"We Are Going to Have Wars": Museveni Lists Countries That Must Not Try to Access the Indian Ocean

In a statement that has drawn widespread attention across East Africa, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently declared that a particular ocean “belongs” to him, asserting that he is entitled to it and warning that disputes over maritime control could lead to wars in the future.

Speaking at a regional security forum on Monday, Museveni emphasized Uganda’s historical and strategic interests in regional waters. 

“That ocean belongs to me. Because it is my ocean. I am entitled to that ocean. In the future, we are going to have wars,” he said, in remarks that have been widely reported in local media.

The remarks have sparked immediate debate among policymakers, analysts, and neighboring countries. 

Uganda is a landlocked nation, and its direct access to international waters is limited, primarily relying on agreements with Kenya and Tanzania to access ports on the Indian Ocean. 

Experts say Museveni’s statement may reflect ongoing tensions over maritime boundaries, trade routes, and natural resource exploitation in the region.

Kenyan and Tanzanian officials have not issued formal responses, but regional observers note that such declarations, even if rhetorical, can strain diplomatic relations. 

Analysts caution that statements framing water bodies as personal or national entitlements could fuel nationalist sentiments and complicate ongoing efforts to manage shared maritime resources peacefully.

Regional security experts argue that dialogue and cooperation remain essential to prevent escalation.

 “While it is unusual for a leader to make such personal claims over international waters, the underlying issue often relates to control of fisheries, trade, and potential oil and gas reserves,” said Dr. Harriet Kiggundu, a lecturer in East African studies at Makerere University.

Museveni’s remarks come at a time when East African nations are negotiating frameworks for maritime security and resource sharing, highlighting the delicate balance between national interests and regional cooperation.