Egypt-Uganda Talks Focus on Bilateral Relations, Water Security

Egypt's Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigration, Badr Abdelatty, met with Henry Okello Oryem, the Minister of International Relations of Uganda, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.

During the meeting, Abdelatty underscored the importance of strengthening economic and trade relations, boosting joint projects, and supporting Egypt's role in Uganda’s development through increased investments and the presence of Egyptian companies in Uganda. 

The ministers explored numerous promising areas of cooperation such as agriculture with modern irrigation techniques, medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturing, construction and building, food industries, new and renewable energy, electricity expertise transfer, combating harmful weeds in Lake Victoria and other Ugandan lakes, and vaccine production for both humans and animals.

A pivotal agreement was reached to hold joint political consultations involving the respective foreign ministers, which will include discussions on priority topics of mutual interest at both bilateral and regional levels with participation from the Ugandan Ministers of Water, Environment, and Trade.

On the critical issue of water security, the ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation in managing and developing water resources. They stressed the need for studying joint projects that could benefit all countries in the southern Nile basin, advocating for intensified collaboration between Egypt and Uganda in this domain. Abdelatty emphasized that water security is an existential issue for Egypt, highlighting the necessity of cooperation based on international law, particularly the principles of consensus, no harm, and prior notification.

The discussions also extensively covered regional issues affecting the area and the roles the two nations play in increasing joint cooperation and finding peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Somalia, and the Horn of Africa region. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of full support for the Somali state and its national institutions, as well as maintaining Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.