Ruto Says Media Misrepresented Museveni’s Comments on Indian Ocean Access

President William Ruto has moved to ease concerns over Uganda’s access to the Indian Ocean, saying relations between the two countries remain stable and cooperative.

Ruto made the remarks in Tororo, Uganda, during the groundbreaking of the Devki Steel Factory, where he dismissed claims that Kampala was preparing military action to secure maritime routes. He said such reports had overstated recent comments by President Yoweri Museveni, who had questioned how landlocked states could maintain economic growth without direct access to the sea. 

According to Ruto, Uganda already has assured passage through Kenya’s coastline, and both governments are working together to expand pipelines, roads and rail links to support regional trade. Museveni has since explained that his comments were not a signal of confrontation but part of a wider call for deeper political integration within the East African Community. 

He argued that a political federation would build on the existing customs union by creating shared structures for economic, political and security decisions. Ruto expressed support for this goal, saying Kenya and Uganda have no interest in conflict and remain committed to close cooperation.

Ruto also announced new joint investments intended to strengthen regional infrastructure. He confirmed that Kenya will go ahead with the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), with 65 per cent of its shares set to be offered through an Initial Public Offering on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. 

He said Uganda will participate as a co-investor, reflecting plans to develop KPC as a regional rather than solely national asset. The cooperation includes proposed extensions of the Eldoret–Kampala pipeline towards Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the planned launch in January of the Standard Gauge Railway extension from Naivasha to Kampala. 

Ruto said these projects are expected to improve transport, reduce logistics costs and enhance cross-border connectivity. These developments mark a shift towards a closer partnership between Kenya and Uganda, reducing speculation about tensions over maritime access.