MPs threaten to disrupt trade with Uganda over Migingo island dispute

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 — updated on December 16, 2020 - 2 min read

Migingo Island (right) as it stands on Lake Victoria. President Museveni told an international news agency that the island “may be in Kenya, but the waters are in Uganda,” and referred to the Luo community as “mad” people who want “to fish here but this is Uganda.”

Members of Parliament have threatened to derail trade in landlocked Uganda until the Migingo island controversy is settled.
The MPs made the threats during debate over the ownership of the island in Parliament on Wednesday.

The debate followed remarks by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni against the Luo community that live near Lake Victoria.
A number of members of this community derive their livelihood from the lake through fishing.

The MPs declared Uganda an unfriendly neighbour whose President they accused of attempting to expand his country’s boundaries.

They said Kenya should not transact business with such a country.

Uganda depends on the port of Mombasa for its fuel and machinery imports through the railway line. At the height of post-election violence in January 2008, landlocked regional countries like Uganda bore the brunt of the turmoil when sections of the railway was uprooted and roads were blocked, limiting fuel and food supplies.

And when the Migingo row intensified, irate youths in Nairobi’s Kibera slums again cut a section of the Kenya-Uganda railway line.

The neighbours have commissioned a Sh140 million survey to ascertain the ownership of the disputed one-acre land.

MPs demanded communication from the Government on why a foreign Head of State could belittle a Kenyan community on an international platform.

President Museveni told an international news agency that the island “may be in Kenya, but the waters are in Uganda,” and referred to the Luo community as “mad” people who want “to fish here but this is Uganda.”

Gwasi MP John Mbadi (ODM) said: “We want Kibaki to tell Museveni that his comments on the Luo are unacceptable.”

ODM Nominated MP, Millie Odhiambo asked for the United Nation’s and America’s intervention, arguing the disparaging remarks by President Museveni threatened regional peace and security.

While moving a Motion, Ikolomani MP, Dr Bonny Khalwale told the Ugandan President to keep off Kenyan territory of a sovereign state.

The MPs threatened to disrupt trade until Mr Museveni changed his way of relating with his neighbours.
There were numerous interruptions in the debate of the Motion with assistant minister for Defence, Mr David Musila calling for restraint and asking Members to explore other alternatives.