A tiny, 0.49-acre island in Africa houses 131 inhabitants and caused 'Africa's smallest war'
Migingo Island is a 0.49-acre island island in Lake Victoria, one of the African Great Lakes.
A 2009 census reports a population of 131 people, though others place it at around 500.
The waters surrounding Migingo Island are rich in Nile perch, and the valuable fishing waters have been disputed by its neighboring countries.
Kenya and Uganda both claimed ownership of the island in what The Independent dubbed "Africa's smallest war."
As Daniel Howden reports, the profitable fishing waters attracted pirates, and Uganda was the first to respond. Then they decided to cash in, instituting costly entry permits and arresting fishermen without them. Kenya responded in kind by claiming the island, and Uganda sent Marines.
Foreign ministers of both countries stepped in before the conflict escalated, and the demarcation line attributing it to Kenya was set in 2009.
Kenyans and Ugandans now share space on the small rock that is less than half the size of a football field.
It's home to four pubs, a pharmacy, a hair salon, and several brothels.
Concerns about poverty and over fishing still persist.
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