Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi held talks with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni at the Mayuge State Lodge in Uganda amid the ongoing controversy over the Indian Ocean remarks.
In a statement on November 21, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary noted that during the meeting, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to the East African Community (EAC) agenda of fostering regional integration.
“Kenya affirms its commitment to the East African Community ideology of fostering strong regional integration that champions for a politically united, prosperous, and secure East Africa through economic, social, and political cooperation,” read the statement.
During the discussions, the two leaders addressed bilateral and regional issues, with Mudavadi stressing that President William Ruto and President Museveni remain committed to strengthening cooperation for the benefit of citizens in both countries.
Mudavadi was accompanied by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Joash Maangi, and other senior national officials.
Museveni Meets Mudavadi
In an interview on Thursday, Museveni explained that he raised concerns about the Indian Ocean to address strategic security in Africa and the need for regional defence coordination.
He noted that, despite efforts toward African integration, countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania maintain separate defence systems.
The Ugandan President referred to global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, and India, who he said are advancing in space exploration, with missions to the moon, giving them a strategic advantage.
“The issue of strategic security is where I talked about the Indian Ocean. Some countries in the world are superior in air force, navy, & satellite, but the East African countries near the shores may not have that capacity. That is where political federation comes in,” Museveni said.
“The ones here are our slaves. Those people on the moon are looking at us like insects.”
Also Read: Museveni Sends Delegation to Kenya Days After Threatening to Take Over Indian Ocean
He added that some nations may excel in air and naval forces and satellite capabilities, while countries along regional shores might lack the financial capacity to match them.
Museveni reiterated that these disparities underscore the importance of political federation within the African community.
Also Read: Bob Njagi Explains What Museveni’s ‘Put Them In The Fridge’ Confession Meant
Uganda’s President Eyes Indian Ocean
In a previous interview, the Ugandan President sparked reactions after his remarks stating that his landlocked country has a right to access the Indian Ocean.
He criticized Africa’s existing political borders, describing them as irrational and restrictive for trade and security.
“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,” Museveni said.
The long-serving Ugandan leader argued that it is unreasonable for only coastal countries to have access to the ocean while landlocked nations like Uganda are left isolated.
“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,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
