President Ruto and his rival pursue collaborative solutions with the Ugandan president

Kenyan President Ruto, Ugandan President Museveni, and Odinga hold crucial talks in Kisozi, Uganda.
Discussion topics include the DRC crisis and the resolution of the Kenya-Uganda oil dispute.
They committed to deepen diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and Uganda.

A report by the East African showed that President Ruto and President Museveni were joined by Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga to discuss some of the pressing issues between both countries, particularly the oil dispute that has put a dent in their economic relationship.

In addition, they convened to talk about the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, present Mr. Odinga as a contender for the AUC seat, and ask Uganda for help in uniting the split East African Community (EAC).

The former prime minister of Kenya has been lobbying neighbors like Uganda for votes, to become the next African Union Commission chairperson. The East African sources claim that both Kenyan politicians had requested to see the Ugandan leader, which resulted in the three-way meeting.

In a statement, President Museveni said that they spoke about issues of mutual interest and the EAC as a whole. “I was happy to meet President Ruto and Rt Hon Odinga this afternoon at my farm in Kisozi. We discussed issues of mutual interest between our two countries and the East African Community,” the Ugandan president said.

“We have agreed on a way forward of sourcing and scheduling imports for the region in a manner that will ensure we achieve the most competitive pricing and maximum logistical efficiency,” President Ruto stated in response.

Regarding the DRC crisis, President Museveni promised to support the Nairobi Process, which is headed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Kenya and Uganda are committed to deepening the long-established diplomatic and economic ties between our two countries. This relationship includes bringing all the seven East African Community nations closer in their ultimate goal to form the East African Political Federation,” President Ruto added.

Oil dispute between Kenya and Uganda

Kenya and Uganda have been dealing with an oil dispute since 2023. Uganda accused Kenya of making deals with foreign investors which negatively impacts the energy market in the region.

The dispute between both nations made Uganda opt for the Dar es Salaam port in the capital city of Tanzania as its entry point for its oil imports over Kenyan ports. Before this, a bill enabling Uganda National Oil Business (Unoc), a state-owned oil business, to buy and supply oil to Uganda's domestic market was passed by the Ugandan government.

Since the dispute began there have been legal actions taken and a reported loss of $200 million as a result of the rift.