oma Bay Fishermen Cry Foul Over Ugandan Arrests
the chairman of Ringiti Island Beach Management Unit, confirmed the attack. He said that the fishermen were accused by Ugandan officials
Odhiambo explained how the arrested fishermen and boats were driven to Lolwe Island in Uganda. He further explained that it has been a recurring problem for the local fishermen. PHOTO/ FILE/REUTERS/Euan
By Juliet Jerotich
Twenty-four fishermen from Suba West’s Ringiti Island in Homa Bay County are in the custody of Ugandan security agents. Six boats belonging to the crew were also seized during the operation, which has caused rising tension on the waters of Lake Victoria.
Two days of consecutive arrests took place. Ugandan patrol officers impounded three boats that were fishing in the lake on Wednesday night. Three more boats were impounded the next morning in a second raid. Four fishermen were on board each of the six boats at the time.
Barnabas Odhiambo, the chairman of Ringiti Island Beach Management Unit, confirmed the attack. He said that the fishermen were accused by Ugandan officials of crossing into Ugandan waters, which he vehemently denied. In his opinion, the fishermen were inside Kenyan waters at the time of the attack.
Odhiambo explained how the arrested fishermen and boats were driven to Lolwe Island in Uganda. He further explained that it has been a recurring problem for the local fishermen. “For a boat, Ugandan authorities normally demand Ksh 50,000. For a fisherman, they demand Ksh 10,000 and Ksh 20,000,” he revealed.
He lamented harassment at the hands of the Ugandan officials and stated that the fishermen are left stranded without any help. Fishery is the sole survival for most households on Ringiti Island, and arrests disrupt their livelihood source. Odhiambo added that the frequent intimidation scares away the fishermen from working in fear.
He called for the two governments to intervene immediately to put an end to the war. In his view, a conference between Kenya and Uganda would help determine clear boundaries and reduce harassment. “We have complained many times, and yet the problem continues to resurface. Our people cannot be subjected to this anymore,” Odhiambo said.
The arrests have heightened anxiety among local fishermen who fear going into the lake, even within Kenyan waters. They say that they do not feel safe, and some have abandoned fishing in its entirety. The community leaders now insist that the government secure its citizens and protect their rights to conduct their operations freely on Lake Victoria.
The impasse feeds into decades of disagreements between Kenyan fishermen and Ugandan authorities over fishing grounds and Lake Victoria border security.
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