Two Kenyan fishermen were fatally shot by a UPDF (Uganda People’s Defense Force) officer following a disagreement over the location of their fishing nets. The incident took place at Sumba Island, located in Busia County.
The confrontation began when the fishermen from Marengo Beach went fishing on Lake Victoria. Shortly after casting their nets, a UPDF boat approached them, questioning why they were fishing on the wrong side of the lake.
This led to an altercation, resulting in the UPDF officer firing bullets. Paul Owinyi was killed instantly, while Fred Majoni succumbed to his injuries later in the hospital.
Upon witnessing the situation, the remaining fishermen quickly jumped into the water and swam away to escape from the UPDF. Unfortunately, one fisherman was unable to reach the shore during their attempt to flee. Concerned about their missing colleague, one of the fishermen expressed uncertainty about his whereabouts.
The Officer in Charge of Police District (OCPD), Isaiah Mose, received a phone alert from George Osoro, the interim GMU (General Manager Unit) of Sumba Island, confirming the incidents.
The coast guard promptly responded to the scene, where they discovered one fatality and rushed the injured individual to the hospital, but he tragically passed away. Three other fishermen were successfully rescued during the operation.
Following the incident, the fishermen called for a meeting between Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to address the ongoing water-related issues between the two countries.
They believed that only the two presidents could provide a resolution to their struggles, fearing the dire consequences they faced in those waters.
The fishermen also contended that their nets were positioned within Kenyan territory. The territorial dispute over Migingo Island has been ongoing since 2004, with both Kenya and Uganda claiming ownership of the island. The residents of Migingo Island have suffered as a result of this conflict.
Both countries maintain a presence on the island through their respective police forces, while diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute have thus far been unsuccessful. In December 2012, during voter registration, Kenyans protesting against police interference were confronted by armed Ugandan officials stationed on the island.
