Uganda has handed back to Kenyan authorities 7 engine boats that were stolen by pirates operating on the shores of Lake Victoria. The boats were impounded from Sumba Island in Western Kenyan on June 30th, in a joint operation conducted by Kenya and Uganda security operatives.
Joram Mayatsa, the Namayingo Resident District Commissioner handed over the boats to his Bunyala district counterpart Ahmed Ali, on Tuesday at Port Victoria landing site in Kenya. According to Mayatsa a total of 56 stolen engine boats have been impounded by Ugandan security since the beginning of this year.
He appealed for the full cooperation of Kenyan authorities to stamp out the increasing cases of piracy on the shores of Lake Victoria. Mayatsa says that about 10 suspected masterminds of piracy on the lake have been arrested since the beginning of this year. He however, attributed the security lapses on the Lake to inadequate manpower and lack of logistics for efficient patrols.
Mayatsa said that in most cases the security personnel operating along the Lake lack fuel to effectively monitor the lake especially during the late night hours, when the pirates target fishermen. He appealed to the three member states sharing the Lake Victoria resource to increase funds for operations on the lake to fight piracy.
Ali Ahmed, the Bunyala District Commissioner from Kenya hailed the cordial relationship between Uganda and Kenya. He emphasized the commitment by the Kenyan government to provide any relevant assistance to help fight piracy on Lake Victoria.
