Fishermen on Lake Victoria are breathing a sigh of relief following bilateral talks between Kenya and Uganda aimed at addressing frequent harassment by Ugandan security personnel. For years, Kenyan fishermen have faced arrests and hefty fines for alleged encroachment and violations of fishing policies, severely impacting the fishing communities along the border.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo’s inquiry, revealed that discussions took place from May 12th to 14th, 2024. These talks focused on identifying and resolving the challenges fishermen encounter on Lake Victoria, marking a significant step toward a more cooperative approach.
Rep. Omanyo, who recently distributed life jackets to local fishermen at Bumbe Beach in Funyula, emphasized Kenya and Uganda’s longstanding relationship, which spans social and economic ties. "Kenya and Uganda have enjoyed cordial relations, dating back to colonial days," she noted, stressing the importance of finding peaceful solutions to cross-border disputes affecting the lake.
During the meeting, both nations resolved to harmonize fishing policies. This includes training fishermen to use appropriate fishing gear to prevent the capture of immature fish, helping to protect and sustain the fish population. The Ministry also pledged regular engagement with Ugandan counterparts through Kenya's embassy and the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) established in April 2022, which will be implemented via the Joint Defence Committee (JDC).
Omanyo’s advocacy comes amid rising tensions, with reports of over 20 Kenyan fishermen currently detained in Uganda. Last year alone, more than 230 were arrested for alleged encroachment and policy violations. Destruction of fishing equipment has compounded losses, impacting families in Bunyala and Samia Sub-counties, where fishing accounts for 40% of economic activity.
The depletion of Lake Victoria’s fish stock has become a pressing issue, leading Omanyo to call on county governors from Busia, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu to adopt fish cage farming. “The fish population has declined, and both County and National governments must find new solutions to preserve livelihoods dependent on the lake,” she said.
The cross-border tensions also extend to trade. Kenyan fish vendors have reported harassment and extortion by Ugandan officials, with some losing shipments worth millions. Judy Atieno, a fish vendor from Busia, recounted how she lost 90 tonnes of fish worth KSh 50 million to Ugandan authorities last year. “We’re still repaying bank loans as we figure out our next steps,” she lamented.
To address these issues, Kenya and Uganda have agreed to the following measures:
- Fishermen from both countries will be educated on licensing requirements and appropriate fishing gear.
- Kenyan fishermen wishing to fish in Ugandan waters must obtain licenses.
- Only uniformed security personnel will conduct arrests to prevent extortion and conflicts with rogue operators on the lake.
- Regular meetings between the two countries will address any arising issues and misunderstandings.
These resolutions will enable Kenyan fish traders and fishermen to continue exporting over 800 metric tonnes of fish to the DRC and South Sudan each week, supporting an industry that employs over 4,000 youth in Busia County. For fishermen and traders alike, this agreement signals a hopeful shift toward security, fairness, and sustainability on Lake Victoria
0 Comments