President Yoweri Museveni and his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, have held discussions on how to deepen bilateral trade, investment, and industrialization.
Meeting in the State House in Entebbe, Uganda, the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, industrialization, renewable energy, commercial fish farming, and the sustainable management of the River Nile.
In his remarks, President Museveni said Uganda’s strategy is to transition more people into manufacturing and services to reduce pressure on land and increase household incomes.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of electricity and renewable energy in driving industrialization and economic growth. He proposed the establishment of large-scale fish farming projects.
“The biggest help I want from you (Egypt) is fish farming. Fish is in high demand globally, and this project can help our people move out of subsistence agriculture while also protecting the environment”, said President Museveni.
Uganda has vast investment opportunities in the aquaculture sector in Uganda.
On his part, President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development agenda, particularly in fish farming, renewable energy, industrialization, and value addition.
President El-Sisi said Egypt would work with Uganda to establish modern fish farming projects and mobilise Egyptian investors to invest in Uganda’s aquaculture sector. He also pledged support in renewable energy development, saying Egyptian investments and expertise would be encouraged in Uganda’s energy sector.
On industrialization, President El-Sisi urged African countries to focus on value addition instead of exporting raw materials. He cited sectors such as iron ore, copper, leather, meat processing, and fruit processing as areas with enormous potential for industrial growth and export earnings.
A communique issued after the talks stated that Egypt reaffirmed its readiness to finance and mobilise funding for water-related infrastructure projects in Uganda through the Nile Development Fund.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation under regional and continental frameworks such as the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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