Seven Homa Bay fishermen detained in Uganda

They were accused of using illegal fishing nets and crossing over to the neighbouring country. The fishermen identified as Vincent Owino, Maurice Otieno, Kennedy Owino, Moses Ayieta, Calvins Okinyi, Fredrick Omollo and Walter Otieno from a beach in Suba South were arrested while on their fishing expedition last night. Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit Chairperson Edward Oremo said that the fishermen were taken to Kalangala Police station in Uganda where they were held awaiting to be arraigned in court. The Ugandan security officers also confiscated two boats belonging to the fishermen and their fishing gears of unknown value. Oremo said that Ugandan Security personnel arrested the seven fishermen over accusation of crossing the border and using illegal fishing gears prohibited on the Ugandan side. “The security personnel arrested the fishermen because they were using gears that are not allowed on the Uganda side,” Oremo said. Homa Bay County Commissioner David Kipkemei confirmed the arrest of the seven fishermen saying they had begun a negotiation process with the Uganda authorities to have the fishermen released before being taken to court. Kipkemei however appealed to the Kenyan fishermen using waters of Lake Victoria to avoid using illegal gears and crossing over to the Ugandan side during their fishing expedition to avoid such arrests in the future. “I want to urge the fishermen using the Lake Victoria waters to avoid using illegal gears and crossing over to the Uganda,” he said.

by The Star

Realtime14 February 2020 - 10:26

In Summary

• The fishermen were taken to Kalangala police station in Uganda where they were held, awaiting to be arraigned.

• Homa Bay county commissioner David Kipkemei said they were already negotiating with the Ugandan authorities to have the fishermen released.

Fishermen going about their activities in lake Victoria.

Seven Kenyan fishermen have been arrested and detained by Uganda security officers over alleged border trespass and use of prohibited fishing gear.

The fishermen identified as Vincent Owino, Maurice Otieno, Kennedy Owino, Moses Ayieta, Calvins Okinyi, Fredrick Omollo and Walter Otieno from a beach in Suba South were arrested on Wednesday night.

Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit chairperson Edward Oremo said the fishermen were taken to Kalangala police station in Uganda where they were held, awaiting to be arraigned.

The Ugandan security officers also confiscated their two boats and fishing gear. Oremo said Ugandan officers accused the Kenyans of trespass andusing fishing gear that is prohibited on the Ugandan side.

"The security personnel arrested the fishermen because they were using gear that is not allowed on the Uganda side," Oremo said.

Homa Bay county commissioner David Kipkemei said they were already negotiating with the Ugandan authorities to have the fishermen released before being taken to court. He however appealed to the Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria to avoid using illegal gear and crossing over to the Ugandan side to avoid such arrests in the future.