By Leilah Bbaale
Four suspected armed DR Congo militiamen have raided the Lake Albert waters in Kikuube district robbing eight boat engine and fishing nets.
The attack occurred in the wee hours of Saturday morning at around 5a.m near the Bugoma landing site in Buhuka parish, Kyangwali Sub County in Kikuube district.
Javian Chekechan, a fisherman and a resident of Bugoma landing site says the suspected Congolese militiamen who were dressed in DR Congo military uniform raided the lake and placed several fishermen at gunpoint, and ordered them to surrender the engine boats to them.
Reginal Ngamita, the LC2 Chairperson of Buhuka parish who was also a victim explains that after robbing the engines and several sets of fishing nets, the attackers immediately crossed to the DR Congo side.
Joseph Ringwegi, the Buhuka Parish Councilor says reliable information indicates that the suspected DR Congo militiamen after executing their mission crossed to Joo landing site in Bunia district Ituri Province in the Eastern part of the DR Congo. He has appealed to Ugandan security operatives to immediately intervene and have the robbed engines and fishing nets returned at no cost.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police spokesperson says investigations into the attack have commenced adding that top security operatives in region have liaised with their counterparts in the Eastern DR Congo to trace the attackers.
Attacks by the suspected DR Congo militiamen on Ugandan fishermen have been rampant since 2018.
