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By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, industrialisation, renewable energy, fish farming and the sustainable management of the River Nile following high-level talks at State House Entebbe.
President El-Sisi, who is on an official visit to Uganda, was accompanied by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam.
The two leaders held extensive discussions on strengthening the longstanding relationship between Uganda and Egypt, with particular focus on economic transformation, regional peace and security, and water resource management.
President Museveni welcomed his Egyptian counterpart and emphasized the need for practical partnerships that can help Uganda tackle poverty and accelerate socio-economic transformation.
Among the key proposals raised by the Ugandan leader was large-scale fish farming, which he said would create jobs, increase export earnings and reduce environmental degradation caused by encroachment on wetlands.
“The biggest help I want from you is fish farming. Fish is in high demand globally and this project can help our people move out of subsistence agriculture while also protecting the wetlands,” President Museveni said.
He noted that one of the major characteristics of underdevelopment in Africa is the heavy dependence on low-productivity agriculture. Uganda, he said, is pursuing a strategy of moving more people into manufacturing and services to reduce pressure on land and raise household incomes.
President Museveni also underscored the central role of electricity and renewable energy in driving industrialisation and economic growth.
President El-Sisi congratulated President Museveni on his recent election victory and praised his leadership, describing it as balanced and visionary.
“The world today is often driven by interests rather than justice and values, but Your Excellency continues to demonstrate wisdom and balance in leadership,” El-Sisi said.
The Egyptian leader reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development priorities, particularly in aquaculture, renewable energy, industrialisation and value addition.
He announced that Egypt would work with Uganda to establish modern fish farming projects and mobilise Egyptian investors to participate in Uganda’s aquaculture sector. Egypt also pledged to encourage private sector investment in Uganda’s renewable energy industry.
On industrialisation, El-Sisi urged African countries to prioritize processing raw materials locally rather than exporting them in unprocessed form.
“The global market is thirsty for these products. Africa must process its raw materials and agricultural products to create jobs and generate more income,” he said.
He cited iron ore, copper, leather, meat processing and fruit processing as sectors with significant potential for industrial growth and export earnings.
To strengthen trade and investment ties, President El-Sisi announced plans to establish a Joint Business Council between Uganda and Egypt. The initiative is expected to foster stronger private sector partnerships and unlock new commercial opportunities.
He also invited President Museveni to attend the African Business Forum scheduled to take place in Egypt in June 2026.
The two leaders also discussed security and stability in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Horn of Africa. They reaffirmed support for dialogue, African-led peace initiatives and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the Nile Basin, President El-Sisi said Egypt continues to face severe water scarcity, with per capita water availability falling below 500 cubic metres annually. He stressed Egypt’s commitment to cooperation and dialogue with other Nile Basin countries to ensure equitable and sustainable use of shared water resources.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the two presidents directed their institutions to implement agreements reached during President Museveni’s August 2025 visit to Egypt.
The communiqué highlighted expanded cooperation in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, water management and infrastructure development.
Egypt also reaffirmed its readiness to finance and mobilise funding for water-related infrastructure projects in Uganda through the Nile Development Fund.
Both countries agreed to enhance collaboration through regional and continental frameworks including the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, in line with Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Cabinet ministers and senior officials from both Uganda and Egypt attended the bilateral meeting.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/museveni-egypts-el-sisi-seal-deal-on-fish-farming-renewable-energy-nile-cooperation/
