NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially downplayed recent controversial remarks by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who threatened war over access to the Port of Mombasa and the Indian Ocean, claiming he “owns” the sea through Kenyan transit.
The Ministry insisted that the Ugandan leader is fully aware of international territorial laws and suggested his comments should not be taken as a serious threat to regional stability.
The Indian Ocean ‘ownership’ claim
President Museveni, whose country is landlocked, made the contentious remarks in a recent public statement, suggesting that denying landlocked states like Uganda guaranteed, unimpeded access to the sea is a dangerous policy that could potentially escalate into future violent disputes.
Museveni’s rhetoric included the metaphorical claim that, since 80% of goods passing through the Port of Mombasa are destined for Uganda, he essentially “owns” the Indian Ocean through his country’s reliance on the transit corridor.
He further asserted that maritime access is a non-negotiable component of Uganda’s economic and national security.
A risk to bilateral ties
While Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry sought to minimize the tension, regional experts have warned that Museveni’s remarks, including the notion of “ownership” and veiled threats of military action should negotiations fail, risk severely straining bilateral relations and the cohesion of the East African Community (EAC).
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Uganda and Kenya have generally maintained friendly diplomatic ties but have a history of disputes over shared resources and infrastructure, such as the contention over Migingo Island in Lake Victoria and slow progress on crucial joint projects like the Eldoret–Kampala oil pipeline and transnational railway.
Analysts interpret the Ugandan leader’s recent statements as strategic posturing. It is seen as a signal to neighboring countries, particularly Kenya, regarding the vital importance of safeguarding Uganda’s maritime economic interests and pushing for stronger regional integration to prevent future conflicts over resources and access.
The Kenyan government’s official stance, however, remains focused on adherence to established international maritime legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and a commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue.
