Twenty four Kenyan fishermen who were arrested by the Ugandan Authorities have been released.
The fishermen are part of the 29 suspects who were arrested on January 29 while operating in Ugandan waters illegally.
Speaking to the press after the release of the culprits, Namayingo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Deborah Mugerwa said that the fishermen were found operating in Namayingo side without licenses besides using illegal fishing gears.
“The following day we released five minors, we were preparing a file to take them to our Uganda courts of law but we received a call from the County Commissioner Busia Kenya,” she said, adding that the decision to release the suspects was reached after a bilateral meeting between representatives of the two countries.
Mugerwa explained that Uganda has laws governing the fishing communities and are very keen on enforcing the same.
She explained that Kenyan fishermen have to acquire licenses from the Ugandan authority and have the legally recommended gears in order to operate in the neighboring country.
Ruto advised the fishermen to ensure that they do not use illegal nets and other unauthorized gears within the lake. He at the same time urged the fishermen to ensure that they have the lifesaving jackets on whenever they are venturing into the lake.
