Egypt, Uganda activate $6 million water management MOU

Egypt and Uganda have stepped up cooperation in water resources management with the activation of a $6 million memorandum of understanding and discussions on new development projects in the Southern Nile Basin, the Egyptian irrigation ministry said Thursday.

Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Swailem met with Uganda’s Minister of State for Environment Beatrice Atim Adwong Anywar to explore ways to enhance bilateral ties in the water sector, citing the countries’ historic and fraternal relations.

Swailem emphasised Egypt’s ongoing commitment to supporting development across Nile Basin states and promoting cooperation with African partners.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed outcomes from the Egyptian-Ugandan Joint Steering Committee meetings held in Cairo on 30-31 March and signed the official minutes. The MOU, originally signed during the visit of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to Egypt in August 2025, includes projects to construct water reservoirs, drill new wells, convert existing wells to solar power, and provide training for Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment staff.

The discussions also covered additional projects to be financed through Egypt’s $100 million development fund for the Southern Nile Basin, aimed at supporting infrastructure and sustainable development initiatives.

Bilateral cooperation between the two nations dates back to 1949, when Egypt helped fund Uganda’s Owen Falls Dam. Since then, Egypt has supported numerous projects, including the long-running Water Hyacinth Control Project, river and fishery infrastructure improvements, groundwater and rainwater harvesting initiatives, and flood mitigation efforts in Kasese, enhancing environmental, economic, and social conditions in Uganda.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English