear programme to enable the fishermen to have legal fishing gears

He stated that around 80 Kenyan fishermen have been arrested by Ugandan authorities since January this year but they have been released through bi lateral negotiations.

Courtesy; KNA

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