Uganda Announces Plans for a Naval Force Despite Being Landlocked

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has announced intentions to create a naval force, despite Uganda being landlocked. He emphasized the country's aspiration to access the Indian Ocean, asserting that Uganda possesses maritime rights comparable to those of its coastal neighbors, Kenya and Tanzania.

Museveni's vision includes enhancing existing maritime capabilities, which currently focus on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Victoria. The aim is to develop a force capable of safeguarding waterways and securing the nation's economic and security interests. The President regards maritime access as strategically vital to reducing Uganda's reliance on neighboring ports, especially the Kenyan port of Mombasa, which is crucial for the country's import and export activities.

The announcement has prompted significant regional reactions, with the Hoima Post describing Kenya's response as "cautious and swift," interpreting Museveni's remarks as metaphorical rather than an immediate regional demand. Researcher Achieng Odour viewed the statement as a reflection of a landlocked country's frustration with its strategic position.

These developments evoke historical tensions from the 1970s when the late Ugandan President Idi Amin sparked a diplomatic crisis by claiming territories in western Kenya.