Eleven fishermen from Nambo Beach in Bondo sub-county are being held at Sigulu Island in Uganda after they were arrested in the waters of Lake Victoria.
Alfred Ochieng’, the secretary of Nambo Beach Management Unit (BMU) says that the fishermen were on their normal fishing expedition when they were arrested by soldiers from Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF).
He told Ramogi FM that they equally got information that apart from those fishermen from Nambo beach, others who come from Port Victoria and Ulwan were also arrested by the same people.
Ochieng’ stated that the fishermen were arrested in the middle of the lake, adding that they had tried to enquire the reason for their arrest in vain.
The BMU secretary lamented that the Ugandan soldiers are now demanding 40 liters of petrol or cash of Ksh. 10,000 from each of the detained fishermen before they can be released. This totals to Ksh.110,000 or 400 litres of petrol for the release of all the fishermen.
He lamented that the attacks have continued despite the recent promise by President William Ruto that he was going to talk to his Ugandan counterpart to solve the matter once and for all.
Ochieng has therefore pleaded with the President to keep to his promise and find a lasting solution.
