Migingo Island, a small rocky island in Lake Victoria, has long been a subject of ownership dispute between Kenya and Uganda. Although the area is within Kenyan waters. The water is rich in fish, making it a valuable economic hub that attracts fishermen and has also led to a conflict over ownership.
The conflict over the island, which has an area of 2,000 square meters (less than half the size of a football field), began in 2004 when Ugandan soldiers established a base on the island. This is despite the island itself being considered part of Kenya based on borders drawn during the colonial era. Uganda asserted that the most valuable fishing grounds were within its section of the lake. Uganda stationed police and soldiers on the island for years and arrested Kenyan fishermen. After initially deploying its own forces, Kenya withdrew its troops in 2007 to avoid escalating tensions.
While some Ugandan officials acknowledged the island is in Kenya, Ugandan forces continued to patrol and enforce fishing regulations in the surrounding waters.
The population of Migingo Island was estimated in 2024 to be around 500 people, although some sources suggest it could be close to 1,800. The island is extremely densely populated due to its small size.
Despite diplomatic negotiations and a joint survey in 2019, the dispute over the island's jurisdiction continues. Currently, the island operates as an independent village, albeit a very crowded one. The inhabitants, including both Kenyans and Ugandans, live cheek-by-jowl in cramped corrugated iron shacks.
The island has a police station, several bars and hotels, recreational spots, and other small markets. The police station on the island is run by officials from both Kenya and Uganda. Basic infrastructure on the island is poor, and there are challenges related to sanitation and clean drinking water.