Kenya and Uganda police bosses have formed a joint taskforce to manage controversial Migingo Island in Lake Victoria.
Both Kenya and Uganda claim ownership of the fish rich island. Kenya’s Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet and his Ugandan counterpart Maj. Gen Kale Kayihura said the joint team will enhance security at rocky island. The team will oversee deployment, joint operations, arms control, communication, crime management and community policing. This followed a joint visit to the island two weeks ago to access the security situation there after some fishermen there complained of harassment from Ugandan security. “We did not find any problem. But you know people don’t like security and police at large. They don’t want to be policed,” said Kayihura.
Boinnet said the new team will ensure they check transnational crimes which include terrorism, cattle rustling and movement of contraband goods.
There is intelligence transnational crimes could be planned and executed there hence need to have this joint team,” he said. The team will ensure officers deployed at the island enforce the law without favour of discrimination as to the nationality of the offender and fishing community, respect and recognize the territorial boundaries of the respective countries. All residents of the island will be registered to check on criminals, and the maximum number of officers to be deployed will not exceed 12. Further, security officers there may evacuate to the nearest health facility patients from the island and Kenya police will add an organic weapon which will be one light machine gun commensurate to the weapons with the counterparts. “The joint survey team should expedite the survey process and produce the required report,” said part of the agreement signed. The two police bosses met in Nairobi to make the announce
The two police bosses met in Nairobi to make the announcement. They were accompanied by other senior officers from their respective countries.
Kenya, Uganda police bosses form taskforce to manage Migingo Island.
