Egypt builds river protection walls in Uganda

CAIRO - 24 July 2018: In 2016, Uganda was subject to flash floods in the western region of Kasese, and Kampala; in the former, 1,000 citizens were displaced, while a number of buildings collapsed in the latter.

In the same year, Egypt and Uganda signed a memorandum of understanding to execute a flood protection project over Nyamwamba river in Kasese where the same disaster occurred in 2013, 2014, and 2017, causing landslides and subsequently huge losses.

At a cost of $2.7 million, the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation completed in one year the first phase that consists of purging the river and building concrete walls along its banks in four vital areas where two schools, one hospital, a factory, and a bridge are located. Preparations are underway for the second phase which will cost $1.8 million.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni visited Egypt in May upon an invitation by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in order to boost bilateral relations. The ministries of both countries signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the fields of electricity, agriculture, and the construction and management of industrial zones, including constructing a 4-megawatt solar power plant in Uganda.
Museveni also invited Sisi to visit his country as the first Egyptian president to see the Nile’s source (Victoria Lake) and discuss its needs; Sisi gladly accepted, promising to visit Uganda as soon as possible.

Both presidents affirmed during a joint press conference that they discussed a lot of issues of mutual interest regarding water security and Africa. Sisi asserted that he explained Egypt’s point of view about several issues regarding water security and he thanked his Ugandan counterpart for the historical visit.

In June 2017, Sisi visited Uganda to participate in the Nile Basin Summit; several talks were held between Sisi and his Ugandan counterpart on the sidelines of the summit. Sisi’s first presidential visit to Uganda was in December 2016, where the two leaders praised the long-historical relations between the two countries and affirmed that efforts will be exerted to enhance the two countries’ relations and cooperation.