Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has stirred regional debate after declaring that his landlocked country is entitled to access the Indian Ocean. In his remarks, made during an interview on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Museveni emphasized that Africa’s political borders are “irrational” and continue to restrict trade, defense, and regional cooperation.
Museveni argued that landlocked nations like Uganda face unfair economic and security disadvantages due to their geographical position. “The political organisation in Africa is so irrational. Some of the countries have no access to the sea. For economic purposes, but also for defence purposes, you are stuck. How do I export my products?” he said.
He added that Uganda’s lack of a coastline prevents it from building a navy or independently managing its exports. “That’s why I say, you people, why don’t you see how to unite? Because in Uganda, even if you wanted to build a navy, how could you build it? We don’t have access to the sea,” Museveni explained.
Why Does Museveni Believe Uganda Is Entitled to the Indian Ocean?
The Ugandan leader voiced frustration over his country’s dependence on neighbors, particularly Kenya, for trade routes, pipelines, and railway infrastructure. “That’s why we have endless discussions with Kenya, then this one, this one stopped, then another one comes, and then… The railway, the pipeline, the water – we discuss. But that ocean belongs to me because where is my ocean? I’m entitled to that ocean,” he stated.
Using a vivid analogy, Museveni compared Africa to a block of flats where only the ground-floor occupants enjoy the compound, leaving others without access. “How can you say that you are in a block of flats and that the compound belongs to only the flats on the ground floor? The compound belongs to the whole block. All the flats are entitled to the compound,” he said.
Calling the current arrangement “madness,” Museveni insisted that Uganda’s right to the Indian Ocean is both economic and symbolic. “My ocean is the Indian Ocean. It really belongs to me. I’m on the top floor of the block, and then you say the compound belongs only to the ones on the ground floor. This is madness,” he lamented.
Could Regional Unity Solve East Africa’s Border Challenges?
Museveni concluded by urging East African nations to strengthen economic unity for shared prosperity and greater global influence. “You’d better unite economically for the sake of prosperity, if you want prosperity. Market. But if you want stability and also strength in the world, so that you can go to the moon, you can go to the moon. The ones who have been to the moon are big ones, not small people,” he said.
His remarks have reignited discussions about regional integration, access rights, and how East Africa’s landlocked countries can achieve fairer economic inclusion in a globalized world.
By Yockshard Enyendi
