Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel-Aati met Ugandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello in Cairo on Wednesday. The talks focused on ways to boost cooperation and coordination on shared issues.
Minister Abdel-Aati congratulated Uganda on President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election and his new role as chair of the East African Community. He praised the strong historic ties between Egypt and Uganda and highlighted the progress made since Museveni’s visit to Cairo in August 2025. He stressed Egypt’s commitment to expand political and economic relations.
He underlined Egypt’s interest in trade, investment, and infrastructure projects in Uganda. He pointed to opportunities in energy, water management, and pharmaceuticals. He also voiced appreciation for the support Egyptian companies receive in Uganda. Minister Abdel Aaty mentioned the medical centre in Jinja, developed with Egypt’s partnership agency, and called for the establishment of a joint business council to boost trade. He also welcomed more cultural and educational cooperation between both countries, including scholarships and university partnerships, with Al-Azhar programmes helping build skills.
On water security, Abdel-Aati stressed the importance of cooperation on the Nile to ensure shared benefits. He praised Uganda’s role in leading consultations under the Nile Basin Initiative and urged consensus to avoid unilateral actions.
The two ministers also discussed regional issues. In this respect, Minister Abdel Aaty briefed Okello on Egypt’s efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East and end the war in Gaza. They also reviewed developments in the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes, Sudan, and Somalia, and emphasised the importance of securing the Red Sea.
