By Peter John

Fifteen Kenyan fishermen from Remba Island in Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County, have been released after being arrested and detained by Ugandan security officers over the weekend on Lake Victoria.

The fishermen were apprehended on Saturday night while on a fishing expedition, with Ugandan authorities accusing them of crossing into Ugandan territorial waters without authorization.

The group was taken to Hama, where they were held until Sunday night.

Their release followed the payment of a cumulative fine of Ksh. 50,000.

According to Remba Beach Management Unit chairman Semekiah Okoth Mamra, the fishermen had set out in three boats at the time of the arrest. He noted that Ugandan officers accused them not only of trespassing but also of lacking proper fishing licences and essential safety gear, including life-saving jackets.

Mamra further alleged that the situation escalated when the officers demanded Ksh. 10,000 per boat, amounting to the total sum paid before the fishermen were freed.

The incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenges faced by Kenyan fishermen operating in the shared waters of Lake Victoria, where disputes over maritime boundaries and enforcement of fishing regulations are common.

Mamra is now urging the Kenyan government to intervene and engage its Ugandan counterparts to address what he described as frequent harassment of Kenyan fishermen.

Local leaders and stakeholders have in the past called for clearer demarcation of boundaries and joint enforcement mechanisms to protect fishermen and prevent recurring arrests.

The fishermen have since returned home safely, but concerns remain over their safety and the sustainability of their livelihoods amid ongoing cross-border tensions on the lake.