Ugandan police attack Kenyan Administration Police officers at Migingo Island

By Jeckonia Otieno

Kenya: Three Kenyan Administration Police (AP) officers sustained serious injuries when a group of Ugandan police descended on them in Migingo Island on Sunday.

The three got into a tiff with their Ugandan counterparts, according to a source from the disputed island, after which the armed Ugandan officers unleashed terror on the Kenyan officers beating them severely.

The source claimed that the Ugandan officers who were heavily armed took on the hapless AP officers who could not defend themselves since they were outnumbered.

Working on orders from the head of operations of Ugandan Police in the island, the ugly incident is said to have occurred in full glare of residents of the island.

The official report is that the Ugandan police had allegedly left to go to Nyandiwa and they were stopped by the APs who insisted that if they were go to venture into Kenyan waters, then they had to leave their weapons in Migingo. This angered the Ugandans who allegedly dared the APs to set foot in Migingo.

“When the officers stationed at Ugingo came to buy food at Migingo, the Ugandan Police descended on them causing a ruckus that attracted the locals’ attention causing a huge gathering of onlookers who witnessed the whole scenario,” said the source.

By the time Kenyan police arrived at the scene, the APs had already been injured.

The officers were rushed to a local dispensary for treatment.

Confirming the incident, Nyatike deputy County Commissioner, Moses Ivuto, noted that it was an unfortunate incident which is being sorted out. He noted that most likely the new head of Ugandan police in the island was not aware that when his officers cross over into Kenya, they should not be armed and should be given escort.

“I must say that the matter is being investigated and must not be used to strain relationship between these two friendly countries bearing in mind that the issue of the island has been contentious,” said the deputy county commissioner.

Ivuto further noted that one Kenyan officer slid and fell on the rocks that mark the island. He said that an amicable solution will be found to the incident.

Kenya and Uganda have in the past differed over the small island, which a joint survey by both countries showed is in Kenya.