Two Suspected Congolese Militiamen Arrested on Lake Albert

Security is holding two suspected Congolese militiamen following their arrest on Lake Albert. The militiamen were picked up near Nkondo landing site in Nkondo parish in Kabwoya Sub County in Kikuube district around 3am this morning. 

Deo Obura, the Albertine Region Police Commander identifies the Congolese militiamen as 22-year-old Enock Chombe and 27-year-old Warom Odaga. 

According to Obura, four Congolese militiamen, armed with an AK 47 rifle raided Lake Albert waters near Nkondo landing site in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and started robbing fishing gear including fishing nets, hooks and boat engines from Ugandan fishermen. 

However, the Ugandan fishermen quickly organised themselves and surrounded the militiamen. He says the fishermen successfully disarmed the militiaman who was holding the firearm and apprehended two others.

According to Obura, the remaining militiamen fled back to DR Congo on their boat. The fishermen landed at Nkondo landing site with the Congolese militiamen and handed them over to security with the recovered firearm. 

Security whisked off the militiamen to Kikuube central police station where they are being held. Obura says they are consulting with their superiors in Kampala on how to proceed with the suspects.     

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Vicente Alpha Opio, the Kabwoya Sub County LC 5 Councilor applauded the fishermen for their vigilance, says arresting the suspect on water was a risky venture. 

He called on government to beef up security on the Lake, arguing that two militiamen who fled couldn’t have made it to DRC if there was security deployment.    

  

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Attacks on Ugandan fishermen by Congolese militiamen are rampant on Lake Albert waters. Dozens of Ugandan fishermen have lost their fishing gear including boats, fishing nets, boat engines, hooks and money to the militiamen in the past two years.        

After robbing the fishing gear, the militiamen demand for payment to return them. In March, suspected armed militiamen raided Walukuba, Wanseko, Bugoigo, Somsio and Butiaba landing sites in Buliisa district and robbed 30 boat engines from Ugandan fishermen.   

 

In November 2018, armed militiamen raided the Lake Albert waters near Kaiso landing site in Buseruka Sub County in Hoima district killing seven fishermen before taking off with their fishing gear including boats, nets, hooks and boat Engines among others. 

The endless attacks attracted the attention of the Chief of Defense Forces-CDF, General David Muhoozi who rushed to Kaiso landing site on a fact finding mission. He met some of the affected fishermen and pledged total security on the lake but to date, the attacks have persisted.