afrol News, 28 April - The Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the flag to be lowered in the disputed Migingo island in Lake Victoria to maintain neutrality as teams of experts on borders demarcation are expected to meet early next month, the government spokesman has said.

Kenya and Uganda have been in a bitter spat over the ownership of one of the smallest of the Migingo islands which Uganda has laid a claim on since 2008 though it is closer to the Kenyan borders.

"In keeping with the spirit of East African Community cooperation and integration, President Museveni directed, after consultations, that the Ugandan flag be lowered on Migingo island," the Uganda official said.

The Ugandan government issued a statement last week saying Uganda and Kenyan surveyors are meeting early May for the border survey and remarking of the disputed Migingo, though it said Uganda will continue to administer the island until the remarking of the border is complete.

Last week Wednesday, the Uganda national broadcaster reported president Yoweri Museveni saying in his statement that the island is located in Kenya but its western shore is in Uganda, a statement according to local analyst that could mark the end of a tussle between the East African neighbours.

Uganda has occupied the island since 2004 but Kenya maintains that it is on its side of the border. Tensions began to rise when Ugandan security began charging Kenyans residency fees on the island.

Waters around Migingo are rich in fish, whereas other parts of Lake Victoria have been decimated by over-exploitation.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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