KAMPALA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has beefed up security on disputed waters on a common border lake with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to avert possible revenge attacks following weekend deadly killings and abductions, a police spokesperson said Monday.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine regional police spokesperson based in the mid-western district of Hoima, told Xinhua by telephone that the police and military have deployed troops and increased patrols near the disputed waters on Lake Albert to ensure peace and security.
He said the enhanced security follows plans by Ugandan fishermen to carry out retaliatory attacks on Congolese following the weekend deadly attacks by armed Lendu militiamen that left two people dead, one injured and 5-6 still missing.
The deceased, injured and missing fishermen hail from Kaiso landing site, Baseruka Sub County in Hoima, which hosts thousands of Congolese refugees.
"The police and other security agencies have come in to reinforce and apply professional mechanisms. Let the community report any suspicious face and avoid going past the boundaries," said Hakiza.
"They should avoid issues like violence and revenge that may cause other problems," he said.
The Saturday attack came barely five days after the same militia attacked and cut into pieces five Ugandan fishermen on the same lake, before dumping their bodies in the waters, according to local media.
Hakiza blamed Ugandan fishermen for crossing into DRC's waters to do illegal fishing, which is causing confusion, unfortunate attacks and deaths.
"Ugandan fishermen have depleted fish here (Ugandan side) so they normally cross to Congo waters hence bringing all this confusion. But this is being addressed at high level," said Hakiza.
Authorities in Kampala and their Kinshasa counterparts have in the past agreed to conduct joint operations by fisheries and security officials to prevent clashes and disagreements over fishing in the disputed area, which both countries claim ownership.
