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Thirty-five Congolese fishermen were sentenced to between two and three years' imprisonment in Uganda in mid-July after being found guilty of illegal fishing and illegal entry into Ugandan territory, according to reports. Saturday from safe source.
"We have 35 Congolese, 31 of whom have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to two years in prison for illegal fishing and for entering Uganda in June," Deogratious Kato, an official of the United Nations, told AFP. army unit responsible for patrolling Lake Albert
"The same court in Kasese (south-west) sentenced four other Congolese to three years (in prison) for illegal fishing and entered Uganda, which they did by twice, "he added.
Incidents on the border multiplied
Kasese district borders Lake Edward, which serves as the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ), where incidents, sometimes fatal, have increased in recent months between marines and fishermen of both countries.
According to him, the 35 Congolese fishermen had been discovered in possession of 26 boats, engines and illegal fishing nets
"We do not let's not discourage our DRC brothers and sisters from coming to Uganda to fish on our waters, but they should follow the proper procedures, "Kato added.
According to him, the 35 Congolese fishermen had been found in possession of 26 boats , engines and illegal fishing nets. They appeared on July 16 and have since been detained at Mubuku Prison in Kasese, he said.
DRC-Uganda Relations Are Complex
"What I can say, is that the number of Congolese in our prison is much higher than the one you quote (35), because we receive regularly, "he said.
" So this figure (…) must be much higher. About two months ago, we received 57 Congolese who were sentenced for illegal fishing and illegal entry, "he said.
According to him, the number of Congolese fishermen imprisoned in Uganda has increased" since the deployment of the army (in early 2017) to protect the fishmongers, because the boats patrol the waters more efficiently than before. "
The relations between the DRC and Uganda are complex, the two disagreeing, particularly on the sharing of energy resources in Lake Edward, where clashes have multiplied since the beginning of this year.
Congolese fishermen denounce arrests of Ugandan patrols crossed on Édouard Lake. They accuse the Ugandan military of making them pay large sums before any release.
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