President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, arrived in Nairobi, Kenya for a high-level official visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations between Uganda and its eastern neighbor.
This marks President Museveni’s second official visit to Kenya since December 2024, underlining the growing strategic cooperation between Kampala and Nairobi.
Museveni is expected to meet with his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, for closed-door bilateral talks that will focus on regional security, trade facilitation, and the strengthening of cross-border community relations.
According to diplomatic sources, a key item on the agenda will be resolving cross-border conflicts involving nomadic pastoralist communities in the Karamoja–Sebei–Turkana corridor, which has long experienced cycles of insecurity, including cattle raids and violent clashes.
On Monday, July 28, Museveni met with Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Joash Maangi, at State House, Entebbe, where he proposed a traditional reconciliation approach to resolve deep-seated grievances among border communities.
“We cannot continue with seasonal migrations that cause conflict. We are human beings, not wild animals,” President Museveni remarked during the meeting, stressing the need for a shift from violent retaliation to peaceful resolution mechanisms.
He called on both governments to support traditional blood settlement ceremonies—customary processes that allow for forgiveness and healing in the aftermath of conflict, particularly when killings have occurred involving civilians and security personnel.
“Since the individuals responsible may not afford compensation, the governments and traditional leaders should come together and organize such a ceremony,” Museveni proposed.
The President also emphasized the need for long-term solutions such as planned settlements and irrigation-based agriculture, urging nomadic communities to transition from seasonal migration to stable livelihoods.
President Museveni’s visit signals a renewed commitment to regional stability, shared prosperity, and deeper economic integration under the East African Community (EAC) framework.
Trade, infrastructure development, and cross-border movement of goods and people are also expected to feature prominently in the bilateral discussions.
Both leaders are expected to address the media in a joint press briefing following their meeting.
