Rukwanzi Island is a territory of Democratic Republic of Congo
The Lake Albert victims found themselves in the wrong place on an afternoon of heightened tensions. Rukwanzi island, at the heart of the lake, is territory claimed by both Uganda and DRC. The disputed border between the countries runs right through the middle, an area which is estimated to contain over one billion barrels of oil. The passenger ferry with 50 Congolese on board left Rukwanzi for a scheduled crossing to Kasenyi at around 1pm, just as the Heritage boat was being apprehended by the UN. [...] Residents of Rukwanzi told Corporate Watch on a visit to the island in 2009 that the families of the dead had been promised $100 in compensation by the Congolese authorities but that the money never arrived. Attitudes towards Uganda have hardened, while many are concerned offshore oil drilling will affect the fishing industry. [...] 13.00 Passenger ferry carrying 50 Congolese leaves Rukwanzi for a scheduled crossing to Kasenyi.