- President Yoweri Museveni welcomed Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his delegation at the Mayuge State Lodge Hotel, where they discussed bilateral and regional issues
- The meeting followed recent diplomatic tensions fueled by Museveni’s controversial remarks questioning Kenya’s exclusive claim to the Indian Ocean coastline.
- The Kenyan government responded by reaffirming its commitment to international law and peaceful diplomacy, dismissing Museveni’s comments as non-threatening.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda met with Kenyan officials led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister Stay Mudavadi.
Source: Twitter
The message was given by Museveni at the Mayuge State Lodge, East UgandaThursday evening, November 20.
What did Mudavadi discuss with Museveni?
Museveni distributed photos of himself hosting the Kenyan officials.
Although he did not give full details of what they discussed, Museveni explained that they discussed issues concerning Kenya and Uganda and the greater East African region.
Also present was the High Commissioner of Kenya in Uganda, Joash Maangi.
“The Chief Secretary of the Cabinet of Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi, and his team visited me in Lodge Mayuge last night. We discussed issues concerning our countries and the region. I welcome him,” Museveni said.
Their meeting came a few days after the diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Uganda broke out following President Museveni’s violence regarding the Indian Ocean coast in Kenya.
What Museveni said on the coast of Kenya’s Indian Ocean
In a November 9 interview with Uganda’s national broadcaster, Museveni claimed that proximity alone should not give the right to nations to claim ownership of the Indian Ocean.
He compared the situation to tenants in a house sharing essential facilities, suggesting that Kenya should not claim exclusive rights over the sea.
Museveni further warned that Kenya’s control of its coastline could create tension in the future, even hinting at the possibility of leading a force to seize the coast and Port of Mombasa.
His remarks caused concern among Kenyans, prompting a response from the government. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the comments, describing them as non-threatening.
Secretary General Korir Sing’Oei assured the public of Kenya’s commitment to international territorial law and its preference for diplomatic cooperation.
He also reiterated the broad goals of the country’s foreign policy under the leadership of the President William Rutowhich prioritizes peaceful relations with neighboring nations.
Where else does Kenya have problems with Uganda?
Apart from the Indian Ocean coast, Migingo island in Lake Victoria was another center of conflict between Kenya and Uganda.
Tensions have been constant on the island as Ugandan troops control the area.
Dressed in military gear, the soldiers often fired into the air to scare Kenyan fishermen and traders, forcing them to retreat indoors.
The conflict began in 2004, when Uganda sent armed police and marines to the island and raised its national flag.
Kenyan fishermen complained of frequent harassment by Ugandan security officials.
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