By URN
Authorities and local fishermen in the Bunyoro sub region have demanded for the unconditional release of 38 boat engines and 10 sets of fishing nets currently being held by the Congolese authorities.
The engines together with the fishing nets were confiscated by Congolese authorities while on the lake Albert waters. They were confiscated between March 2023 and April 2025 from the districts of Hoima, Buliisa, Kagadi and Kikuube.
The confiscated fishing gear are reportedly being held by Congolese officials at the landing sites of Tchomia, Joo, Muvaramu,Kasenyi and Muguma in Bunia district, Ituri province in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Robert Gingyera, the Chairperson of Lake Albert Silver Fishers Association (LASFA) revealed that, despite being impounded on Uganda’s waters of lake Albert, their efforts to have the confiscated engines and fishing nets returned to their woners have been frustrated since 2023. They now want the government to compel the Congolese authorities to unconditional release the fishing gear.
Geofrey Kumakech, the Buseruka sub county LC5 Councilor reveals that most fishermen are finding it hard to feed their families following the confiscation of their fishing gear by Congolese authorities.
Sylvester Tumukurate, the Buliisa Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) says efforts are underway to engage the Congolese government to have the confiscated fishing gear returned at no cost soon.
Allan Atugonza, the Buliisa County Member of parliament says, it has become very difficult for Ugandan fishermen to conduct fishing activities on the lake Albert waters due to persistent attacks and mistreatment being orchestrated by Congolese militiamen and government forces on Ugandan fishermen while on the lake.
Kabaseke Kyabakibi, the head of Congolese delegation that is currently in Uganda pursuing the return of Confiscated boats and engines for Congolese fishermen by Ugandan security forces assured fishermen and Ugandan authorities that the confiscated fishing gear would be returned at no cost given the ongoing negations and bilateral understanding between both countries.
On Wednesday, Uganda handed over handed over 23 confiscated boat engines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government officials.
The 23 boat engines, together with 19 fishing boats, were handed over to the Congolese government officials at Butiaba landing site in Butiaba town council, Buliisa district.
The boat engines and the fishing boats belonging to Congolese fishermen were confiscated by the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) while on Lake Albert in Buliisa and Pakwach districts, respectively. They were confiscated between July 2024 and May 2025.
A delegation from the DRC led by Kabaseke Kyabakibi received the fishing gear on behalf of the Congolese government.
Since 2018, attacks by suspected Congolese militiamen on Ugandan fishermen have persisted. Many have lost their lives, fishing gear, and boats in violent encounters.
The most recent attack occurred last month near the Senjojo landing site in Kyangwali Sub-county, Kikuube District.
Armed men in Congolese military uniform crossed into Ugandan waters and held six fishermen at gunpoint, demanding their boats, nets, and engines.
The fishermen managed to alert the UPDF, prompting a swift military response. A gunfight ensued, leaving two of the assailants dead.
In April 2020, two suspected Congolese militiamen were shot dead by UPDF soldiers near Kaiso landing site in Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District. Five others were arrested, and three AK-47 rifles with 47 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
In March 2021, armed groups reportedly stole 19 boat engines and abducted 16 Ugandan fishermen, who were later held at Tchomia landing site in Bunia District.
They were released after reportedly paying a ransom of USD 50 each. Leaders and locals alike say the continued insecurity underscores the urgent need for a permanent solution through a formal boundary agreement.
Leaders in the Bunyoro sub-region are currently blaming the Ugandan government for failing to demarcate the Lake Albert boundary, a situation they say continues to cause tension and insecurity.
They argue that the absence of a clear border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to frequent disputes on the lake, with fishermen from both sides often arrested for allegedly crossing into foreign waters.
The leaders are now urging both governments to expedite the boundary demarcation process to end the longstanding friction and safeguard livelihoods.
