Uganda and Congo form fishing committee: OFFICIALS from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have formed a joint security committee to carry out investigations into the December 14 incident in which 57 Ugandan fishermen were kidnapped by the DRC armed forces on Lake Albert.
The 28-member committee will be co-chaired by Betty Adima, the Nebbi district resident district commissioner and Christopher Ikonda, the district commissioner of Mahagi in DRC.
Military officers, the Police, politicians and leaders of the beach management units are also on the committee.
The committee will also foster cooperation on security and jointly fight cross-border crime.
Among those arrested by the Congolese naval force in Mahagi was a youth aged 13 years. The Ugandans were arrested off Dei landing site in Panyimur on allegations that they had crossed into the DRC side of the lake.
Those arrested included David Opar, 13, Joseph Olar, 16, Agenonga Onen, 18, Bremen Bijik, 29 and Oweki Kakura, 28. Others were Onegi Cothum, 14, Joseph Oronya, 35, Abeka Ocim, 38, Onegi Omia, 28, Aduba Ajurava, 17, Ozelle Alithum, 17, Onegiu Erick, 37, all of Dei village, Panyimur sub-county in Nebbi district.
Adima received the fishermen last week with their fishing gear including nets and a motor boat at Mahagi Youth Centre in the DRC.
DRC officials said the fishermen were Congolese based in Uganda who crossed to catch silver fish (Mukene) that is not allowed to be caught in DRC but is on demand in Uganda.
“By investigating and identifying the perpetrators of this crisis, we shall find the truth to set us free,” Adima said.
The committee will also verify the citizenship of the residents on the landing sites and sensitise them on the different laws governing fishing in both countries.
Ngulu Wa Ngulu, the commander of the Mahagi naval force and Capt. Wandera, the commander of the UPDF Panyimur unit who attended the meeting, were asked to carry out joint patrols on the waters to avoid conflicts in future.
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