BAN Sadis - Pulau Nelayan Migingo Yang Pencil

January 15, 2014

Migingo sebuah kepulauan di tasik victoria. Besar pulau ni cuma sebesar padang bolasepak jer.. Penduduk kat sini pun dalam 131 orang. Rumah yang dibuat terlalu dekat and sempit... Tapi dalam kesempitan tu pun ada 5 bar, 1 beauty salon, farmasi then hotel2. Kebanyakan penghuni kat pulau ni bekerja sebagai nelayan.. Orang pertama yang sampai kat pulau ni adalah 2 orang fisherman kenyan, Dalmas Tembo dan George kibebe. Pada awalnya pulau ni dipenuhi dengan burung dan ular.

The rich stock of Nile Perch in the waters around Migingo Island has lead to territorial dispute between the two countries – Uganda and Kenya, both of which lay claim to the island. Technically, Migingo Island belongs to Kenya, being inside the country’s international border and is also marked so on maps and official documents. In 2009, the Ugandan government claimed that Migingo Island is in Ugandan waters and that it is therefore illegal for Kenyans to fish there.

Trouble started when pirates first heard that fishermen were making $300 a day, which was approximately three or four times what many people in East Africa earn in an entire month on dry land, they flocked to the island and stole fish, cash and engines. The fishermen called upon their governments for help in 2009 with the Ugandans being first to respond by sending maritime police. Upon arrival, the Ugandans raised their flag and slowly began to exploit the fishermen who had made their home on the tiny island. Entry permits and taxes were introduced on fishermen that hoped to cash in on the newly discovered fishing grounds. Boats and fishing nets belonging to Kenyan fishermen are regularly confiscated by Ugandan forces for fishing on Uganda’s territorial waters.

The ownership dispute is yet to be resolved.