Four Kenyan children are being held in Uganda’s Luzira Maximum Security Prison for engaging in illegal fishing on that country’s side of Lake Victoria.
The four include two secondary school students, one of whom is a KCSE candidate, and two in Standard Eight.
The candidates risk missing their national exams this year after Ugandan authorities slapped each with a Ksh50,000 ($431) fine or a jail term of six months.
Efforts by their parents and guardians to have them released have been futile.
“We are unable to raise the fine. I tried to convince [prison authorities] to release the school-going children when I visited the prison last week but they were adamant,” said Mr Denis Sikhembo.
“They insisted that the law on juveniles applies only in Kenya and maintained that they will have to pay the fine like everyone else before being set free.”
The administrator faulted Kenyan fishermen for defying established rules and regulations when fishing.
He said fishermen have been warned about using illegal fishing gear but in vain.
“Our people are the problem. We have sensitised them but they are not cooperating. Ugandans will not entertain them when they fail to adhere to laid-down rules when fishing,” he said.