Four fishermen feared dead after attack by suspected Congolese gunmen

Police in Hoima District are investigating circumstances under which four fishermen went missing after they were attacked by gunmen suspected to be from DR Congo.

The four whose identities were not readily established by press time attacked on Monday night at Kaiso landing site in Buseruka Sub County, Hoima District.

The Albertine region police spokesperson, Mr Julius Hakiza told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview on Tuesday that police are investigating the matter to establish whether the missing persons are still alive or dead.

He said a survivor of the attack has been admitted to Hoima regional referral hospital in critical condition.
“During the scuffle, one fisherman was injured and he managed to escape and he is admitted to Hoima hospital. We are using our marines to search the waters to recover them.”

The survivor who has been identified as Felix Harerimana told police that the attackers who were armed with three guns, pangas and bows and clad in army uniform hacked his colleagues before dumping their bodies in the water. They also took confiscated their fishing boat engines, nets and other valuables.
"Four people went missing and police is on ground to establish their whereabouts. We are investigating whether they are dead or alive. We cannot conclude that they were killed because we are still in touch with the Democratic Republic of Congo government officials to get more details of the incident," Mr Hakiza said.

This is not the first time Ugandan fishermen are being attacked or killed by suspected gunmen from DR Congo. The piracy on the waters has dragged on for several years as Ugandan security forces still ponder on measures to combat it.
"It is always tricky at times we call them Congolese but some people may commit offenses and cross to Congo side and when Congolese commit offenses they come to Uganda but our bosses are informed about this," Mr Hakiza added.