Armed Congolese Raid Uganda, Abduct 16 Fishermen at Lake Albert

Suspected Congolese militiamen have once again raided Lake Albert, abducting 16 Ugandan fishermen.

The latest attack happened near Kaiso landing site in Mbegu parish, Kabaale sub-county in Hoima district on Sunday at around 7:00am.

The militiamen also robbed four boats, four engines, and several sets of fishing nets from the fishermen that they crossed with to DR Congo.

Fred Mujuni, the chairperson of Kaiso landing site fishing community, said all the four armed Congolese militiamen put Ugandan fishermen at gunpoint before robbing them of their fishing gear.

The militiamen later crossed with the gears to DR Congo by boat. This is the second incident of such abductions in a space of one month.

Mujuni said the Congolese militiamen are currently demanding a ransom to set the Ugandans free.

However, he could not state how much was being asked by the men.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, told journalists Monday that by the time the Police were alerted, it was too late for them to pursue the militiamen who had already fled and crossed to DR Congo.

He said the Ugandan government officials would engage their Congolese counterparts so that the abducted citizens are freed.

Hakiza identified some of the Ugandan fishermen whose boats were robbed by the militiamen as Richard Okethwengu, Silius Asaba and Philemond Kazingufu, all residents of Kaiso landing site.

Recently, a number of Congolese fishermen were arrested by the authorities in Kasese district for illegally crossing into Ugandan. These were later handed over to the DRC authorities.