Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
“The Nile River is an existential issue for Egypt,” Abdelatty said during a meeting in the Ugandan city of Entebbe, attended also by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam.
Abdelatty’s remarks come as Ethiopia plans to inaugurate its disputed dam – built on the Nile River and known as GERD – in September despite a lack of agreement with downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan.
Cairo and Khartoum, while not opposed to Ethiopia’s development aims, have repeatedly criticized Addis Ababa’s unilateral actions after it filled the dam in five stages between 2020 and 2024
Abdelatty also addressed Egypt’s concerns regarding the Nile River and its water security, reaffirming the state’s position, which is firmly based on the need to abide by the rules of international law regarding shared water resources.
He emphasised the importance of cooperation to achieve mutual benefit based on international legal principles, while firmly rejecting any unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin that violate international law.
Additionally, Minister Sewilam emphasised that respect for international law on the Nile River is the foundation for constructive cooperation that benefits all Nile Basin countries.
Abdelatty also expressed Egypt’s aspiration to enhance regional integration and cooperation among Nile Basin countries in a way that strengthens fraternal ties and supports development across the African continent.
Egyptian-Ugandan ties
During the meeting, Abdelatty underlined the importance of enhancing economic relations and increasing trade exchange between the two countries.
The Egyptian FM also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between Egyptian and Ugandan companies, particularly through public-private partnerships in key sectors such as agriculture and energy.
Furthermore, the discussions covered potential joint projects to be implemented through the newly established Egyptian mechanism to support development in the southern Nile Basin countries.
On his part, the Ugandan president emphasised his country's eagerness to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Egypt, highlighting the historical ties that bind the two nations.
Earlier on Monday, Abdelatty arrived in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to participate in the second round of the (2+2) consultations between the Egyptian and Ugandan foreign ministers, following the first round in Cairo in December 2024.
He also held a bilateral meeting with his Ugandan counterpart, Henry Oryem Okello.
Last week, Abdelatty conducted a West African tour that included Chad, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Senegal.
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