President William Ruto has broken his silence on President Yoweri Museveni’s remarks about Uganda’s desire for access to the Indian Ocean and alleged “war threats,”.

Speaking in Tororo, Ruto said the media has tried to create an impression that Uganda needs to access the sea by all means.

He stated that Kenya and Uganda are good neighbours and have no time for such negative talk.

Ruto emphasized that Uganda already has access to the sea through Kenya, which is why the two governments have prioritized building roads and pipelines to ensure the landlocked nation is not left behind.

“I know journalists try to create an impression that Uganda had said something to the effect that they need to access the sea by all means. Let me assure the naysayers that Uganda and Kenya are brothers and sisters, and we don’t have time for negative engagements,” Ruto said.

“Uganda is assured of access to the sea through Kenya, and that is why we are not only extending the pipeline, we are also extending the road and railway, because we believe that this region needs to move as one,” he added.

Ruto asked the media to stop engaging in negative discussions about the relationship between Kenya and Uganda.

He said the two governments are focused on progress, creating jobs, investments, and connecting East African countries.

“For those who want to engage us in negative talks, we want to tell them, please give us a break. We don’t have time for negative talks; we have time for progress,” Ruto said.

“We want to work together to create jobs, attract investments, make investments, and connect this region so that we can share  prosperity because poverty cannot be shared.”

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Ruto to Work With All East African Countries

Ruto said Kenya remains committed to working with Uganda, Rwanda and all East African countries to ensure the development of the region.

“I reiterate Kenya’s readiness to continue working hand-in-hand with Uganda, Rwanda, and all our East African partners to transform today’s milestone into tomorrow’s prosperity,” he said.

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Museveni Indian Ocean Comment

In a past radio talk show, Museveni complained that Uganda’s geography limits its trade ambitions and its ability to build a navy.

He argued that coastal countries (such as Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and others) benefit unfairly and insisted that the Indian Ocean “belongs” to Uganda by right of regional belonging.

“That ocean belongs to me; it is my ocean. I am entitled to it. In the future, we may have wars,” he said.

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Collage of President William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni for illustration purposes.PHOTO/DN