Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized the need for East African economic integration, warning that landlocked countries like Uganda are disadvantaged without access to the sea. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Museveni underscored the challenges faced by landlocked nations, describing Africa’s political borders as “irrational” and limiting for both trade and defence.
“The political organisation in Africa is so irrational. Some of the countries have no access to the sea. For economic purposes, but also for defence purposes, you are stuck. How do I export my products?” he said.
Museveni noted that Uganda’s lack of coastline prevents it from building a navy or exporting goods independently, making the country reliant on neighbouring nations, particularly Kenya, for trade infrastructure.
“That’s why we have endless discussions with Kenya… The railway, the pipeline, the water we discuss. But that ocean belongs to me because where is my ocean? I’m entitled to that ocean,” he added.
The ‘Block of Flats’ Analogy
To illustrate the inequities faced by landlocked nations, Museveni compared Africa to a block of flats where only ground-floor residents have access to the shared compound, while those on upper floors are excluded.
“How can you say that you are in a block of flats and that the compound belongs to only the flats on the ground floor? The compound belongs to the whole block,” he said.
He described the exclusion of landlocked countries from maritime access as “madness,” insisting that Uganda, despite having no coastline, should benefit from the Indian Ocean.
“My ocean is the Indian Ocean. It really belongs to me. I’m on the top floor of the block, and then you say the compound belongs only to the ones on the ground floor. This is madness,” Museveni said.
Call for Economic Integration
Museveni used the interview to urge East African nations to unite economically, framing regional integration as essential for prosperity, stability, and global influence.
“You’d better unite economically for the sake of prosperity, if you want prosperity. Market. But if you want stability and also strength in the world… the ones who have been to the moon are big ones, not small people,” he stated.
The president’s remarks highlight ongoing discussions about regional trade, infrastructure cooperation, and the strategic interests of landlocked countries in East Africa.
