Migingo – This Migingo Island is only the size of a football field, about 2,000 square meters. However, this small island is the most densely populated in the world.
Migingo Island, located on the northeastern shore of Lake Victoria at the border between Uganda and Kenya, is inhabited by 1,000 residents. This island is one of the most densely populated places in the world and is difficult to reach.
Dubai-based filmmaker Joe Hattab is sharing moments from his journey to this island. His story was also shared on YouTube.
With a small boat, he headed to the island that was once contested by Kenya and Uganda. Although this island is small, it has a lot of history and is the site of what the locals call the ‘smallest war’ in Africa.
Migingo has been a center of territorial disputes for several decades and is now jointly managed by Uganda and Kenya. There was a standoff in 2009, but eventually, both countries (Kenya and Uganda) agreed to form a joint commission to manage the island. They agreed that the interests of the Migingo fishermen must be guaranteed and prioritized.
Hattab said he witnessed Kenyan and Ugandan citizens gathering together in Migingo. This happened after a young fisherman had previously told AFP that there are sometimes tensions, although generally, people continue with their business.
In Hattab’s video, we can see how densely populated the settlement is on this fishing island. There are entertainment venues, accommodations, and even supermarkets there. (mungkin lebih tepatnya warung). It also shows how the narrow roads and the low-light atmosphere at night on this island.
In the morning, fishing boats can be seen docking at this island. In the video, the residents of Migingo talk about having a boat workshop, and if there is a damaged boat in the waters, they are the ones who repair it.
Why is this small island inhabited?
At that time, Migingo was uninhabited and gradually became known as a fertile fishing ground. Many other fishermen from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also arrived at this island.
Migingo became a major fishing hub after a handful of fishermen hoping to catch Nile perch, also known as mbuta, decided to try their luck on the island. Another reason why Miginggo has become a ‘refuge’ is that the marine life that once thrived in Lake Victoria is slowly disappearing. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa, and the loss of its once-abundant fish life has increased the risk for millions of people living along its shores in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. According to the conservation group WWF, in the past four decades, 80 percent of native fish species have disappeared.
Because of this, Migingo has become an increasingly popular fishing spot due to its remoteness. Until its population has swollen from around 130 residents in 2009 to more than 1,000 today.
Now, if we look from above, the island is completely covered by undulating zinc. This zinc comes from the houses that cover the island’s land, rising and falling following the contours.
The small island is said to be home to four bars, a hair salon, and a brothel. This island also has its own police force.
There is also a small clinic where a nurse handles minor issues from the island’s community. And if there are more serious medical issues, the residents have to travel to the mainland of Kenya.
The Story of the World’s Densest Island: The Size of a Football Field, Home to a Brothel
