Talks on Migingo Island to resume
May 22, 2011
THE survey exercise to establish the location of the disputed Migingo Island on L. Victoria is due to resume over a year after the surveyors disagreed over procedures, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassodor James Mugume, has said.
By Milton Olupot
THE survey exercise to establish the location of the disputed Migingo Island on L. Victoria is due to resume over a year after the surveyors disagreed over procedures, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassodor James Mugume, has said.
Mugume on Friday denied receiving communication from the Kenyan government calling upon the Ugandan government to withdraw its forces from the island as reported by the Daily Nation of Kenya.
He said President Yoweri Museveni met Kenyan Premier Raila Odinga in May and agreed that the exercise resumes.
Mugume said the foreign affairs ministeries of Uganda and Kenya have been communicating on the issue after the meeting.
The Migingo dispute in early 2009 raised prospects of war between the two countries as each claimed ownership of the lucrative fishing Island.
Uganda hoisted its flag on the Island, prompting the Kenyan parliament to pass a Bill authorising president Mwai Kibaki to use all means at his disposal to defend the island.
The dispute triggered off violence in which some people were injured after a joint visit by ministers from the two countries to the Island that is home to about 200 people, mainly fishermen.
A joint verification committee was set up to establish the boundaries and determine which country owned the island.
The two countries, however, disagreed on the demarcation of boundaries and erection of boundary pillars.
The Ugandans wanted the pillars to be erected immediately while the Kenyans wanted the erection to be done after the boundaries had been agreed on.
The dispute put the joint team in disarray, prompting the Ugandan team to return to Kampala for consultations.
However, shortly after, the Kenyan team also left the area to consult and did not return.
Presently, the Uganda Police controls security on the disputed Island.
THE survey exercise to establish the location of the disputed Migingo Island on L. Victoria is due to resume over a year after the surveyors disagreed over procedures, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassodor James Mugume, has said.
Mugume on Friday denied receiving communication from the Kenyan government calling upon the Ugandan government to withdraw its forces from the island as reported by the Daily Nation of Kenya.
He said President Yoweri Museveni met Kenyan Premier Raila Odinga in May and agreed that the exercise resumes.
Mugume said the foreign affairs ministeries of Uganda and Kenya have been communicating on the issue after the meeting.
The Migingo dispute in early 2009 raised prospects of war between the two countries as each claimed ownership of the lucrative fishing Island.
Uganda hoisted its flag on the Island, prompting the Kenyan parliament to pass a Bill authorising president Mwai Kibaki to use all means at his disposal to defend the island.
The dispute triggered off violence in which some people were injured after a joint visit by ministers from the two countries to the Island that is home to about 200 people, mainly fishermen.
A joint verification committee was set up to establish the boundaries and determine which country owned the island.
The two countries, however, disagreed on the demarcation of boundaries and erection of boundary pillars.
The Ugandans wanted the pillars to be erected immediately while the Kenyans wanted the erection to be done after the boundaries had been agreed on.
The dispute put the joint team in disarray, prompting the Ugandan team to return to Kampala for consultations.
However, shortly after, the Kenyan team also left the area to consult and did not return.
Presently, the Uganda Police controls security on the disputed Island.