This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
On Sunday, Ugandan authorities arrested three Kenyan fishermen from Nyandiwa Beach in Suba South Sub County, Lake Victoria.
According to Suba South Sub-county Beach Management Unit Chairman William Onditi, the fishermen were detained on Hama Island in Uganda.
The Ugandan security personnel also confiscated two boat engines and fishing gears of unknown value, in addition to two boat engines worth over Sh400,000 from Sare Beach.
One of the engines was later spotted in Lolwe Island in Uganda, while the other remains unlocated.
Chairman Onditi called on the State to intervene in ensuring the release of the three fishermen, citing frequent harassment of Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria by Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities.
“Harassment of Kenyan fishermen has become rampant in Lake Victoria. We appeal for urgent intervention by the Government for a long term solution into this problem,” said Onditi.
Suba South Sub County Police commander Richard Cheruiyot stated that he was making efforts to gather more information about the incident.
“The person who notified us about the incident did not give enough details. I am going to Nyandiwa to seek more information about the occurrence,” said Cheruiyot.
