Kampala: During an official visit to the Republic of Uganda, Professor Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, inspected sites involved in the “Egyptian Project for Controlling Water Hyacinth in the Great Lakes of Uganda.” He reviewed the ongoing efforts under the sixth phase of the project.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Sweilem highlighted that the project is a response to the Ugandan government’s request to address the water hyacinth blockage at Lake Kyoga’s outlet. This blockage has caused rising water levels and displaced thousands of residents from nearby villages. The sixth phase, initiated on 1 November 2023 in Cairo, was signed during the “Sixth Cairo Water Week” with $3 million in funding from Egypt, to be executed over three years as a grant to Uganda.

Dr. Sweilem noted that the project has successfully removed water hyacinth from lake outlets, reducing flood risks and safeguarding nearby villages and towns. The initiative also improved local fishing conditions by developing a river port and establishing a fish market in Kamonga. The removed water hyacinth is utilized as biomass fuel by the local population. Additionally, the “Flood Risk Mitigation Project in Kasesse District, Western Uganda” has protected citizens and property from floods, created jobs, improved fishing conditions, and safeguarded agricultural lands.

The ongoing work plan involves regular maintenance to clear outlets of Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, and the Kagera River’s mouth. The plan also includes further developing the Kamonga river port and fish market, with a current execution rate of approximately 16%. These efforts continue the agreement between Egypt and Uganda dating back to 1999, which includes an Egyptian grant for the project.

Dr. Sweilem also met with the engineers of the Egyptian irrigation mission in Uganda to evaluate the mission’s work and current bilateral cooperation projects. He discussed future visions for deepening cooperation with Uganda and reviewed the mission’s tasks in water measurement and project supervision, providing technical support to Uganda.

Dr. Sweilem commended the Egyptian irrigation mission’s role in strengthening cooperation between Egypt and Uganda in water resources and irrigation, a collaboration dating back to the Owen Falls Dam’s establishment, aiming to foster development for Nile Basin countries.