Wamuzi News Ke
Kenyan military forces arrested two Ugandan soldiers in Busia County on Thursday after allegations surfaced that they were harassing local fishermen on Lake Victoria.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers, identified as Richard Amrie and Michael Busola, were apprehended on Sumba Island in Port Victoria while allegedly detaining Kenyan fishermen with the intent of taking them to Uganda.
Their capture followed intelligence reports from residents and fishermen, who tipped off Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers patrolling the area.
Local fishermen have long complained of intimidation by Ugandan security personnel, who frequently cross into Kenyan waters to arrest and detain them.
After the arrest, residents praised the KDF for their swift intervention, revealing that the Ugandan officers had assaulted them just a day prior.
“Yesterday, they arrested me and ordered us to follow a specific route. When I complied, they accused me of trying to escape. One of them dragged me onto their boat and attacked me,” a fisherman recalled.
“He hit me three times in the chest with his gun. This harassment has been going on for too long,” he added.
The two Ugandan officers, both holding the rank of sergeant, were taken to Budalangi Police Station for further investigation.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the soldiers will be extradited or face legal proceedings in Kenya.
Cases of fishermen being harassed or losing their equipment to cross-border security forces and criminals are common in Lake Victoria.
These tensions have raised concerns over territorial disputes, prompting the Kenyan government to deploy KDF and Coast Guard units to protect its waters.
