Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, on the night of Wednesday, November 19, held a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at the Mayuge State Lodge in Uganda.
In a statement on Friday, November 21, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation within the East African Community (EAC).
Mudavadi was accompanied by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Joash Maangi, among other leaders.
“Kenya affirms its commitment to the East African Community ideology of fostering strong regional integration that champions for a politically united, prosperous, and secure East Africa through economic, social, and political cooperation.
“This formed part of the discussions between H.E. President Kaguta Museveni and the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, during the recent visit to State Lodge Mayuge in Uganda,” read the statement in part.
Read More
During the meeting, President Museveni and Mudavadi also discussed bilateral relations between Kenya and Uganda.
OPCS noted that Mudavadi reaffirmed that President Ruto and Museveni will continue building bridges benefiting citizens of the two countries.
“The two leaders also discussed other bilateral and regional issues during the visit. Mudavadi reaffirmed that President William Ruto and President Museveni will continue building bridges that benefit the citizens of both nations,” OPCS added.
The meeting comes days after Museveni warned of future wars in the East African Community over access to the Indian Ocean.
Speaking on Sunday, November 8, during a radio interview at the Mbale State Lodge, Museveni said Uganda is entitled to access the Indian Ocean for its economic development and strategic defence.
The Ugandan President said it was ‘madness’ for countries to block landlocked nations from accessing the ocean.
"In Uganda, even if you want to build a navy, how can you build it? We don't have access to the sea. The political organisation in Africa is so irrational. Some of the countries have no access to the sea, and you are stuck.
“How do I export my products? That is why we have had endless discussions with Kenya. This one stops, another comes. But that ocean belongs to me; I am entitled to that ocean. In the future, we are going to have wars," Museveni stated.
However, the Kenyan government downplayed the Ugandan President's war threat over access to the Indian Ocean.
Addressing the media on November 12, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said Kenya believes that Museveni understands sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and natural resources.
“I will not comment much on what President Museveni said with respect to our oceans, but I believe very much that he does have a fairly great understanding of our territory and the nature of our rights with respect to our natural resources and his rights with respect to natural resources within Ugandan territory,” said PS Sing’Oei.
