Uganda and Kenya Fighting for Island
Kenyan authorities have warned the Ugandan government to stop claiming rights over the disputed Migingo Island located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Bugiri District. The Nyanza Provincial Commissioner, Mr. Paul Olando has accused Ugandan authorities of trespass and insisted that the Ugandan flag on the Island be removed since Migingo Island is historically part of Kenyan territory.” The local people whose memory cannot be doubted confirmed that this Island belongs to Kenya," said Mr. Olando.
"There is no doubt that Migingo is part of Kenya. In fact, on this Island, we have over 400 Kenyans and a few other people from Tanzania, Congo and Uganda as well." He added. The dispute is suspected to have spark controversy between the two countries after Ugandan authorities expelled over 400 fishermen for failure to comply with the country's rules. Foreign Affairs State Minister of Uganda, Mr. Okello Oryem, said the matter was being handled by Internal Affairs Ministry. Mr. Matia Kasaija, the State Minister for Internal Affairs said Kenyans cannot claim the Migingo Island because it belongs to Uganda until the colonialists decide otherwise. He said they had instructed the Lands Minister to sort out the problem and shall invite the Kenyans to a joint resurveying exercise of the island to determine the owner.
"There is no doubt that Migingo is part of Kenya. In fact, on this Island, we have over 400 Kenyans and a few other people from Tanzania, Congo and Uganda as well." He added. The dispute is suspected to have spark controversy between the two countries after Ugandan authorities expelled over 400 fishermen for failure to comply with the country's rules. Foreign Affairs State Minister of Uganda, Mr. Okello Oryem, said the matter was being handled by Internal Affairs Ministry. Mr. Matia Kasaija, the State Minister for Internal Affairs said Kenyans cannot claim the Migingo Island because it belongs to Uganda until the colonialists decide otherwise. He said they had instructed the Lands Minister to sort out the problem and shall invite the Kenyans to a joint resurveying exercise of the island to determine the owner.