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Uganda may block census officials from Migingo
Migingo Island on Lake Victoria. Ugandan authorities have indicated that census officials may be barred from accessing the island to count Kenyans. Photo/FILE
Posted Thursday, August 13 2009 at 13:32
In Summary
Kenyans operating on the island will, however, be allowed to go back to their homes in the mainland to be counted.
Uganda may bar Kenya census officials from accessing Migingo Island, security officers have said.
“As it is now, Migingo is our territory and we will not allow enumerators to come here unless we are directed by our bosses,” one of the officers told the Nation by phone on Thursday.
He said Kenyans operating on the island will, however, be allowed to go back to their homes in the mainland to be counted.
But the Migori DC Julius Mutula downplayed the matter saying he was already talking to the Ugandan authorities to allow the exercise to take place on the fish-rich island on the night of 24 and 25 August.
“We are just going to count our people…not to reclaim the island. We want to know how many Kenyans operate on the island as traders and fishermen,” he said.
Mr Mutula said the enumerators will be guarded by Kenyan security officers during their visit to the island.
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