President Museveni, Egyptian Foreign Minister Discuss Nile Cooperation at State House Entebbe
State House, Entebbe — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday hosted Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdellaty, and his delegation for high-level talks centered on the sustainable management and utilization of the River Nile.
During the meeting, the two leaders held in-depth discussions on key issues affecting the Nile and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all Nile Basin countries to safeguard the river’s future.
President Museveni noted that one of the primary threats to the Nile’s sustainability is the lack of electricity access across tropical regions. He pointed out that in the absence of modern energy sources, many communities—such as the Fellahin—resort to cutting down trees for cooking fuel, leading to biomass destruction, disrupted rainfall patterns, and long-term harm to the Nile ecosystem.
The President also highlighted the challenges posed by primitive agricultural practices, which he described as another significant danger to the river’s health.
In his remarks, Museveni called on all countries that share the Nile to initiate and participate in high-level discussions aimed at preserving the river while finding innovative ways to use its resources for mutual benefit without endangering its existence.
The visit by Dr. Abdellaty underscores the growing diplomatic engagement between Uganda and Egypt, particularly on issues of shared environmental and strategic concern.
