Six Ugandan fishermen abducted by suspected Congolese militia: police

KAMPALA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least six Ugandan fishermen were captured on Saturday by suspected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) militiamen on a common border lake that links the two neighboring countries, a police spokesperson said here on Sunday.

Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua that suspected Congolese Mai-Mai militia kidnapped the fishermen on Lake Albert, located at the Uganda and DRC common border.

He said the six fishermen from Rweshama village in the western district of Rukungiri whose whereabouts remain unknown were abducted with their engine motor boat.

"The kidnappers are suspected to be Mai-Mai militias. The BISO's (Border Internal Security Officer) office is linking up with Congolese local authorities for their safe release," said Onyango.

There have been abductions, fights and accusations between the two countries over a disputed border water area believed to have huge oil deposits.

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. Enditem