24 Kenyan fishermen arrested in Uganda finally released, boats still detained

Twenty-four Kenyan fishermen who were arrested by Ugandan authorities on Wednesday evening and their fishing gear confiscated have been released.

The fishermen were set free on Thursday without paying any fine but their eight boats are still held by Ugandan police and will be released after paying a fine of Ksh.30,000 per boat.

The 24 Kenyans had been arrested over alleged border trespass and use of illegal fishing gear at Sare and Nyandiwa Beaches both in Suba South and Remba Island in Suba North Constituencies.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Irungu Macharia confirmed that the 24 fishermen had been released from Hama Island where they were detained.

The County Commissioner said the Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit Network (BMU) leadership was mobilizing resources to pay the fine and have the boats handed back to the fishermen.