Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently caused a major debate across East Africa after suggesting that landlocked countries should not be denied access to the Indian Ocean.
His remarks, made on Sunday, November 9, sparked online jokes, political reactions, and diplomatic questions.
Museveni warned that future conflicts could arise if countries without coastlines continue depending on their neighbours for sea access.
As the discussion continues, many Kenyans have been wondering whether Museveni has any legal basis for his argument, or if he was simply making a political statement.
As the discussion continues, many Kenyans have been wondering whether Museveni has any legal basis for his argument, or if he was simply making a political statement.
This explainer breaks down what international law says about the rights of landlocked countries, how such rights are implemented, and what happens if nations disagree.
During his address, Museveni compared East African countries to people living in a block of flats. According to him, the shared compound belongs to all the tenants, not just those living on the ground floor.
During his address, Museveni compared East African countries to people living in a block of flats. According to him, the shared compound belongs to all the tenants, not just those living on the ground floor.
In his analogy, Uganda is a “flat on the upper floor,” while Kenya and Tanzania are the “ground floor houses” with direct access to the ocean.
Museveni questioned why countries like Uganda must rely entirely on their coastal neighbours for sea access, especially when the region trades under economic blocs such as the East African Community (EAC).
He warned that tensions may rise in future if landlocked countries feel blocked or over-controlled in matters of trade routes and ports.
While many Kenyans found Museveni’s statement humorous, diplomacy experts noted that his concerns reflect real frustrations faced by landlocked nations globally.
According to international law, the answer is yes—but with important conditions.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often referred to as the “constitution of the oceans,” recognises that landlocked states have the right of access to and from the sea.
Museveni questioned why countries like Uganda must rely entirely on their coastal neighbours for sea access, especially when the region trades under economic blocs such as the East African Community (EAC).
He warned that tensions may rise in future if landlocked countries feel blocked or over-controlled in matters of trade routes and ports.
While many Kenyans found Museveni’s statement humorous, diplomacy experts noted that his concerns reflect real frustrations faced by landlocked nations globally.
According to international law, the answer is yes—but with important conditions.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often referred to as the “constitution of the oceans,” recognises that landlocked states have the right of access to and from the sea.
Article 125 of UNCLOS states that these countries must enjoy freedom of transit through neighbouring territories using all forms of transport.
This means Uganda is legally allowed to transport goods to and from the ocean through Kenya or Tanzania.
This means Uganda is legally allowed to transport goods to and from the ocean through Kenya or Tanzania.
The same applies to other landlocked nations such as Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia (currently landlocked), and many countries in Africa and Asia.
However, UNCLOS also recognises the full sovereignty of transit countries. That means Kenya and Tanzania have the authority to:
Protect their borders
Set transit conditions
Regulate security procedures
Ensure that transit rights do not undermine their national interests
So yes—Uganda has the right to access the Indian Ocean, but this right must be exercised according to agreements with the transit states.
What Agreements Currently Allow Uganda to Access the Ocean?
Uganda has long-standing transit and trade agreements with both Kenya and Tanzania. Most of Uganda’s imports and exports pass through:
Port of Mombasa in Kenya
Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
In recent years, Uganda has also negotiated new infrastructure projects, including:
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor
Oil pipeline arrangements
Expanded port usage rights
Museveni’s latest statement appears to question whether the current arrangements give Uganda enough freedom or whether the country should push for stronger or more permanent guarantees.
However, UNCLOS also recognises the full sovereignty of transit countries. That means Kenya and Tanzania have the authority to:
Protect their borders
Set transit conditions
Regulate security procedures
Ensure that transit rights do not undermine their national interests
So yes—Uganda has the right to access the Indian Ocean, but this right must be exercised according to agreements with the transit states.
What Agreements Currently Allow Uganda to Access the Ocean?
Uganda has long-standing transit and trade agreements with both Kenya and Tanzania. Most of Uganda’s imports and exports pass through:
Port of Mombasa in Kenya
Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
In recent years, Uganda has also negotiated new infrastructure projects, including:
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor
Oil pipeline arrangements
Expanded port usage rights
Museveni’s latest statement appears to question whether the current arrangements give Uganda enough freedom or whether the country should push for stronger or more permanent guarantees.
Analysts suggest he may be positioning Uganda for a strategic renegotiation on port and transit fees.
How Are Ocean Access Disputes Resolved?
UNCLOS offers several dispute resolution mechanisms. If two countries disagree, they can choose among:
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Arbitration under Annex VII of UNCLOS
Special tribunals for technical maritime disputes
Countries must first attempt negotiation. Only when talks fail can they escalate to international courts.
This framework was used during the Kenya–Somalia maritime case. In that dispute, the ICJ ruled largely in Somalia’s favour, even though Kenya later rejected the decision.
The same legal structures would apply if Uganda and Kenya ever entered a disagreement over transit rights.
How Are Ocean Access Disputes Resolved?
UNCLOS offers several dispute resolution mechanisms. If two countries disagree, they can choose among:
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Arbitration under Annex VII of UNCLOS
Special tribunals for technical maritime disputes
Countries must first attempt negotiation. Only when talks fail can they escalate to international courts.
This framework was used during the Kenya–Somalia maritime case. In that dispute, the ICJ ruled largely in Somalia’s favour, even though Kenya later rejected the decision.
The same legal structures would apply if Uganda and Kenya ever entered a disagreement over transit rights.
However, such conflicts are extremely rare, as states prefer diplomatic and economic arrangements over courtroom battles.
Experts believe Museveni was using strong language to highlight a long-standing challenge faced by landlocked nations.
Experts believe Museveni was using strong language to highlight a long-standing challenge faced by landlocked nations.
Kenyan geopolitical analyst Aly-Khan Satchu argues that Museveni’s comments were likely strategic, aimed at improving Uganda’s negotiation position on port access and reducing what he views as dependence on Kenya.
Satchu noted that Museveni’s frustration may also reflect wider regional trends, including Ethiopia’s recent push to secure direct access to the Red Sea.
Bottom Line
International law does not give Uganda ownership of the Indian Ocean.
But it does give Uganda the right to access the ocean through Kenya or Tanzania.
Satchu noted that Museveni’s frustration may also reflect wider regional trends, including Ethiopia’s recent push to secure direct access to the Red Sea.
Bottom Line
International law does not give Uganda ownership of the Indian Ocean.
But it does give Uganda the right to access the ocean through Kenya or Tanzania.
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Africa