Nyanza MPs want fishermen protected from Uganda police

A section of Nyanza legislators from the National Super Alliance (NASA) have asked the government to protect fishermen from harassment by police from Uganda.

Led by Suba South Member of Parliament (MP) John Mbadi, the NASA lawmakers told a press briefing in Parliament that the government’s refusal to provide security to fishermen was tantamount to “economic marginalisation” as fishing is a major economic activity around the Lake Victoria region.

The ODM chairperson also confirmed that 22 fishermen had been arrested on Tuesday, November 7 and were being detained by security forces in Uganda.

“The government has deliberately ignored the cries of people who fish in Lake Victoria. Why are our fishermen being arrested within the country by people from outside?” said Mbadi. “People of our region won’t accept to be slaves in our own country when people of Uganda come past the border and terrorise, at times taking money from fishermen.”

The lawmakers also called on the Inspector General of Police to act so as to secure the borders of the country, with Migori County Woman Representative Pamela Ochieng’ saying, “We want to see action, we want our borders safe.”

Nyatike MP, Tom Odege , also added his voice to the secession threat by saying that if the government fails to act, his people will continue the resistance call of the opposition coalition.

“If the government is tired of Nyanza, we will not force ourselves in a relationship where we are being milked. I will only recognise the president if he stands to defend the borders of this country. If not, me and my people will resist even if the resistance of NASA ends,” said Odege.