A second set of joint regional patrols to mitigate illegalities on the trans boundary Lakes Edward and Albert were done in August 2021 after the two neighboring countries, D.R Congo and Uganda met and signed Joint Communiques on the modus operandi of the patrols. This came four months after the extremely successful first ever joint patrols that nabbed over 20,000 illegal gears and exchanged 237 illegal fishers.
D.R Congo and Uganda met in D.R Congo’s Mahagi town (Ituri Province) and at Kyavinyonge (North Kivu Province) on the 3rd and 9th of August respectively for the regional entry meetings where rules of engagement and implementation modalities were discussed and agreed upon. The head of the D.R Congo delegation in the Kyavinyonge meeting was Admiral Egide Ngoy John, Commander of the 33rd Naval Force responsible for security on Lakes Edward, Albert and Kivu; whilst the delegation to the Mahagi meeting was led by Mr. Jimmy Banga Ryme, Adviser to H.E. the Military Governor of Ituri Province, in charge of Security and Good Governance. For both regional meetings, the Ugandan delegations were led by Lt. Colonel Dickson Kiirya Kaija, Head of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU).
Speaking at the Kyavinyonge, Admiral Egide Ngoy stated that, D.R Congo and Uganda had recorded a steep decline in illegalities since the first joint patrols conducted in March 2021 and said the patrols will lead to fishers getting bigger fish catch.
“These joint regional patrols being carried are a gift for the present and future generations, and they will remember this team that fought for protection and sensible fishing of existing species in the two lakes,” Admiral Egide added.
On his part, Uganda’s Col. Dick Kaija said, “Without LEAF II, these joint bilateral meetings and patrols might not have taken place.” “I am optimist that the patrols will further enhance confidence, coordination and cooperation between the two countries, for the benefit of the common fishers,” he added. Uganda reported that they were internally consulting and researching on suspension of solar lights for fishing and on instituting mandatory closed fishing seasons on Lake Albert, as is being practiced in the D.R Congo.
The two countries agreed on modalities of the joint patrols including dates and times, areas to be patrolled, a multi-lingual communication command channel through which direct communication and information exchange would take place. They further agreed on handling of illegal gears and illegal fishers arrested in each other’s waters, collection and processing points for illegalities, exchange of confiscated engines and boats in accordance the national laws of each country, as well as dates for the exit meetings to take stock and compare notes on the operation.
The Secretary General of the Fishers Committees of Lake Edward (FECOPEILE) Mr. Kambasu Katsuva Mukura Josué on his part said, “As fishers we fully support the patrols, because through them we will get more fish, especially if we protect the fish breeding and spawn areas.” “This Lake (Edward) is a gift to us from God, a God-given bank that we must protect and care for well and in return it will feed us and our future generations,” Mr. Kambasu added.
The joint regional patrols are supported by the LEAF II Project of NELSAP-CU/NBI in collaboration with LEAF II national units in D.R Congo and Uganda and are financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
At the start of the exercise, both countries exchanged foreign illegal fishers held in their respective jails.