President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s three-day working state visit to Egypt has paved the way for deeper economic cooperation between the two Nile-linked nations, with both leaders committing to strengthening trade, investment, and sectoral partnerships.
Arriving in Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President Museveni was received at Cairo International Airport by Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam, and Uganda’s delegation led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem.
Over the course of the visit, the two Heads of State presided over high-level bilateral talks, witnessed the signing of landmark agreements, and addressed the Egypt–Uganda Business Forum.
Despite centuries of geographical and historical connection through the River Nile, Uganda and Egypt’s trade volume currently stands at just $133 million annually a figure both leaders agreed does not reflect the depth of their relationship.
President Museveni, addressing the business community in Cairo, stressed that the partnership should focus on mutual production, trade, and job creation.
He called for an increase in intra-African trade, warning against over-reliance on European markets, and urged leaders to view the Nile as a shared asset that can support irrigation, energy, and agricultural productivity across Basin countries.
The Ugandan leader further noted that what his country needs, and what Egypt can help provide, is investment capital and entrepreneurship to unlock more value from Uganda’s natural and human resources.
During the visit, Uganda and Egypt signed a series of strategic agreements covering governance, trade, agriculture, water management, and rural development.
These included a trade and investment promotion pact aimed at expanding business opportunities and joint ventures, a partnership to enhance agricultural technology transfer and land reclamation, and a cooperation agreement on water resource management, irrigation development, and environmental protection.
The two countries also formalized frameworks to strengthen political dialogue, security cooperation, and regional coordination.
The Egypt–Uganda Business Forum served as a key platform for investors, government officials, and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, and agribusiness.
President Museveni emphasized Uganda’s strategic location as a gateway to the Great Lakes region and its untapped potential in agriculture, minerals, and industry.
He highlighted Egypt’s advanced manufacturing capacity and capital availability as critical drivers for Uganda’s next phase of growth, noting that the integration of Egypt’s investment power with Uganda’s resource base and market access could boost both economies under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
While economic cooperation took centre stage, the two leaders also addressed the strategic importance of the Nile River. President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to upholding international law, promoting equitable water sharing, and supporting Uganda’s role in fostering agreements among Basin countries.
For President Museveni, the Nile is not only a historical link but also a natural trade corridor to the Mediterranean one that could redefine Uganda’s connectivity if political instability in Sudan is resolved.
With the political will in place and multiple agreements signed, Uganda and Egypt are now positioned to grow their trade far beyond the current $133 million. Both nations have set their sights on capital investment, industrial development, agricultural modernisation, and regional market integration.
As President Museveni remarked at the business forum, prosperity will come when the two countries commit to producing, trading, creating jobs, and supporting each other’s economies in a balanced and mutually beneficial way.
