HOMA BAY – President William Ruto will seek to resolve the longstanding dispute between Kenya and Uganda leading to detention of Kenyan fishermen in the East African partner state.
Speaking on Saturday in Homa Bay during his second day of his working tour, President Ruto said is set to travel to Uganda on October 10, when he will hold talks with his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni.Â
The President said resolving the dispute will be top of his agenda during the bilateral talks.
“I will be paying my elder brother a visit in Uganda and this is one of the issues that is lined up on the agenda. I want to give my assurances that I will put this matter to rest,” he said.
Ruto was responding a request by host Governor Gladys Wanga, who had asked him to intervene and stop the arrest of Kenyan fishermen and even security officers by their Ugandan counterparts.Â
Wanga said the Kenya Coast Guard Service officers should be empowered to enhance their efforts in safeguarding Lake Victoria.
“The security of fishermen in Lake Victoria is key and should be enhanced by empowering our security officers who man the lake,” she said.
In the protracted conflict, three fishermen – famously known as the “Bujiri 3” – were arrested deep in the waters of Lake Victoria in May 2021 by security officers from Uganda. The fishermen were arrested after they were allegedly found undertaking illegal fishing activities in Lake Victoria.
In March this year, some 51 fishermen from Remba Island in Suba North constituency were arrested by Ugandan security personnel for allegedly operating without a valid licence. Their boats were also confiscated.
They were later released after intervention by security officials from Homa Bay county.
The Kenya-Uganda dispute revolves around fishing rights in Lake Victoria.
Over time, Kenyan fishermen have faced arrests and detentions in Uganda for fishing in areas that Uganda claims as its territorial waters.
At the heart of the dispute lies the contention overfishing rights and territorial boundaries within Lake Victoria.
Migingo Island, central to the dispute, has a predominantly Kenyan population, and tensions have escalated due to conflicting claims regarding the island’s ownership.
The situation has escalated over the years, with reports of shootings, arrests, and clashes involving the Fisheries Protection Unit, Kenya Coast Guards, and security teams from both countries.
During the visit, Ruto launched the construction and rehabilitation of the Sh600-Million Homa Bay Pier in Homa Bay County, which he said will take six months to complete
“Homa Bay Pier will reconnect Kisumu, Entebbe, Mwanza and other strategic towns along the edges of Lake Victoria, thereby support fishing in the area and expand intra-East African trade. This will create more jobs, generate wealth and increase economic opportunities for the people in the region,” the President said.
