Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
Migingo Island, a half-acre patch of land on Lake Victoria’s northeastern side, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with 1,000 inhabitants packed into its football-pitch-sized territory. Straddling the border between Uganda and Kenya, the island has been the subject of decades-long territorial disputes but is now co-managed by both nations. However, occasional tensions have earned it the nickname “Africa’s smallest war.”
A young fisherman once described the situation to AFP, noting that while there are periodic conflicts, life on the island largely goes on uninterrupted. Dubai-based filmmaker Joe Hattab recently visited Migingo, documenting its unique culture and observing Ugandans and Kenyans coexisting harmoniously.
Migingo’s transformation into a bustling fishing hub began with a small group of fishermen seeking Nile perch, or mbuta, in the surrounding waters. Once abundant along Lake Victoria’s shores, declining fish populations forced communities in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to explore alternative fishing grounds. Migingo, once uninhabited, quickly gained a reputation for its fertile waters, attracting fishermen from across East and Central Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nile perch, initially popular only locally, has become a highly sought-after export, now featured in upscale restaurants in Europe. This growing demand has solidified Migingo’s status as a hotspot for fishermen seeking fortune, despite its tiny size and complex geopolitics.
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