Museveni: My eyes are still on Migingo

President Museveni called Kenyan journalists to Kampala to deny the Lake Victoria Island he was referring to when he said it was Kenya’s but the water Uganda’s was Migingo.
Museveni also used the invitation to maintain his country’s ownership claim of Migingo, and to declare he was not about to apologise for his "Wajaruo are mad’ remark.
Instead, he said, Lands Minister James Orengo who he said called his citizens ‘hyenas’ owes his country

A joint Kenya/Uganda survey team is establishing ownership of the Migingo island.

an apology, and the youth who uprooted part of the Uganda-Kenya railway line in Kibera during post-election violence.
The Ugandan President made the remarks that infuriated Kenyans, with Parliament calling for either military intervention or the UN, while in Tanzania.
Yesterday, Museveni said his statement had been blown out of proportion and called for patience from citizens of the two countries as surveyors sorted out the dispute.
President Museveni argued his speech in Tanzania referred to Suba Island, which he said was in Kenya, but its surrounding waters were in Uganda.
His latest statement will certainly elicit sharp reactions from leaders, as the Ugandan leader seemed to change his initial position that he meant the disputed Migingo Island during the address on Monday.
He said Kenyans owed Ugandans an apology for blocking roads during post-election violence and for recently uprooting a railway line between the two countries.

Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

"I am being asked to apologise while Kenyans uprooted a railway line and blocked roads. They are the ones together with Lands Minister Orengo who should first apologise then I see whether I should do the same," he said.
Uproot Railway Line
He also downplayed remarks he made in Tanzania saying he never meant to soil the good relationship with Kenya. "I never intended to hurt anybody but if you want me to apologise I will but if you could convince me that I was wrong. I was reacting to a question on the tendency of the Luo youth to uproot the railway line and leaders’ outbursts on Migingo," he told an International Press conference in Kampala.
He said he never intended to denigrate any community, adding the Migingo issue was being blown out of proportion. He clarified his country had no issue with Kenya and promised to abide by the findings of the joint survey team.
"Uganda has contributed its share towards the demarcation and the survey currently under way and we would accept the findings. But as far as I know, the island is in Kenya while its surrounding waters are ours," said the Ugandan President.
Both Kenya and Uganda have contributed Sh280 million for the survey.
Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula on Thursday told Parliament Kenya would be identifying all its boundaries as directed by the African Union.
President Museveni, who called a press conference at his Kampala State House, denied there was bad blood between him and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He said he respected the Odinga family recalling Raila’s father once led the East African Union that rallied regional leaders in the fight for liberation.
"I have no differences with Raila. We do occasionally talk on telephone and whenever I am in Nairobi we consult," said Museveni.
Asked to comment why he rushed to congratulate President Kibaki despite the election dispute, Museveni said he was merely going by the results announced by the disbanded electoral body. He said his decision was in line with international practice.
Museveni, who fielded questions from Kenyan journalists, declined to comment on the Grand Coalition Government terming the issue a Kenyan internal affair.
Asked why even after admitting that Migingo Island is basically a Kenyan fishermen’s outpost, he had continued to station military officers on the Island, Museveni said: "Even after we agreed with President Kibaki to lower our flag, there was need to retain the officers there for security reasons."
Museveni said it was his desire to see East Africa realise its dream of becoming a united entity, with one president and currency.
He said it did not bother him who would become the first regional president, but said he was committed to the dream.
Commenting on the presence of Ugandan soldiers along the Kenya-Uganda borders in Turkana and Pokot districts, Museveni said this was as a result of cattle resulting.
"Our soldiers are there to deal with cattle rustlers and their Kenyan counterparts are aware of their activities."
He denied he was an expansionist. "We know our international boundaries and we will always respect them. We are not out to claim new territory," he said.