President William Ruto has moved to shut down speculation over claims that Uganda is ready to take drastic action to access the Indian Ocean.
Speaking on Sunday, November 23, Ruto stressed that the narrative was misleading and did not reflect the reality of the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
Ruto first addressed the suggestion that Uganda had made aggressive statements about sea access, saying reports in the media had created a false story. He said exactly:
"People in the journalism space tried to create an impression that Uganda had said something to the effect that they need to access the sea by all means.
"Let me assure the naysayers that Uganda and Kenya are brothers and sisters, and we do not have time for negative engagement," he said.
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Ruto further explained that Uganda’s access to the sea through Kenya remains guaranteed and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening regional ties.
"Uganda is assured of the access to the sea through Kenya, and that is why we are not only extending the pipeline, we are also extending the road, and we are also extending the railway, because we believe that this region needs to move as one," he added.
While speaking during a radio interview at the Mbale State Lodge on Sunday, November 8, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni warned of future wars in the East African Community over access to the Indian Ocean.
He argued that Uganda is entitled to access the Indian Ocean for its economic development and strategic defence.
Museveni 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 organization 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," he stated.
The Kenyan government had downplayed Museveni's remarks, saying 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," Foreign Affairs Principal Sing’Oei said on Wednesday, November 12.
