This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On November 7, 2019, the Kenyan government made a significant concession in the long-standing dispute over Migingo Island with Uganda.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma announced that Kenya had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ugandan authorities to facilitate shared access to the island and its resources, including fishing.
"Kenyans should know that these boundaries are shared by communities across the countries, and we have to find a way to make them soft," CS Monica Juma said, highlighting the need for cooperation.
However, local fishermen have expressed concerns that the real issue is not access to fishing, but rather the harassment and intimidation they face from Ugandan soldiers who raid the island and impose "military punishment" on civilians.
"These Museveni men come and treat us like school kids. They take our fish and tell us to report them to whoever we feel is our leader. They even want us to paint out our boats with the colors of the Ugandan flag," an anonymous fisherman revealed.
The government's decision to sign the MoU has been met with skepticism, with many questioning its effectiveness in addressing the real concerns of the local community.
