Ethiopian Review

Ugandan police guarding the disputed Migingo Island fired in the air to quell a protest by Kenyan fishermen following the arrest of six of their colleagues.

The arrests have raised tension at a time surveyors from the two countries are working to determine ownership of the island.

Migori DC Julius Mutula confirmed the arrests, but said it was a minor issue “which was being sorted out”.

Sources in Migingo said gunshots rang out as the Ugandans broke up a protest by Kenyans on Tuesday night.

The fishermen were arrested after they allegedly went fishing on the Ugandan side of the lake.

Migingo Beach Management Unit chairman Juma Ombori said many Kenyans were leaving the island following “fresh aggression” by Ugandan security.

Mr Ombori said the Ugandans also took away their fish. By yesterday, the fishermen were still locked in a small cell within the island. Word has spread they were about to be transferred to Bugiri Prison in Uganda.

He said tension was high at night after Kenyan fishermen attempted to protest prompting the Ugandan authorities to fire several times in the air to disperse them.

- By Nick Oluoch | The Standard