Ugandan police attack Kenyan fishermen in Migingo Island

By Nick Oluoch

Four Kenyan fishermen are in hospital after Ugandan police attacked them on Migingo Island.

They were allegedly beaten up on Tuesday evening, after claiming the island belongs to Kenya.

Two others were treated and discharged at the hospital in Muhuru Bay.

Witnesses said trouble began on Monday morning, soon after Prime Minister Raila Odinga visited Muhuru Bay, and told residents Migingo was in Kenya.

Raila tour

"The Prime Minister’s arrival caused a lot of anxiety among the Ugandan marine police, and they became hostile to Kenyans," Mr John Otieno, a fisherman told The Standard.

He said the Ugandans feared the PM could visit the island and address the fishermen.

He added Raila’s tour had a large number of fishermen leaving the island for Muhuru to listen to him.

However, when they returned to the island, they taunted the Ugandans, saying Raila had said it belonged to Kenya, sparking the attack.

Chairman of the Migingo Beach Management Unit Juma Ombori condemned the incident.

Migori DC Julius Mutula said he would write a protest letter to Uganda over the harassment of Kenyan fishermen on Migingo Island.

"The fishermen have informed us about it," Mr Mutula said, adding the letter will outline all complaints from the fishermen.

He cited the recent arrest of 12 Kenyan fishermen where they were fined Sh4,000 each for alleged kidnap.