Uganda Demands Equal Share of Sea Benefits

Minister Byamukama addressing the IMO Assembly in London this week

LONDON/ENTEBBE — Uganda has issued a bold call for the inclusion of land-linked states in global maritime governance, arguing at the 34th International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly in London that access to the seas is a legal, economic, and strategic right—not a geographic privilege.

Speaking on behalf of the Ugandan government, Minister of State for Transport Hon. Fred Byamukama said:

“Access to the sea is not merely a matter of geography. It is a matter of policy, infrastructure, and international cooperation.”

He emphasized that Uganda’s trade, like many other land-linked nations, depends on maritime corridors through regional partnerships and port infrastructure in Kenya and Tanzania.

“Land-linked countries have often been overlooked in global maritime discourse, yet they play a vital role in global trade and environmental stewardship.”

Citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Byamukama reaffirmed Uganda’s right to high seas access for navigation, scientific research, and sustainable use of marine resources.

“These freedoms are not theoretical; they are foundational to our development, connectivity, and global participation.”

The call comes after President Yoweri Museveni stirred regional debate with his comment that “The Indian Ocean belongs to me too.”

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His Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, quickly reassured the region:

“Uganda is assured of access to the sea through Kenya. We are extending the road, the pipeline, and the railway.”

The two countries are deepening infrastructure links, with Kenya set to launch the Naivasha–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway extension in January 2026, and Uganda progressing on its Malaba–Kampala link.

Uganda’s intervention also highlights its growing role at the IMO, following the completion of its first Member State Audit (IMSAS) and increased participation in technical training and maritime policy committees.

“The oceans are the arteries of global trade, climate regulation, and biodiversity,” Byamukama said. “The benefits and burdens of maritime activity should be evenly distributed.”

He concluded with a call for inclusive maritime governance:

“Uganda stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of nations. Maritime governance is not the preserve of coastal states alone, but a shared responsibility for all.”