The four Ugandan fishermen who, had been abducted by armed Congolese, were yesterday released, the army said.

Ugandans had been arrested for allegedly fishing on DR Congo waters on Friday morning. The UPDF Second Division Spokesperson, Capt. Robert Kamara, said the Congolese had also confiscated 10 boats belonging to Ugandan fishermen on the disputed island of Rukwanzi.

"There is no problem. The RDC and the DPC intervened and the situation is now calm.

There should be no cause for alarm. I think these Congolese were also trying to extort money," he said. "According to the information we have here, it is not Congolese soldiers but rival groups fighting on the lake. We understand they crossed to Congo and could not a pay fine," he added. Uganda and DR Congo have been fighting over the ownership of the tiny landing site. They both claim its ownership.

In 2007, four UPDF soldiers were arrested by the Congolese army for allegedly crossing to the Rukwanzi side of DR Congo.