A TINY island measuring just half an acre is among the world’s most over-populated.
With no running water, wifi, or even sewage systems, this small piece of land has been at the centre of a tug-a-war between two countries for decades.
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Migingo Island is located on Lake Victoria, along the border of Kenya and Uganda, and is said to be home to around 500 residents.
The tiny rock is officially part of Kenya, defined by 1926 colonial boundaries, but also had jurisdiction claimed by Uganda in 2004.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were tense, with many referring to the struggle over the island as “Africa’s Smallest War”.
And while the densely populated land is smaller than an average football pitch, it plays home to an industry “worth millions in exports”.
Traval TikToker Kieran Brown recently visited the island, showing over 500,000 viewers around the small village.
“There’s no running water, no sewage, no hospitals,” the influencer explained as he explored the narrow “streets”.
Booming business
But a booming local industry draws many to the extremely cramped lifestyle.
“The waters around Migingo Island are packed with Nile Perch and Nile Perch is worth millions in exports, so controlling Migingo means controlling the money,” the TikToker revealed.
Migingo also has barbers, traders, a pharmacy, a beauty salon, and even a brothel and casino.
However, the fishing industry is the main employer, with “hundreds of fishermen” inhabiting the island.
Decades of conflict
Since 2004, Uganda has begun taxing the fisherman as well as flying its flag on the island.
A 2009 diplomatic agreement, brokered with the presence of Marines, has allowed for co-management between the two nations.
However, the dispute remains politically sensitive to this day, with unclear border enforcement.
As of 2025, a memorandum of understanding between Kenya and Uganda aims to implement joint fishing licences to ease tensions.
Fishing in the area remains highly lucrative, with daily catches worth up to £6,000.
Other densely populated islands around the world
- Santa Cruz del Islote, Colombia (Caribbean Sea) – 103,917 people/km²
- Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong – 61,328 people/km²
- Fadiouth (Île de Fadiouth), Senegal – 60,000 people/km²
- Malé, Maldives – 47,416 people/km²
- Ebeye, Marshall Islands – 41,667 people/km²
- Bungin Island, Indonesia (Bali Sea) – 41,176 people/km²
- Ilha de Moçambique, Mozambique – 36,210 people/km²
- Manhattan, New York City, USA – 27,489 people/km²
- Salsette Island, Mumbai, India – 24,414 people/km²
Over 200 boats operate from the island, supplying mainland markets.
And while it can cost you up to £190 to visit, via a two-hour speedboat journey, accomodation on the island proves much cheaper.
With a density population of approximately 65,500 people/km², residents sleep virtually “shoulder-to-shoulder”.
Kieran joked that you can enjoy a “luxury” stay in a “waterfront room” in one of the island’s many “metal shacks” for just £1 a night.
More on unique islands
Sign up to live on this tiny remote island off the UK coast and get paid a staggering £70,000 a year.
And the small island off the coast of Britain that is home to stunning beaches as well as the UK’s most beautiful toilets.
Plus, the tiny European island where the sun doesn’t set for 69 days.
Locals on a tiny island just an hour from London say it is like “being on holiday all year”.
And the world’s “most remote island” that’s 336 miles away from neighbours, and is home to Brits.
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