MIGINGO IS OURS

Kenyans at the tiny Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have a reason to smile after two-year ownership row with Uganda.

The Island has more than 3, 000 people living there, mostly Kenyan fishermen.

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula announced that the dispute over the disputed Island between Kenya and Uganda has been resolved.

"Ugandan authorities have declared officially they have no claim over the Island," he said.

The Ugandan government had declared that Migingo is in Ugandan waters and that it is illegal for Kenyans to fish in their territory.

The simmering dispute over the island burst into the open with the eviction of some 400 Kenyan fishermen from the island, for apparently refusing to part with a Ksh50, 000 "annual operation fee" demanded by Ugandan authorities.

Mr Wetagula noted the regional row over the ownership of barely an acre in size had put the relationship of the two countries in jeopardy.

"In the time of regional integration and free market protocol where we have abolished Visa and work permits it will be improper to still quarrel over the tiny island," he said.

Wetangula said it was a shameful thing for the two nations to engage in a dispute, which could have been resolved amicably without creating enmity.

Kenya maintained that the small island belongs to her but Uganda Government hoisted a flag and deployed police to patrol and arrest Kenyan fishermen.

"To the future strength of business ties and friendship we, firmly advocate for peaceful co-existence with our neighbours especially Uganda which has been a major partner," he added.

The Minister spoke in Kakamega and urged Kenyans living at the Island to register as voters.

"Our brothers and sisters at the Island are participating in the registration exercise and should not fear any external interference," he said. He said all mechanisms have been put in place to ensure only Kenyans are registered as voters.

In April, demonstrators ripped of the railway line along Kibera slums in Nairobi in protest against Ugandan occupation.

"Migingo is within Kenya’s borders," said John Donaldson, a research associate at the International Boundaries Research Unit, a British institute that studies border disputes.