Museveni clarifies Indian Ocean comments after Kenya downplayed war talk
On Friday, Museveni sought to clear the air on his statements about Uganda’s claim to coastal access, which had sparked widespread debate across Kenya.
Following days of uproar and debate over remarks by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni that his country would invade Kenya to access the Indian Ocean, he has now moved to clarify his comments.
On Friday, Museveni sought to clear the air on his statements about Uganda’s claim to coastal access, which had sparked widespread debate across Kenya.
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Speaking to the Ugandan national broadcaster on Friday, November 21, 2025, the President said his remarks were rooted in the push to establish a political federation aimed at deepening political, economic, and military integration beyond the current East African Community (EAC) customs union and common market.
“The issue of strategic security is why I talked about the Indian Ocean. Even if we are together in the EAC, we do not plan defence together. Every member country has its own defence,” he said.
Following Museveni’s remarks, Nairobi pledged to help Kampala secure access to the Indian Ocean, downplaying the President’s earlier threats of war and forceful invasion.
Speaking during a media briefing on Kenya’s foreign policy this week, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said it was in Kenya’s strategic interest to facilitate the movement of more cargo to neighbouring states.
Mudavadi noted that Kenya was aware of international conventions on landlocked countries and that it had an obligation to assist them.
“Kenya is a responsible member of the international community, and it is in our interest to facilitate any landlocked country that wishes to use the Port of Mombasa,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi, who ranks third in the Executive, added that Kenya had never denied any landlocked country such access.
“And, in any case, what would be the value of the port if it does not generate revenue?” he asked.
Responding to a question on Nairobi’s position regarding Museveni’s threat, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said, “I believe very much that he has a fairly great understanding of our rights with respect to our natural resources, and his rights over natural resources in Ugandan territory.”
Last Sunday, Museveni sparked alarm when he warned of future wars over access to the Indian Ocean for economic and defence reasons, claiming the ocean “belongs to me”.
Foreign Affairs officials in Nairobi, however, appeared to steady the situation, emphasising Kenya’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy and regional cooperation.
They said that despite the fiery rhetoric, Kenya remained guided by legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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