Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni discussed Nile water issues and regional security during talks in Entebbe on Wednesday, as Cairo steps up coordination with Nile Basin countries amid ongoing tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The visit, which followed a trip by Museveni to Cairo several months ago, comes as Egypt seeks to strengthen political and economic ties with Nile Basin states in support of its water security strategy.
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi praised the growing momentum in relations with Uganda and called for broader cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, healthcare and training programs for Ugandan personnel.
He also stressed the importance of increasing trade and establishing sustainable investment partnerships.
Museveni described cooperation between the two countries as “a model for the desired integration among African states,” according to the statement. He also outlined Uganda’s Vision 2040 development plan and highlighted sectors where Kampala hopes to deepen cooperation with Cairo.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional crises, including conflicts in Sudan, Libya and the Palestinian territories, and emphasized the need for closer coordination on Nile and water-related issues.
Sisi called for neighboring countries to play a constructive role in restoring stability and achieving lasting peace across Africa, while Museveni stressed the importance of African-led solutions that take into account the continent’s particular circumstances and delicate balances.
Former Egyptian assistant foreign minister for African affairs Mona Omar said Egypt now viewed relations with Nile Basin countries as “an absolute priority,” including through investment, joint development projects and capacity-building initiatives.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Omar said Uganda held particular importance for Egypt because of historical ties and Cairo’s support for Uganda’s independence movement.
She said water cooperation was a central element of the visit, citing the long-standing presence of an Egyptian technical mission affiliated with Egypt’s irrigation ministry in Uganda.
The mission participates in Nile measurements and water-related projects, including efforts to clear invasive weeds from Lake Victoria to facilitate trade and navigation, she said.
Omar added that discussions also addressed the GERD dispute. She said Uganda does not oppose the construction of the dam but rejects causing harm to downstream countries, a stance Egypt appreciates.
Cairo is seeking broader consensus among Nile Basin countries on reaching a legally binding agreement governing the operation of the dam, which Ethiopia considers essential for development but Egypt and Sudan fear could reduce their water supplies.
The talks also touched on the Entebbe Agreement, a framework accord launched by Ethiopia in 2010 that would revise historical Nile water-sharing arrangements involving Egypt and Sudan.
Ethiopia announced in October 2024 that the agreement had entered into force after ratification by six countries — Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan — despite continued rejection by Egypt and Sudan.
Relations between Cairo and Kampala have gained momentum since Museveni’s visit to Egypt in August last year, during which several cooperation agreements were signed, Omar said.
She added that 65 Egyptian companies currently operate in Uganda in sectors including energy, infrastructure and food security, alongside cooperation in police and military training programs.
During his visit, Sisi renewed an invitation for Museveni to attend the African Union coordination summit to be hosted by Egypt in June 2026, as Uganda currently chairs the East African Community.
