Kikuube District, Uganda – May 16, 2025

Fishermen and local leaders in Kikuube District are urgently calling for increased security measures on Lake Albert following a deadly clash that has heightened fears of retaliatory attacks. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recently shot and killed two suspected Congolese militiamen during a fierce gun battle on the lake, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

The incident, reported on May 14, 2025, has left fishing communities on edge, with local leaders expressing concerns that militia groups from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may launch reprisals. Lake Albert, which straddles the border between Uganda and the DRC, has long been a hotspot for cross-border security challenges, including clashes involving armed groups like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO).

“We are living in fear,” said a fisherman from Kikuube, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “The lake is our livelihood, but it’s becoming too dangerous. We need more protection to feel safe.”

Local leaders are now pressing for a stronger UPDF and security agency presence on the lake and along its shores. They argue that intensified patrols and surveillance are critical to safeguarding fishing communities, which play a vital role in the region’s economy. The fisheries sector employs approximately 5.3 million Ugandans and contributes 3.5% to the national GDP, according to recent reports.

The call for enhanced security comes amid broader regional instability. The UPDF has been actively engaged in operations in eastern DRC, including Ituri Province near Lake Albert, to counter militias like CODECO and the ADF. In March 2025, the UPDF reported killing 242 CODECO militiamen in clashes that also claimed the life of a Ugandan commander, highlighting the intensity of the conflict across the border.

Kikuube’s leaders have also criticized the current deployment of UPDF’s Fisheries Protection Unit, which some claim has disrupted fishing activities under the guise of enforcing regulations. “The government must balance security with the needs of our fishermen,” said a local official. “We need protection, not harassment.”

The UPDF has acknowledged the concerns and reiterated its commitment to securing the border. “We are constantly vigilant and working with sister agencies to ensure safety,” said UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi in a recent statement. He emphasized that measures are in place to prevent armed groups from infiltrating Uganda.

As tensions simmer, the situation on Lake Albert underscores the complex interplay of security, economic, and cross-border dynamics in the region. For Kikuube’s fishing communities, the hope is that increased security will restore calm and allow them to ply their trade without fear.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan