Congolese held over illegal fishing
Oct 23, 2007
THE Police in Bushenyi district have arrested 12 Congolese men for allegedly entering Uganda illegally and fishing in Lake Edward. The district Police commander, Peter Onyura, said the men were arrested on Saturday at 5:00am near Kazinga fish landing site on Lake Edward in Katunguru sub-county. <br
By Chris Ahimbisibwe
THE Police in Bushenyi district have arrested 12 Congolese men for allegedly entering Uganda illegally and fishing in Lake Edward. The district Police commander, Peter Onyura, said the men were arrested on Saturday at 5:00am near Kazinga fish landing site on Lake Edward in Katunguru sub-county.
Onyura said the suspects had four motor-boat engines, four fuel tanks, four canoes and eight bundles of illegal four-inch fishing nets.
He identified them as Shetero Kakure, M. Kambale, Kakure Miyeneko, Lina Kambale, Lambele Kakuna, Sina Kakure and W. Kambare. Others were Paruku Kamuha, Kasereka Kilimbuku, Kakuru Kawoma, Kakure Kihoma and Augustine Songo.
The chairperson of the Kazinga landing site beach management unit, Musoke Lwanga, said Congolese fishermen were still invading Uganda and had disorganised fishing on Lake Edward.
The Congolese migrate with food and other necessities ready to settle in Uganda and start fishing.
“They have a surveillance boat which collects the fish while others remain in the water fishing,†Lwanga explained.
He also accused the Kasese district authorities of not helping to solve the matter.
However, one of the fishermen, Kakure Kihoma, told the Police that they were not aware that they had entered Uganda.
“They said there was no proper boundary showing where one should stop,†Onyura said.
He appealed to non-governmental organisations to sensitise the fishermen about the dangers of illegal fishing.
Asked how the illegal immigrants would be handled, Onyura said: “These are foreigners so diplomatic procedures have to be followed.â€
THE Police in Bushenyi district have arrested 12 Congolese men for allegedly entering Uganda illegally and fishing in Lake Edward. The district Police commander, Peter Onyura, said the men were arrested on Saturday at 5:00am near Kazinga fish landing site on Lake Edward in Katunguru sub-county.
Onyura said the suspects had four motor-boat engines, four fuel tanks, four canoes and eight bundles of illegal four-inch fishing nets.
He identified them as Shetero Kakure, M. Kambale, Kakure Miyeneko, Lina Kambale, Lambele Kakuna, Sina Kakure and W. Kambare. Others were Paruku Kamuha, Kasereka Kilimbuku, Kakuru Kawoma, Kakure Kihoma and Augustine Songo.
The chairperson of the Kazinga landing site beach management unit, Musoke Lwanga, said Congolese fishermen were still invading Uganda and had disorganised fishing on Lake Edward.
The Congolese migrate with food and other necessities ready to settle in Uganda and start fishing.
“They have a surveillance boat which collects the fish while others remain in the water fishing,†Lwanga explained.
He also accused the Kasese district authorities of not helping to solve the matter.
However, one of the fishermen, Kakure Kihoma, told the Police that they were not aware that they had entered Uganda.
“They said there was no proper boundary showing where one should stop,†Onyura said.
He appealed to non-governmental organisations to sensitise the fishermen about the dangers of illegal fishing.
Asked how the illegal immigrants would be handled, Onyura said: “These are foreigners so diplomatic procedures have to be followed.â€