Migingo small issue â€" Kenyan judge

Sep 09, 2011

THE Migingo Island dispute cannot stop East African integration, Willy Mutunga, the chief Justice and President of the Kenya Supreme Court, has said.

By Miriam Ochakolong and Saudha Nakandha

THE Migingo Island dispute cannot stop East African integration, Willy Mutunga, the chief Justice and President of the Kenya Supreme Court, has said.

“Migingo Island is a small issue that is being handled by the two countries. East Africa will be too big for this caucus,” Mutunga said.

He made the remarks on Thursday at the laying of a foundation stone for FIDA house–Uganda in Bukoto, a city suburb.

Mutunga urged the two countries to reach an amicable understanding through dialogue, saying it was the only way to avoid war.

He advised human rights bodies to build lasting relationships with grassroots counterparts basing on equality and respect.

“We have succeeded in demanding our rights of movement and association although we cannot take them for granted. We should move to the countryside and make sure our people’s rights are protected,” Mutunga said.

Jennifer Kagugube, the chairperson of the FIDA board of trustees, acknowledged musicians for recognising women in their songs.

In February 2009, a dispute flared over Migingo Island when Kenyans living on the island were required to purchase special permits from the Ugandan Government.

This sparked off a row between the two countries.

Ugandan authorities proposed that the matter be resolved by a survey using boundaries set by the Kenya Colony and Protectorate Order in 1926.

Kenya and Uganda later agreed to allow fishermen from both sides to continue conducting business until the boundaries were determined by experts.

They also agreed that Uganda withdraws the 48 policemen it had deployed on the island.

Later, President Yoweri Museveni and Kenya’s leader, Mwai Kibaki, agreed to resolve the matter in the spirit of East African integration.

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