Written by Cajetan Okondo 2012-07-07 11:42:00 Read 581 Times

Port Victoria 

Kenyan and Ugandan officials have resolved to work closely to curb piracy along Sumba Island on Lake Victoria.

The joint talks that were held in Bunyala District convened by Mr. Khalif Abdi at Port Victoria with senior Government officials from Uganda said they will also ensure business being done is legal after seven boats were caught by Kenyan police last month belonging to Ugandan fishermen.

Khalif said that nobody shall acquire properties in illegally and therefore, urged fishermen from both countries to ensure that their engines are well branded with countries codes to avoid confusion and conflicts when marine officers are patrolling in the lake.

“If any fisherman or pirate shall be found guilty, they shall be punished according to the law without bothering if he’s from Kenyan or Ugandan side and for so he asked fishermen to inter trade as one Eastern African Community,” he noted.

Resident District Commissioner for Namayingo, Uganda Mr. Joram Mayatsa, also seconded by saying that he shall work closely with Kenyan government to solve curb the piracy along the Lake Victoria.

Mr. Abdi informed West Fm that the government has set new regulations that shall restrict fishermen from Kenyan territory to fishing immature fish as one way of protecting natural resources

Fishermen from Sumba Island along Kenya – Uganda border claimed that they are always harassed by Ugandan marine officers when carrying out their fishing activity.

Fishermen from Sigulu Island lolwe Ugandan side also complained that they are normally intimidated by Kenyan policemen when they report their stolen engine boats by Kenyan pirates at Port Victoria police station.

Some of the dangerous fishing zones along Lake Victoria are; lolwe, Lubwi, Buyanga, in Buvuma District in Uganda and Kenyan side: Sumba Island, Sigulu Island and Sio Port in Samia District.

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