Leo Odera Omolo
Concerted efforts are under the way to end serious diplomatic squabbles between Kenyan and Uganda of the alleged illegal occupation by the Kampala authorities of four fishing islands , which are located on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria.
A Ugandan national flag has been hoisted at Migingo Island, which is so close to the mainland Kenyan, and only eight kilometers off shore of Sori Town in Karungu Bay in Macalder Division of Migori district.
The Ugandan defiantly seized and occupied this important fishing island despite the fact that the East African map is clearly showing that this particular island is on the Kenyan side of the lake.
In the early 1970s, former despotic rule of Uganda the late Idi Amin unilaterally annexed Sigulu Island, which for many years was part and parcel of Kenya. Amin forced a population of close to 10,000 Kenyan people to be formerly naturalized Ugandan and immediately appointed his countryman as the new administrative chief of the island.
Sigulu is one of the largest islands blesses with fertile and arable land. It has a lot of forests, which are full of indigenous trees. The majority of its inhabitants are Kenyan of Luo, Suba, Manyala and Samia tribesmen.
Speaking in Kisumu this week, Kenya’s Minister for Fisheries Dr. Paul Otuoma said the Nairobi government would seek a diplomatic settlement of this issue.
“The conflict is not only about the boundaries across the lake, but largely due to economic liveluihood.”
Remba, Ringiti islands and part of Muhuru Bay, are among the areas in dispute. In the recent past, Kenyan fishermen have been arrested and charged for trespassing and fishing on foreign land. The Kenyans had their fishing gears confiscated and some of them jailed for six months. Those who were able to raise fines, paid exhorbitant fines ranging from kshs 20,000 to kshs 40,000 respectively
Dr. Otuoma said the conflict would be handled by the Foreign Affairs and Lands Ministries with their counter parts in Uganda and Tanzania.
The boundary disputes on the lake emerged in the year 2000 when more than 30 Kenyan fishermen ,travelling in two outboard engine boats were robbed of fish, money and other valuables by people who claims to be members of the Uganda Revenue Authority{URA}. The men were accompanied by armed soldiers.
In another raid on July 14, 2003 Ugandan officials attached to the Revenue Prevention Unit arrested 87 Kenyan fishermen at Sumba and Siro islands. The issue caused uproar in both Nairobi and Kampala.
In the same year Tanzanian authorities seized close to 28 Kenyan fishermen, took them to Musoma and eventually to Tarime district where they were charged with the tresspassi related offences.
“We want to act before the issue gets out of hand. It can only get worse with the dwindling fish stocks in Lake Victoria,” said the Minister.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Assistant minister Abu Chiaba made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the Nyanza P>C> Paul Olando in his Kisumu office .Also present were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Micheni Ntiba and the director of the KENYAN Marine and Fisheries Research Institute Johnson Kazungu.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are sharing the waters of the Lake Victoria, with Tanzania having the lion’s share of 52 per cent, Uganda has 44 per cent while Kenya has the smallest portion- only 6 per cebnt. But most major rivers feeding the lake originated from the Kenyan highlands.
The disputes between the three countries- all members of the East African Community {EAC} despite of the properly define boundaries inside the lake. What used to be there were the signals which were erected in the late 1920 and the late 1930s which were only meant for guiding steamers, ships and boasts.
Uganda declined to issue any comment.
ENDS
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:41:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: KENYA AND UGANDA TO RESOLVE LONG STANDING DISPUTES OVER SEIZED FISHING ISLANDS IN LAKE VICTORIA.