President Yoweri Museveni met with Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, at State House Entebbe on Wednesday, where the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between their countries. The talks focused on cross-border relations, security, and trade, with both sides acknowledging the deep historical ties between Uganda and Kenya while addressing ongoing challenges.

One of the key issues discussed was the situation around Migingo Island, a small but contentious piece of land in Lake Victoria claimed by both nations. President Museveni expressed satisfaction with Kenya’s recent efforts to ease tensions in the area, saying, “We are happy to preserve it for mutual benefit.” He commended the steps taken by Kenyan authorities to reduce conflicts over arrests and local enforcement near the island.

High Commissioner Maangi reported that he had recently visited Migingo with a delegation and held talks with local leaders, which helped calm tensions. “We took note of the issues, and we believe we resolved many of the outstanding concerns through dialogue,” he said.

Another major topic was the recurring clashes between nomadic pastoralist communities along the Uganda-Kenya border, particularly in the Karamoja, Sebei, and Turkana regions. President Museveni strongly criticized the traditional practice of seasonal cattle migrations, which often lead to violent conflicts over grazing land and water.

“We cannot continue with seasonal migrations that cause conflict. We are human beings, not wild animals,” he said. Instead, he urged communities to adopt permanent settlements and modern farming methods, pointing to Israel’s success in turning arid land into productive farms through irrigation.

“This nomadism is a result of ancient backwardness. We must tame nature, not surrender to it,” Museveni emphasized.

To heal past wounds, the President proposed a traditional reconciliation ceremony for families affected by clashes involving security forces. “In our cultures, we have ceremonies for blood settlement where someone is forgiven upon compensation. Since the individuals responsible may not afford it, the governments and traditional leaders should come together and organize such a ceremony in Moroto,” he suggested.

High Commissioner Maangi acknowledged that Kenyan communities had been slower to embrace peace-building efforts compared to their Ugandan counterparts but assured that progress was being made. “Our people were not fully sensitized like the Ugandan communities, but we have started making progress. Slowly, the message is being understood,” he said.

The Kenyan envoy also shared updates on his recent inspections of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in Busia and Suam, which are meant to facilitate faster trade between the two nations. He admitted that some inefficiencies on the Kenyan side had been identified and were being corrected.

“We discovered some laxity on our side and immediately engaged our officials. Uganda is our biggest trading partner, and we won’t allow any disruptions to that relationship,” Maangi said.

He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community’s integration goals, promising to ensure smoother movement of goods and people across borders. “The issues raised today will be addressed with urgency,” he added.

Before concluding the meeting, High Commissioner Maangi delivered warm greetings from Kenyan President William Ruto and reiterated Kenya’s appreciation for the strong partnership with Uganda.

The discussions highlighted both the progress and the remaining challenges in Uganda-Kenya relations. While Migingo Island tensions appear to be easing, the deeper issues of cross-border conflicts and trade inefficiencies require continued dialogue and joint action.

President Museveni’s push for modern farming as an alternative to nomadic pastoralism could be a long-term solution to violence in the region. Meanwhile, Kenya’s willingness to address border trade bottlenecks signals a commitment to keeping East Africa’s economic engine running smoothly.

As both nations work to resolve these issues, the meeting served as a reminder that cooperation—not confrontation—is the best way forward for neighboring countries with shared histories and intertwined futures.