Kenya’s closest neighbor is the Indian Ocean in the south east and Kenya’s neighbors also include Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Kenya and Uganda share a unique yet complex relationship. While the two countries have experienced close ties in the past, due to their shared colonial history under British rule as well as cultural and linguistic similarities, they have also had their fair share of conflicts and disputes.
Kenya and Uganda’s shared border has been one of the main areas of contention between these two neighbouring countries. Migingo island, Lake Victoria located at the border between Kenya and Uganda covers less than half a football pitch but remains heavily contested by Kenya and Uganda which both claim ownership. One reason why Migingo island is so heavily contested is the fact that the island is a valuable fishing hub, considering that many of the waters around Lake Victoria have suffered from overfishing over the years. In 2016, Kenya’s neighbor Uganda and the Kenyan government at the time decided to create a joint committee and today the island remains co-managed by both countries with tensions occasionally flaring.
Kenya and Uganda also have a strong partnership when it comes to tourism. Both countries have a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, and they are often marketed as combined destinations for tourists. This has led to increased tourism between the two countries, with many tourists visiting both Kenya and Uganda during their trip.
Both countries have served as key mediators and peacekeepers for other regional conflicts. Kenya has been a valuable contributor in Somalia by sending peacekeeping troops to help the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Likewise, Uganda has tried to act as a mediator and peacekeeper for other regional conflicts such as the civil war in South Sudan.
Kenya’s relationship with neighbouring Uganda is ultimately marked by a long and complex history of cooperation and competition. Their claims to Migingo Island have been a source of tension over the years, but it has been peacefully managed in recent years, dismissing claims that the island is “Africa’s smallest war” as some have described it as.
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