Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe on Monday to discuss concerns over water security and strengthening bilateral relations. Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, also participated in the meeting.
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s concerns about the Nile and emphasized the importance of adhering to international law regarding shared water resources. He also reiterated Egypt's rejection of unilateral actions in the Nile Basin and stated that Egypt would take all necessary steps under international law to safeguard its water security.
“The Nile’s waters are critical for Egypt,” Abdelatty said. Sewilam underscored that respecting international law is key to fostering cooperation among all Nile Basin countries for mutual benefit.
During the meeting, Abdelatty, delivering greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, proposed creating a joint Egyptian-Ugandan business council to increase investment in sectors like construction, energy, and pharmaceuticals. He also emphasized the potential for joint projects through a new financing mechanism by Egypt to support development in southern Nile Basin countries.
The discussion also covered regional security, including the Horn of Africa and counter-terrorism efforts. President Museveni sent his greetings to President Sisi and reiterated Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
In a separate meeting, Abdelatty and Sewilam met with Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, to discuss economic cooperation and regional security. Abdelatty also delivered agricultural equipment and light transport vehicles to a Ugandan NGO that supports youth and small-scale farmers.