Police probe suspected banditry on Lake Albert

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KIKUUBE - Police in the Albertine region are investigating a robbery incident where gunmen reportedly attacked fishermen on Lake Albert.

The robbery, which left five allegedly abducted occurred on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at about 2:00am at Kondo landing site in Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district.

Albertine Police region spokesperson Julius Hakiza said reports indicate that the group of people armed with guns and machetes attacked the men as they were fishing.

He added that the attacker beat the victims up and made off with three boat engines, three boats, some fishing nets, and phones, among other property.

Hakiiza, who did not identify the victims, said Police have launched an investigation into the alleged robbery and are also planning to engage the DR Congolese government to see how the victims and property can be rescued.

Albertine Police region spokesperson Julius Hakiza said reports indicate that the group of people armed with guns and machetes attacked the men as they were fishing. (New Vision/Files)

Attack condemned

Kikuube district vice-chairperson Vincent Alpha Opio condemned the continued attacks on fishermen on Lake Albert adding that the district authorities are not yet sure whether the stolen fishing gear and allegedly abducted fishermen are in the hands of the Congolese government or bandits.

In an interview on Saturday about the five fishermen reportedly abducted, Opio said the district had received reports that the abductors were demanding ransom from people who were robbed of their boats.

The vice-chairperson revealed that he was also informed that it could have been a retaliatory attack by Congolese following the arrest of their fishermen by Ugandan fisheries operatives two days before the incident.

He said that he was notified that the abducted fishermen were being held in parts of Tchomya in Ituri Province.

Opio added that as district leaders, they are in co-ordination with all security agencies to get facts about the matter and see how those claimed to have been abducted can be rescued and the robbed fishing gear recovered.

On the issue of ransom, Hakiiza said it has been a habit by attackers.

Both countries have been conducting operations against illegal fishing on Lake Albert with counter accusations of operating beyond the respective national boundaries.

Such attacks have been common on the shores of Lake Albert.  In August last year, armed gunmen attacked Sejonjo landing site, Nsoga parish in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube, and left two people injured and their property taken.