President William Ruto has dismissed media reports suggesting a looming feud between Kenya and Uganda over access to the Indian Ocean. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Devki Steel Factory in Osukuru, Tororo District, Uganda, Ruto criticised sections of the press for allegedly exaggerating Uganda’s position on the matter.
“I know people in the journalist space try to create an impression that Uganda had said something to the effect that they need to access the sea by any means,” Ruto said. He assured critics that the relationship between Kenya and Uganda remained strong, describing the two nations as “brothers and sisters.”
Earlier in November, reports surfaced claiming that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had threatened to wage war on East African countries along the coastline to secure access to the Indian Ocean. The reports also suggested that Uganda intended to develop a navy, which would require coastal access.
However, President Ruto clarified that such claims were unfounded. He emphasised that Kenya and Uganda were already engaged in ongoing discussions to strengthen infrastructural collaborations, which included extending pipelines, roads, and railway networks connecting the two nations.
“Uganda is assured of access to the sea through Kenya. That is why we are not only extending the pipeline, but we are also extending the road and the railway,” Ruto explained. He added that there was no time for negative engagements and that the two countries would continue to work together for mutual benefit.
The president’s remarks reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to maintaining stable and friendly relations with Uganda. Analysts note that infrastructure projects between the two countries, including the standard gauge railway and cross-border trade corridors, are critical for regional economic growth.
By addressing the media claims directly, Ruto has sought to reassure both domestic and international audiences that Kenya-Uganda relations remain robust, ensuring that the strategic interests of both nations, including Uganda’s access to the coast, will be met through diplomatic channels and cooperation.
