By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
NATIONAL
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday 13th May, 2026 held bilateral talks with the President of Egypt, H.E Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at State House, Entebbe aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, industrialization, renewable energy, fish farming and sustainable management of the River Nile.
President El-Sisi, on an official visit, was accompanied by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Prof. Hani Sewilam.
The discussions also focused on strengthening the longstanding relations between Uganda and Egypt, regional peace and security, economic transformation and water resource management.
President Museveni welcomed President El-Sisi to Uganda and called for practical cooperation aimed at addressing poverty and accelerating socio-economic transformation, highlighting environmental degradation, particularly the encroachment on wetlands, as one of the challenges affecting the Nile Basin, saying many people invade wetlands in search of land for agriculture due to population pressure and limited economic opportunities.
He proposed large-scale fish farming projects as part of the solution, saying aquaculture would create jobs, protect wetlands and increase export earnings.
“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 poverty, and subsistence agriculture while also protecting the wetlands,” said President Museveni.
President El-Sisi congratulated President Museveni upon his recent election victory and commended him for what he described as balanced and visionary leadership.
“The world today is often driven by interests rather than justice and values, but Your Excellency continues to demonstrate wisdom and balance in leadership,” President El-Sisi said.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development agenda, particularly in fish farming, renewable energy, industrialization and value addition. He said Egypt would work with Uganda to establish modern fish farming projects and mobilise Egyptian investors to invest in Uganda’s aquaculture sector.
On industrialization, the Egyptian President urged African countries to focus on value addition instead of exporting raw materials. He cited sectors such as iron ore, copper, leather, meat processing and fruit processing as areas with enormous potential for industrial growth and export earnings.
President El-Sisi also invited President Museveni to attend the African Business Forum scheduled to take place in Egypt in June 2026.
