Museveni Clarifies Comments on Indian Ocean, Calls for Stronger East African Unity

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has moved to calm tensions in Kenya. His remarks about the Indian Ocean caused concern. He said they were misunderstood. He insisted he meant no hostility.

Museveni spoke in an interview with Uganda’s national broadcaster on Thursday, November 20. He emphasized the need for stronger East African unity. He called for political and military integration. He said separate defence systems weaken the region. He warned that global powers exploit Africa’s fragmentation.

The president explained that references to the Indian Ocean were about strategy. Landlocked countries face challenges in defence and trade access. “How can I be hostile when I am promoting economic integration to Kenya? Even if we are together in EAC, we don’t plan defence together,” Museveni said.

Museveni noted that East African countries still operate separate military systems. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda manage their own defence independently. He said this limits the region’s ability to respond to threats. A unified military command would strengthen security and global influence.

He called for a political federation within the EAC. Pooling resources and coordinating strategies would maximize potential. “You find Kenya goes their own defence, Tanzania has, Uganda has, and the countries near the shores may not have finance. So that is why I was talking of political federation,” he said.

Museveni framed his remarks as a long-term vision. Political and military unity, he said, would protect the region. He urged member states to go beyond economic cooperation. Stronger coordination, he stressed, is vital to counter external pressures and boost East Africa’s global standing.