Kenya, Uganda agree to form joint police force on disputed island

Kenya and Uganda on Wednesday agreed to form a joint police force on the Migingo Island, which is claimed by both countries along their commom border.

Kenya's police chief Joseph Boinnet told journalists in Nairobi that the joint police force to be deployed on the island in Lake Victoria will enforce the law without favor or discrimination as to the nationality of the offenders.

"We have agreed that we shall undertake joint patrols and other joint missions on the island and on the waters," Boinnet said.

"The police officers in liaison with local leaders from both countries should ensure that all residents of the island are registered to avoid infiltration by criminals," he said during a media briefing together with visiting Ugandan police chief, Kale Kayihura.

Boinnet said that during the joint patrols, the maximum number of police officers to be deployed by each nation will not exceed 12 at any time on the tiny island.

The move comes in response to media reports that residents on the island are facing harassment from police officers of both nations.

The two countries also agreed to form a joint special police unit to focus on the Northern Corridor, which links Kenya's Mombasa port to landlocked Uganda. Enditem