Cairo: The third round of ministerial (2+2) consultations between Egypt and Uganda commenced on April 1, 2026, co-chaired by Egyptian ministers Badr Abdelatty and Hani Sewilam, alongside Uganda's State Ministers Henry Oryem Okello and Beatrice Atim. The discussions focused on reinforcing bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation within the Nile Basin, and aligning positions on regional and international issues.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the joint statement following the consultations emphasized directives from Presidents Abdel Fattah El Sisi of Egypt and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda. The two nations, united by the Nile River, are committed to continuing high-level consultations to bolster cooperation on bilateral and regional matters, building on the outcomes of previous rounds held in December 2024 and August 2025.
During the visit from April 1 to 2, 2026, the Ugandan delegation engaged in discussions on bilateral relations and shared perspectives on regional developments affecting the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Great Lakes region. Both sides reiterated their adherence to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, in accordance with the African Union's Constitutive Act and the United Nations Charter.
The consultations reviewed the progress of President Museveni's visit to Egypt in August 2025, aiming to activate projects based on existing agreements. These include collaborations in water resource management, diplomacy, counterterrorism, agriculture, and other sectors. Both countries agreed to advance regional economic development and integration, supporting Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through frameworks like COMESA, AfCFTA, the African Union, and the United Nations.
The discussions also highlighted the commitment to implement the memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in water resources management, accelerating projects to support sustainable development in Uganda. Cooperation initiatives will be supported by various Egyptian and Ugandan institutions, focusing on capacity building and infrastructure projects to benefit both countries.
The talks included an agreement to encourage private sector engagement to increase trade and investments, following the Egypt-Uganda Business Forum's outcomes. Progress in the Nile Basin Initiative, aimed at fostering consensus and cooperation among member states, was also welcomed.
Finally, both parties agreed to hold the next (2+2) ministerial consultations in Uganda in late 2026, along with the third session of the Egypt-Uganda Joint Ministerial Committee in Kampala in August 2026.