At least seven Kenyans have been detained in Uganda after they were arrested near Mageta and Hama Islands, Lake Victoria.
Reports on Tuesday morning indicated that among the Kenyans being held by the Ugandan authorities are four fishermen and 3 police officers.
Witnesses told Kenyan media that Ugandan defence forces ambushed the three police officers, disarmed them and confiscated their phones before taking them to Bugiri Mainland Prison.
[caption caption="Migingo island "]
[/caption]
Siaya County Commandant Patrick Lumumba told Daily Nation that the incident happened at 3 pm on Monday involving eight Kenyan police officers that were on patrol.
"Our officers were overpowered by the heavily armed attackers who lay an ambush on the officers and assumed they were civilians and fishermen," Mr Lumumba is quoted.
There were reports that the Ugandan forces also hijacked five boats and dismantled their engines as they arrested the fishermen who were reportedly fishing on their water area.
In 2017, a diplomatic row emerged between the two countries after another 17 fishermen were held in Uganda for being illegally on the Ugandan side of the lake,.
Local leaders condemned the incident blaming the national government for taking staggered steps to have the Kenyans released.
[caption caption="MP John Mbadi addressing the media at parliament "]
[/caption]
ODM party national chairman and MP John Mbadi last year blamed President Uhuru Kenyatta for neglecting the plight of the communities living around the lake.
CS Amina Mohammed at the time heading the foreign affairs ministry secured the release of the Kenyan fishermen.
