Yoweri Museveni and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi pledged closer cooperation on management of the River Nile, trade and regional peace efforts during talks in Kampala on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over water security and instability across parts of Africa and the Middle East.
According to a statement from the Ugandan presidency, the two leaders discussed challenges facing the Nile Basin, including environmental degradation, regional conflicts and the need for sustainable use of shared resources.
Museveni said encroachment on wetlands remained one of the major environmental threats affecting the Nile Basin, blaming population pressure and limited economic opportunities for increased settlement and farming activities in protected areas.
The Ugandan leader proposed large-scale fish farming projects as a possible solution, saying aquaculture could help generate employment, protect wetlands and boost export revenues.
“El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s readiness to cooperate with Uganda in establishing modern fish farming projects and encouraging Egyptian investors to participate in Uganda’s aquaculture sector,” the statement said.
The River Nile remains a critical source of water and economic activity for several African countries, with longstanding tensions over access and usage rights among states along the basin.
Egypt has repeatedly raised concerns over water security as upstream countries pursue irrigation and hydroelectric projects that Cairo fears could reduce downstream flows.
El-Sisi said Egypt was facing acute water scarcity, noting that annual per capita water availability had fallen below 500 cubic metres.
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He stressed that Cairo remained committed to dialogue and cooperation with countries within the Nile Basin framework and called for sustainable and equitable use of shared water resources.
The discussions also focused on regional security and conflicts affecting Africa and the Middle East.
The two leaders called for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic solutions to crises in Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
They also discussed tensions involving Iran and the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
According to the statement, the leaders reaffirmed support for African-led peace initiatives, dialogue and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Regional security in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region has become an increasing concern for African governments amid continuing armed conflicts, humanitarian crises and political instability.
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Uganda has played a prominent role in regional peacekeeping and mediation efforts, particularly in Somalia and South Sudan, while Egypt has sought to strengthen political and economic ties across East Africa in recent years.
The meeting comes as countries along the Nile continue efforts to manage competing demands for water, energy and agricultural development against the backdrop of climate change and rapid population growth.
Analysts say cooperation between upstream and downstream Nile Basin states will remain crucial in preventing future disputes over water access and ensuring long-term regional stability.
