Continuous seizure of fishing gears for Ugandans by DRC Authorities Irks Rwenshama leaders.

Rukungiri: Leaders of Rwenshama parish have accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities of seizing fishing gears for Uganda fishermen.

The accusations were made on Wednesday during the cross-border meeting held at Rwenshama fish landing site on Lake Edward, in Rwenshama cell, Rwenshama parish, Bwambara sub-county, Rukungiri district.

Leaders led by Ahimbisibwe Amzan the chairman LCII Rwenshama parish who is also the bwambara sub-county speaker told the meeting convened by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Rukungiri Steven Bewayo Nsubuga that most of the fishermen had borrowed money from financial institutions and money lenders to buy fishing gears that would help them to carry out their activities smoothly.

They however expressed worry that they may be unable to pay back the loans because their sole source of income, which is fishing, is being sabotaged by the DRC army.

However the DRC delegation headed by Gracien Sivanza, the manager of Institution for Congolese Conservation of nature (ICCN) lake sector made the same accusations against the Ugandan authorities.

They allege that Uganda’s fisheries protection Unit (FPU) has also made it a habbit to arrest Congolese fishermen.

Sivanza asked Ugandan authorities to always hand over Congolese fishermen arrested in Uganda to DRC authorities so that they can be charged in their own nation.

To cool the rising temper, Captain Andrew Engibu Okosa, the new fisheries protection unit commander at Lake Edward called for Unity between Uganda and DRC fishermen. He promised to work with everyone as a way of resolving the existing empasses.

The Rukungiri district police commander (DPC) SSP Musa Tibakirana emphasised the use of Visas by those who want to cross the borders.

He said for someone to cross to another country, legal procedures must be followed.

On his part, the RDC of Rukungiri Steven Bewayo Nsubuga called upon the Uganda fishermen to be disciplined on the lake so that he can have the moral authority to talk to the DRC officials on issues that are causing the misunderstandings.