State House, Entebbe – August 4, 2025
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday hosted the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdellaty, and his delegation at State House Entebbe for a high-level discussion focused on the future of the Nile River.
The talks centered around the sustainable use and long-term preservation of the Nile, which remains a vital lifeline for multiple nations in the region.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of cooperation among all Nile Basin countries, urging them to engage in serious dialogue that promotes equitable and environmentally responsible use of the river.
“The problem of the Nile is not the water itself, but the lack of electricity in the tropics,” President Museveni said. “Communities like the Fellahin end up using trees for cooking, destroying the biomass, which disrupts rain patterns and ultimately threatens the Nile.”
He further pointed to the dangers of traditional, low-productivity agricultural practices, which he described as unsustainable. “Primitive agriculture puts unnecessary strain on our ecosystems. We must modernize farming to reduce pressure on natural resources.”
The President called for collaborative regional investment in renewable energy and modern agricultural methods to not only protect the Nile but also improve livelihoods.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and working closely through regional platforms such as the Nile Basin Initiative to ensure responsible stewardship of the river.
The Egyptian delegation’s visit signals a continued strengthening of relations between Uganda and Egypt, particularly in areas of environmental conservation, energy, and sustainable development.
