This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Kenya and Uganda Agree to Share Disputed Migingo Island ¶
Published on November 7, 2019
Kenya has agreed to share the disputed Migingo island with Uganda, despite maintaining that the land is in Kenya. The agreement comes after Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ugandan authorities to enable fishermen and other Lake Victoria users to access either side of the boundary.
According to CS Juma, the next step is to set the modalities for access management and sharing of resources. She emphasized that the boundaries between the two countries are shared by communities and that finding a way to make them 'soft' is crucial.
CS Juma reassured Kenyans that their interests are at the top of their minds and that reducing the risks they face in accessing trans-boundary resources is a priority. However, she also made it clear that the territorial integrity of Kenya will never be negotiated away.
Ugandan forces have been accused of terrorizing Kenyans over the land, which is estimated to be just three kilometers from Muhuru Bay in Migori County.
