Congolese Militiamen repatriated to DRC

The two Congolese militiamen who were last week arrested by Ugandan fishermen on Lake Albert in Kikuube District have been repatriated to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Warom Odaga and Enock Chombe were handed over to the Congolese authorities by Ugandan security officials led by Hoima Deputy Resident District Commissioner-RDC, Richard Tabaro at Kaiso landing site in Tonya parish Buseruka Sub County in Hoima district on Sunday.

Other officials present included the District Internal Security officers-DISOs of Hoima and Kikuube, UPDF Marine Officers, the Albertine Regional Police Crime Intelligence, Immigration officials, local leaders and fishermen.

Mr Tabaro said they decided to hand over the militiamen who were apprehended by Ugandan fishermen at Nkondo landing site in Kabwoya sub county in Kikuube district on Last week, following a request by Congolese government Authorities.

He explained that Governor of Ituri province contacted them requesting that the two militiamen be handed over to DRC authorities for appropriate action back home.

Mr Tabaro said they handed over the militiamen with a stern warning that no more armed attacks on Lake Albert waters against Ugandan fishermen will be entertained.

“The Congolese governor of Ituri called the RDC and requested them not to go far, he requested for a mutual understanding. So we forgave them and told them to hand over all the nets and boat engines back to their owners in order for us to handover their men,” he said.

Mr Mark Uzelle, the Liaison Officer from the Cabinet of the Ituri province who led the Congolese delegation that received the militiamen applauded the Ugandan security for the cooperation they have shown to the DRC government.

He called for continuous dialogue between the two countries in case any misunderstanding.

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Fishermen arrest suspected Congolese militiamen

In May 2016, a suspected Congolese armed group attacked Ugandan policemen who were patrolling Lake Albert and killed three cops.

Attacks on Ugandan fishermen by Congolese militiamen have been rampant on the waters of Lake Albert. 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, armed militiamen raided Walukuba, Wanseko, Bugoigo, Somsio and Butiaba landing sites in Buliisa district and robbed 30 boat engines from Ugandan fishermen.

In November last year, 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 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.