Piracy investigated on Lake Victoria
Sep 29, 2009
SECURITY organs in Uganda and Tanzania are to investigate reports that armed pirates from Tanzania have been beating up Ugandan fishermen on Lake Victoria and grabbing their boats. Rakai resident district commissioner Ida Bikorwenda on Friday said she had
By Fred Turyakira
SECURITY organs in Uganda and Tanzania are to investigate reports that armed pirates from Tanzania have been beating up Ugandan fishermen on Lake Victoria and grabbing their boats. Rakai resident district commissioner Ida Bikorwenda on Friday said she had received reports of the piracy and wanted the cooperation of the Tanzanian authorities.
Bikorwenda was speaking during a meeting between the two countries at Kyabirikwa hall in Isingiro district. The meeting was attended by Ugandan representatives from Mbarara, Rakai and Isingiro districts and Tanzanian representatives from Karagwe and Misenyi districts.
According to fishermen at Kashenshero community in Rakai, pirates from Tanzania hire Ugandan fishermen, make them cross the lake only to beat them up and rob them of their boats once they reach the mainland.
The participants agreed to investigate the allegations. The delegates also decried the irresponsible fishing methods, such as the catching of immature fish, which have depleted the fish stock in Lake Victoria.
Misenyi district commissioner Col. Issa Njiku urged Uganda to show commitment in fighting bad fishing methods by banning the use of illegal nets. Bikorwenda called upon other districts, such as Kalangala, to join the fight against pollution of the lake by fishermen.
SECURITY organs in Uganda and Tanzania are to investigate reports that armed pirates from Tanzania have been beating up Ugandan fishermen on Lake Victoria and grabbing their boats. Rakai resident district commissioner Ida Bikorwenda on Friday said she had received reports of the piracy and wanted the cooperation of the Tanzanian authorities.
Bikorwenda was speaking during a meeting between the two countries at Kyabirikwa hall in Isingiro district. The meeting was attended by Ugandan representatives from Mbarara, Rakai and Isingiro districts and Tanzanian representatives from Karagwe and Misenyi districts.
According to fishermen at Kashenshero community in Rakai, pirates from Tanzania hire Ugandan fishermen, make them cross the lake only to beat them up and rob them of their boats once they reach the mainland.
The participants agreed to investigate the allegations. The delegates also decried the irresponsible fishing methods, such as the catching of immature fish, which have depleted the fish stock in Lake Victoria.
Misenyi district commissioner Col. Issa Njiku urged Uganda to show commitment in fighting bad fishing methods by banning the use of illegal nets. Bikorwenda called upon other districts, such as Kalangala, to join the fight against pollution of the lake by fishermen.