Uganda Plans to Establish Naval Force Despite Being Landlocked

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has revealed plans to create a naval force, despite Uganda's status as a landlocked country. He articulated the nation's desire for access to the Indian Ocean, asserting that Uganda possesses maritime rights comparable to its coastal neighbors, including Kenya and Tanzania.

Museveni's vision involves enhancing existing maritime capabilities, particularly in the Great Lakes region, such as Lake Victoria. This initiative aims to establish a naval force that can safeguard waterways and protect Uganda's economic and security interests. The president contends that maritime access is crucial for diminishing Uganda's reliance on neighboring ports, especially the Kenyan port of Mombasa, which is vital for the country's import and export operations.

The announcement has elicited varied responses in the region, with the Hoima Post noting that Kenya's reaction was "cautious and swift," interpreting Museveni's remarks as more metaphorical than a direct regional demand. Researcher Achieng Odour suggested that this reflects a landlocked nation frustrated with its strategic vulnerabilities.

This development also evokes historical tensions from the 1970s, when former Ugandan President Idi Amin instigated a diplomatic crisis by seeking the annexation of territories in western Kenya.