Masaka Security Arms Fishermen To Fight L Victoria Pirates

By Eddie Ssejjoba SECURITY officials in Masaka have armed fishermen at Malembo and Dimo fish landing sites on the shores of Lake Victoria to defend themselves against lake pirates that have terrorised them in the past weeks. Rose Mutonyi, the Masaka Resident District Commissioner, told The New Vision that the district security committee had decided to supply guns to fishermen after several attacks on them by armed men. She said the armed men last week again attacked fishermen after several other similar attacks in the past. Mutonyi said the armed gang attacked Malembo and Dimo sites and robbed the fishermen of five boat engines fishnets and jerrycans of fuel and other valuable items. The fishing community in the landing sites had last week requested the district authorities to provide them with security before they returned to the lake, for fear of another attack. Mutonyi said some fishermen are army veterans and others are in the local defence units who know how to use the gun. "At least each boat or a fleet will be accompanied by an armed personnel to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the fishermen," she said. Steven Kasiima, the district Police Commander, said the police would patrol the lake. He said the move had been decided to strengthen the security on the lake. Kasiima said the marine police were still pursuing the pirates who robbed the fishermen. Pirates also recently attacked Kasensero fish landing site in Rakai and robbed fishermen of over ten boat engines before disappearing towards Tanzania. Ends