Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has cautioned Uganda against issuing threats over maritime access, responding to President Yoweri Museveni’s recent comments suggesting that his country could one day confront neighbours, including Kenya, to secure routes to the Indian Ocean.
Kuria highlighted that such statements risk destabilising regional relations and could undermine decades of cooperation.
Kuria visited Uganda in 2023 as a Special Envoy on regional integration, during which he engaged in extensive discussions with Museveni on economic development and cross-border trade.
He praised Museveni’s focus on production-led and export-oriented growth, describing their four-hour meeting as insightful for students and analysts of political economy.
The former CS specifically raised concerns about General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and a senior military officer, warning that provocative actions or statements could tarnish Uganda’s regional standing.
“At a time when East Africa is observing tensions such as the Ethiopia-Eritrea maritime dispute, threatening Kenya over similar issues is unwise,” Kuria said in a public statement.
Kenya remains Uganda’s key gateway to the Indian Ocean, with the Port of Mombasa serving as a vital outlet for Ugandan exports.
Experts note that any suggestion of conflict could disrupt long-standing trade agreements and hinder regional integration efforts under the East African Community framework.
Kuria stressed the historic ties between Kenya and Uganda, describing the countries as “neighbours, brothers and sisters” and urging caution in rhetoric that could escalate tensions.
He underscored that diplomacy and economic cooperation have been critical in maintaining stability and fostering growth in the region.
While Kuria’s response reinforces the need for measured dialogue, the Ugandan government has not publicly replied to his statement.