Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has arrived in Cairo for an official visit at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening Uganda–Egypt relations and advancing regional cooperation on the Nile.
Museveni, who was warmly received upon arrival, said he looked forward to “engaging with His Excellency Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on ways to foster our bilateral ties.”
The visit comes less than a week after the Ugandan leader hosted Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdellaty, at State House Entebbe for high-level discussions on Nile Basin sustainability and development.
During the Entebbe meeting that discussed the River Nile, Museveni stressed that the greatest threats to the water body are not necessarily geopolitical disputes, but environmental degradation and underdevelopment in upstream countries.
He cited deforestation caused by communities lacking access to electricity and “primitive agriculture” as key dangers to the river’s long-term health.
“All stakeholding countries of the Nile must engage in high-level discussions on how best to utilise the Nile without jeopardising its existence,” he urged.
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Although details of the talks have not been revealed, it is expected that the Cairo engagements are expected to build on those discussions, with water resource management, climate resilience, and infrastructure development likely to feature prominently.
Analysts say Egypt views Uganda as a strategic partner in Nile diplomacy, both for its upstream position and for Museveni’s longstanding advocacy for African-led solutions to transboundary challenges.
The nile has generated buzz in the recent days with Ethiopia’s announcement that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is now complete and will be inaugurated in September.
While Ethiopia insists the dam poses no threat to downstream nations, Egypt has expressed concerns over its impact on water security.
Uganda, for its part, has expressed readiness to help promote dialogue among all Nile Basin nations to avoid conflict and ensure equitable benefit-sharing.
President Museveni’s meeting with el-Sisi is expected to produce a renewed commitment to joint projects, deepen security cooperation, and reinforce the principle that the Nile should be a source of unity and prosperity for all who depend on it.
