A recent diplomatic flare-up between Kenya and Uganda has been quietly defused, thanks to timely intervention by President William Ruto. The Kenyan leader reassured Uganda that its vital access to the Indian Ocean through Kenya remains secure, following earlier remarks from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni that sparked concern.
The tension centred on the movement of essential goods, especially petroleum, from Mombasa to landlocked Uganda. Museveni’s public comment that Uganda might seek alternative sea routes “by all means” was interpreted by some observers as a challenge to Kenya’s longstanding role as the main conduit for Ugandan trade.
President Ruto moved quickly to calm anxieties. “People tried to create the impression that Uganda had said it needed to access the sea by all means. Let me assure the nay-sayers that Uganda and Kenya are brothers and sisters, and we don’t have time for negative engagements. Uganda is assured access to the sea through Kenya,” he said.
His words underscored the enduring partnership between the two neighbours and the importance of shared economic interests.
Mombasa Port remains the most efficient gateway for Uganda’s imports and exports. The rail and road networks linking the port to the Great Lakes region are central to trade and the wider East African economy. Kenya and Uganda are both key members of the East African Community (EAC), a bloc that relies heavily on integrated infrastructure and commerce.
Historical context adds depth to the reassurance. In the 1970s, Uganda under Idi Amin made aggressive territorial claims against Kenya. Kenya responded firmly, closing borders and mobilising diplomatic and military pressure, eventually forcing Amin to withdraw. Later, Amin’s invasion of Tanzania in 1978 prompted a decisive counter-offensive led by President Julius Nyerere, culminating in Amin’s overthrow in 1979.
Today, the focus is on economic collaboration rather than confrontation. By reaffirming Uganda’s access to the sea, President Ruto signals that regional challenges are best solved through dialogue and partnership, not tension or threats.
About the Author
