What international laws say about Museveni's Indian Ocean claims

President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni at State House, Nairobi, during an official visit to Kenya in July 2025. [PCS]

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s claim of Kenya’s territorial waters of the Indian Ocean has sparked debate among maritime analysts and citizens of the two countries.

President Museveni warned of future wars between landlocked nations and their neighbours if they are denied access to the sea, in what was interpreted as a threat to Kenya.