When envisioning densely populated locales, metropolises like Paris, Rome, and New York often spring to mind. Yet, there exists a diminutive island that truly surpasses expectations.
Nestled in Africa’s Lake Victoria lies Migingo Island, a place that epitomizes small-scale living.
This landmass measures less than 0.5 acres, akin to half the size of a standard soccer field. Awkwardly straddling the border between Uganda and Kenya, Migingo’s ownership remains a matter of contention.
In light of this ambiguity, reports suggest that a bilateral commission will scrutinize the territory to ascertain its rightful owner. This development follows previous attempts by both nations to delineate the border through a joint commission, yielding no conclusive outcome.
Since then, Uganda and Kenya have jointly administered the island.
The protracted dispute over Migingo’s ownership has earned the moniker of Africa’s ‘smallest war.’
Given the island’s petite dimensions, its amenities are clustered closely together. Residents inhabit metal shanties adjacent to one another. Alongside dwellings, Migingo purportedly hosts four bars, a makeshift salon, and several brothels, according to the Mirror.
Despite the presence of multiple bars, reportedly only one sanitation facility serves the populace. The predominant occupation on the island revolves around fishing, with species like Nile Perch abundant in the surrounding deep waters.
It is this fishing activity that beckons individuals to the minuscule enclave.
In a conversation with The Guardian in 2018, Migingo resident Isaac Buhinza remarked that he gravitated towards the island due to the bountiful returns his friends garnered from their fishing ventures. Residing on the island rather than commuting from neighboring nations saves fishermen fuel costs and provides access to wholesale markets.
The lucrative nature of Nile perch fishing is underscored by its soaring market value in recent years, with prices escalating by 50 percent as of 2019.
According to Kenyan fisherman Kennedy Ochieng, premium-grade Nile perch could fetch over $300 per kilogram in international markets, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Despite the continued abundance of Nile perch around the island, other fish species have witnessed a sharp decline in stocks.
