Angry Ugandan security forces rejected an attempt by Kenyan police to hoist a flag on the disputed Migingo Island.
The Ugandans pulled down the Kenyan flag that had been raised although both nations had agreed to a joint policing of the Island.
Reports revealed that the Ugandan forces pulled down the flag and warned the Kenyan counterparts deployed on the island against making such attempts again.
Migingo beach management unit chairman John Obunge stated that although the island was being co-manned by both the Kenyan and Ugandan security forces, only the Ugandan flag was allowed to fly.
To avoid clashing, the Kenyan security forces backed down after aggressive Ugandan officers pulled down the flag and removed the post.
Kenyan fishermen did not take the matter lightly and taunted the Ugandans for disrespecting their flag.
Migori county police commandant Joseph Nthenge spoke on the situation stating: "The flag was hoisted by other civil servants and not the police."
Obunge and other fishermen, however, disputed this maintaining it was the police who hoisted the flag.
Ugandan security forces presence on the island is larger in size than the Kenyan one with MPs from the area accusing the national government of not settling the Island's ownership row.
“It is sad that arbitrary arrests and intimidation continues to be visited upon Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria despite persistent calls from leaders to have the matter resolved,” Nyatike MP Tom Odege stated.
“The Ugandan security forces continue to arrest our people who are doing business on the island. President Kenyatta must revisit this matter because he swore to protect all the Kenyan boundaries in his capacity as the commander-in-chief,” Odege added.
