Hoima- One person has been confirmed dead after an armed group on Saturday attacked Ugandan fishermen on Lake Albert in western Uganda.
According to witnesses, the group invaded the fishermen on Nsonga Landing Site, in Kyangwali sub-county.
The attackers were dressed in military uniforms similar to those of Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers at about 4 am on Saturday morning.
“They threw a one Omirambe in the lake where he drowned,” the Albertine Regional Police spokesman, Mr Julius Hakiza said.
Witnesses told police that the group of about ten armed men proceeded and robbed the fishermen at gunpoint.
They allegedly stole mobile phones, boat engines and fish valued at millions of shillings.
Police and military intelligence officials are trying to establish the value of lost properties and the suspects behind the attack, according to Mr Hakiza.
According to police, some of the Ugandan fishermen who lost property include Mr Stephen Bagonza, Mr Jackline Onziga, Mr Ramathan Okumu, and Mr Isa Okumu Isa.
“They found us fishing and asked why we were fishing in DR Congo waters. After that, they stole our fishing gears,” Mr Bagonza said.
Mr Bagonza asked government to engage DR Congo authorities to ensure the stolen property is returned unconditionally.
Fights, accusations and abductions are common on Lake Albert where DR Congo authorities repeatedly accuse Ugandan fishermen of fishing in their territory.
Ironically, there is no clear boundary between Uganda and DR Congo in Lake Albert which straddles along the border of the two countries.
In April, four Ugandan fishermen were abducted by suspected DR Congo soldiers on Lake Albert.
The fishermen were reportedly held at Jo landing Site in Ituri Province in Eastern DR Congo. They were released after diplomatic talks between Uganda and DRC authorities.
