By KT Reporter
Fishermen at the Kasensero landing site in Kyotera district are appealing to the government to find a lasting solution to the persistent cross-border robberies committed on Lake Victoria waters.
They indicate that they have persistently lost lives and properties to planned robberies committed by their counterparts from the Republic of Tanzania, with whom they share the Lake Victoria waters.
Damiano Mugerwa, one of the fishermen at the landing site says that they are operating under intense fear of attacks by Tanzanian fishermen, who he says are too hostile to Ugandans.
He accuses the Tanzanians of laying ambushes on the water, especially at night, targeting Ugandans from whom they rob boat engines, fish catches and fuel.
Mugerwa indicates that their Tanzanian counterparts carry out the robberies with utmost impunity, and they can hardly be pursued to take liability for their offences.
Moses Kimbugwe, another fisherman at Kasensero landing site has called upon the government to liaise with the Tanzanian authorities to curtail the robberies and attacks on Ugandans.
He says that despite the absence of clear boundaries between the two countries on Lake Victoria, the Tanzanians accuse Ugandans of casting their fishing gear beyond their border, hence confiscating their properties and torturing the victims.
He indicates that besides that loss of property, the incidents have also led to the loss of lives due to drowning or shooting.
Lawrence Muganga, the Chairperson Kasensero Fishermen’s Association indicates that the current hostilities between them and Tanzanians are also contributing to high numbers of offshore murders, which he says could be a result of acts of retaliation.
He says they considered directly petitioning the relevant Ministries of Defense, Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries to intervene and contain the fierce situation.
Muganga argues that local security organs including the Fisheries Protection Union have failed to prevail over the situation.
Apollo Mugume, the Kyotera Resident District Commissioner confirms that they are aware of the fishermen’s concerns, saying that his office has formally notified higher authorities in government to initiate bilateral discussions with the Tanzanian authorities to settle the problem. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
