Some 40 Congolese fishermen were arrested and released on Saturday by Uganda security operatives after they were found carrying out illegal fishing on Ugandan waters on Lake Edward, Daily Monitor has learnt.

The Bushenyi District Fisheries Officer, Mr Anthony Rubeihayo, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the suspects were found laying their nets half a kilometre from Kisenyi Landing Site on Lake Edward in Bushenyi.

"The Congolese have continued to come as far as less than a kilometre from our landing sites," said Mr Rubeihayo.

Twenty-five per cent of the lake lies in Uganda and it is shared by the districts of Kasese, Rukungiri and Bushenyi, leaving the other portion (75 per cent) in the DRC.

On arresting the suspects, who were later released after pleading with the authorities, 10 of their fishing boats were impounded.

"They begged for forgiveness, arguing that they were looking for survival," Mr Rubeihayo said, adding: "We asked them to write an agreement that they will not encroach on Ugandan waters again."

He said next time they will not hesitate to take them to court.

The operation was carried out by officials from the fisheries department, the Police and members of Kisenyi Beach Management Unit.

"The operation was mounted after several complaints by the Uganda fishermen," Mr Rubeihayo said.

In June, a meeting aimed at solving the long standing conflict between fishermen of the two countries on the lake was convened at Kyavinyonge landing site in the DRC.

The members agreed to form a monitoring committee to oversee fishing activities on the lake.

The fishermen of the two countries attribute the invasion to lack of a clear boundary on the lake.