The Closest Sea to Uganda: The Indian Ocean (via Kenya)

Uganda is landlocked. It has no coastline. The nearest sea is the Indian Ocean, accessed via neighboring Kenya (or Tanzania).

Route to the Sea

• To Mombasa, Kenya (Indian Ocean): ~1,150 km (715 mi) by road from Kampala; ~24–30 hours truck transit. Main trade corridor (Northern Corridor).
• To Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Indian Ocean): ~1,450 km (900 mi); alternative corridor (Central Corridor).

The Arabian Sea is a northwestern arm of the Indian Ocean (bordering Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, India). It is not the closest sea to Uganda—the Indian Ocean proper (off Kenya/Tanzania) is closer geographically and logistically.

Uganda's economy depends heavily on these transit routes for imports/exports. The Kampala–Mombasa railway and pipeline projects aim to reduce transport costs.