Can a landlocked state own the ocean? Museveni’s claim sparks legal, diplomatic debate

The remarks triggered widespread confusion, diplomatic discomfort, and a surge of online satire, particularly in Kenya, where users mocked Uganda’s lack of a coastline and naval force.

But over the weekend, Kenya’s President William Ruto intervened—not to criticise Museveni, but to defend him.

Ruto accused the media of distorting the Ugandan leader’s comments and urged the public to view the controversy as a misunderstanding between “brotherly nations.”

For several days, relations between Nairobi and Kampala appeared unsettled, the tension fuelled by Museveni’s comments that seemed to upend the very geography of East Africa.

Campaigning for yet another term in office, Museveni did not merely request greater regional integration—he asserted a claim to the Indian Ocean itself.

Museveni: “I am entitled to that ocean… it belongs to me. In the future, we are going to have wars.”

Reaction in Kenya was swift. While social-media users responded with humour, government officials treated the statement more cautiously—dismissing talk of war but reaffirming Kenya’s obligations as a regional transit hub.

“Kenya is a responsible member of the international community, and it is in our interest to facilitate any landlocked country that wishes to use the port of Mombasa.” Mudavadi said.

“People in the journalism space tried to create an impression that Uganda had said something to the effect that they need to access the sea by any means. I want to assure the naysayers that Uganda and Kenya are brotherly countries. Uganda is assured of access to the sea through Kenya.” President Ruto said.

“How can you say that because you live on the ground floor, the compound belongs only to you? The compound belongs to the whole block.” he said. 

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—ratified by both Kenya and Uganda—the answer is no.

Coastal states such as Kenya exercise full sovereignty over their territorial waters.

Landlocked states cannot claim ownership of any part of the ocean.

However, Article 125 of the convention does guarantee landlocked countries the right of access to and from the sea, along with freedom of transit through neighbouring states.

International law therefore obligates transit states—including Kenya—to facilitate such access.