The Kenyan government has dismissed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s recent remarks suggesting a possible future war over access to the Indian Ocean.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei noted that Kenya is confident that President Museveni understands the principles of sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and natural resource rights.
Sing’Oei noted that Kenya remains firm in safeguarding its territorial integrity and believes Uganda recognizes the limits of its own jurisdiction.
Government Downplays Museveni’s War Remarks With Kenya Concerning Indian Ocean Access. Photo: Courtesy.
Museveni made the controversial remarks during a radio interview at Mbale State Lodge on Sunday, November 8.
He claimed that Uganda deserves access to the Indian Ocean to enhance its economic growth and strengthen its strategic security.
President Yoweri Museveni criticized what he described as the irrational organization of African states that limits landlocked countries from accessing the ocean.
He argued that Uganda’s lack of direct access to the sea hinders its ability to develop sectors such as maritime security and trade.
Museveni maintained that countries without coastlines should have shared access to the ocean for economic and strategic purposes.
He compared Uganda’s situation to neighbors living in the same space who must share common resources.
Uganda, which relies heavily on Kenya’s port of Mombasa for imports and exports, imports about 90 percent of its fuel through Kenya and the remaining 10 percent through Tanzania.
In January 2024, Uganda filed a case against Kenya at the East African Court of Justice, accusing Nairobi of restricting its access to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
