ARE UGANDAN MPS WINNING A DIPLOMATIC WAR AGAINST THEIR KENYAN COUNTERPARTS OVER MIGINGO?

THE NEW VISION
KAMPALA, UGANDA
28th May, 2009

By Anthony Bugembe

THE GOVERNMENT has described the motion on Migingo Island passed by the Kenyan Parliament on Wednesday as “uncalled for”.

The motion, which was resisted by Kenyan ministers, asked President Mwai Kibaki to deploy the military to resolve the border dispute, should diplomatic efforts fail.

It also asked Kibaki to refer the dispute to the UN Security Council if it threatens peace and security in the region.

“I don’t think that is called for. We are waiting for the outcome of the border survey. Kenya’s action could pre-empt the team’s work,” said information minister Kabakumba Masiko.

Fred Opolot of the Uganda Media Centre called the motion ridiculous and baseless, saying the Ugandan army is not present in the disputed areas as is alleged.

“It does not hold any water at all. The UPDF has never been deployed on Migingo or in West Pokot. All the Kenyan MPs could have done was to verify these allegations that have been made through the media,” Opolot commented.

He said he did not believe the motion represented a consensus in the Kenyan Parliament, since only 47 legislators were present.

“What matters is that the relationship between the governments of Kenya and Uganda is good. Both want to solve the problem diplomatically and amicably. A technical team is on the ground. We all hope that by the end of June the survey will have ended and the result will be known.”

The disputed island is home to about 200 people and a docking station for the lucrative fishing area of Lake Victoria.

In February, Nyanza provincial authorities accused Ugandan fisheries officials of trespassing and illegally collecting sh50,000 in annual operation fees in the Kenyan area.

The foreign affairs state minister, Okello Oryem, said Kenyan and Ugandan leaders should have confidence in resolving the row diplomatically.

“There is an ongoing process to survey and determine where Migingo Island belongs. Our Government is willing and ready to honour the decision of the border survey team,” Oryem said.