Ugandan police have reportedly lowered a Kenyan flag at the contested Lake Victoria's Migingo Island in a move that is likely to further escalate the long-standing conflict between the two nations over its ownership.
The Ugandan security forces pulled down the flag hoisted on the fishing island in contravention of an initial agreement between the two countries for joint policing of the one-acre piece of land.
The Island's beach management unit Chairperson John Obunge said the Ugandan police officers lowered the flag and warned their Kenyan counterparts against hoisting it again.
"They pulled down the flag and warned the Kenyan police deployed on the island against making such attempts again," said Obunge adding that only Ugandan flag is flying on the island.
Kenyan officers are said to have backed down to avoid clashing with the aggressive Ugandan officers. Migori County police boss Joseph Nthenge said the situation at the island was calm and denied claims that Kenyan forces had hoisted the flag.
"The flag was hoisted by other civil servants and not the police," he said, a claim that was disputed by Obunge and other Kenyan fishermen.
"Our officers argued that the flag must always be hoisted at a police post but the Ugandans would not listen to them," said the beach boss.
Siaya Senator James Orengo said all colonial maps indicate the island belonged to Kenya but said the row should be settled at International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“The dispute has become an embarrassment to us and we must resolve it now using the goodwill created by the handshake between our two top leaders,” noted Orengo.
Recently, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i warned Ugandan forces at the island against harassing Kenyan fishermen.
"We have worked on a plan to secure all our people. We will step up security and patrol around Lake Victoria. It is sad sometimes when you are humble people think you are not able. I think if our friends have been thinking because we are humble we are weak," Matiang'i said.
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