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Fourteen Congolese fishermen were exchanged for four Ugandan fishermen who had been abducted and detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo two weeks prior.

The exchange, organised following a joint security meeting chaired by Kasese Resident District Commissioner John Walusimbi on February 9, was confirmed by Police spokesperson Fred Enanga.

Enanga explained that the Congolese fishermen had been arrested for illegal entry, and as part of the exchange, 64 speed boat engines were also returned.

He made the remarks on Monday, while addressing Journalists on Monday at the Police headquarters in Nakawa, Kampala.

How it started?

Rukungiri Central Police Station in Kigezi region reported the suspected abduction of three Ugandan fishermen by people believed to be authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The development appears to be in retaliation to a recent incident that saw over 21 Congolese fishermen apprehended by Ugandan authorities over illegally crossing into Ugandan waters.

Then Enanga said the incident occurred near Ntungwa in Lake Edward, with the victims suspected of unintentionally crossing into the DRC part of the lake.

According to Enanga, the abducted fishermen include Bernard Kalungi, 46, on boat number 51 registered to David Mpungirehi. Others believed to have been arrested are Joseph Aturinda, 31and Baneti Byabagambi, 34, on boat number 75 belonging to Latibu Tumusiime. All victims were residents of Rwenshama landing site in Bwambara sub-county, Bujumbura county.

Earlier incident

Uganda army's Fisheries Protection Unit arrested 21 Congolese fishermen over illegally encroaching on the Ugandan waters of Lake Edward.

Unit commander Lt. Hatim Mbaziira in charge of lakes George and Edward, and the Kazinga Chunnel made the revelations on January 19, 2024. This was at Katwe Kabatooro Police division in Katwe, Kabatooro town council in Kasese district where the suspects were detained pending sanction in courts of law for their alleged illegalities.

According to Mbaziira, the arrest happened after two days of massive operation on the three water bodies in the districts of Kasese and Rukungiri where the suspects were even allegedly found with illegal fishing gear.

"They had crossed from DR Congo and we arrested them in areas of Rwenshama, Kisenyi, Kagyezi and Ntungwa," Mbaziira said.

"We also confiscated from them seven small boats, 57 engines and all other illegal fishing gears like small nets," he added.

Source of livelihood affected

According to Mbaziira, although DR Congo exploits 75% coverage of Lake Edward water, their fishermen have continuously encroached on Uganda's 25% depriving Ugandan fishermen of adequate fish hence low revenue to the country.

"At the end of the day our fishermen get low or sometimes no catch," he said.

Katwe Kabatooro town council LC3 chairperson John Bosco Kananura revealed that the continuous influx of Congolese fishermen on the Ugandan waters has caused a lot of harm to the communities of Katwe, which largely depend on fishing as their economic activity.

"If they do not go fishing, their children do not go to school," Kananura said.

Security meeting

To that effect a district security meeting, which was attended by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), regional Police commander (RPC) and Fisheries Protection Unit commander, among others, was held at Katwe Kabatooro Police division headquarters.

Shortly after the meeting, Kasese RDC Lt. Joe Walusimbi urged DR Congo leaders to sensitise their fishermen on the effective usage of Lake Edward.

"We are going to engage their leaders," Walusimbi said.