NAIROBI — Kenya and Uganda have agreed to issue a joint fishing license to end a long-running dispute over fishing rights around Migingo Island, a flashpoint in Lake Victoria. The deal, signed this week by President Ruto and President Museveni is aimed at easing cross-border hostilities and safeguarding the livelihoods of local fishermen. The new licensing framework, announced on Tuesday, will allow both countries to jointly issue fishing permits to ensure equal access to shared waters and avoid clashes between their citizens. It marks a major shift in the way fishing activities will be managed across the contested zone.
“This agreement brings fairness, clarity, and stability to our fishermen,” said Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho. “It is a practical step toward protecting thousands of livelihoods that depend on Lake Victoria.”
CS Joho confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kenya and Uganda following talks led by Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni. The two leaders pledged to end arbitrary enforcement actions and instead cooperate on sustainable resource management.
The deal includes licensing terms, fishing access, and transit conditions for fish caught in Lake Victoria. Uganda’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Frank Tumwebaze, welcomed the pact, emphasizing joint responsibility in curbing illegal practices. “We will support legal fish transport through Uganda and will not tolerate those misusing the system for illegal fishing,” Tumwebaze stated in Nairobi.
The agreement also introduces oversight mechanisms meant to reduce harassment of fishermen, an issue that has strained relations for more than a decade. In recent years, fishermen mostly Kenyan have faced arrests and equipment seizures by Ugandan authorities, sparking diplomatic tensions.
By establishing a shared licensing body and agreed protocols for fishing activities, both governments aim to replace conflict with cooperation. The plan is expected to reduce confrontations near Migingo Island and build trust between fishing communities.
Officials from both countries say the agreement is part of broader efforts to enhance bilateral trade and security coordination across the Lake Victoria region.
Migingo Island, less than an acre in size, lies near the Kenya-Uganda border and has been the focus of a territorial standoff since 2004. Though technically shared, both nations have at times deployed security forces around the islet, increasing friction over maritime boundaries and fishing access.
The joint license system is set to begin in the coming months, pending full rollout of registration and enforcement protocols.
For fishermen along the border, the move is seen as a breakthrough. “We just want to fish in peace,” said a boat owner in Mbita. “If both governments keep their word, it will help all of us.”
The MoU does not settle ownership claims over Migingo but focuses on shared use of Lake Victoria’s resources. Negotiations on long-term sovereignty remain unresolved.
The agreement offers a chance for stability in a region where economic survival depends on access to the lake.
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