President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for a new chapter in economic cooperation between Uganda and Egypt, urging for increased trade and investment flows between the two Nile-linked nations.
Speaking at the Egypt–Uganda Business Forum in Cairo, which he attended alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Museveni said the $133 million annual trade volume between the countries was “far below” the potential of their historical relationship.
“I couldn’t come to Egypt without seeking opportunities for wealth. Egypt and Uganda have been connected by the Nile since time immemorial, yet our trade remains low,” Museveni told delegates. “What we lack, and what Egypt can help us attain, is investment capital and entrepreneurship.”
He outlined his country’s economic trajectory, attributing sustained growth to a deliberate integration of philosophy, ideology, and economic strategy. However, he said Uganda still requires “further reinforcement” through strategic bilateral partnerships.
He proposed that Uganda and Egypt adopt a two-way trade model — with Uganda purchasing goods from Egypt, Egypt buying from Uganda, and both nations leveraging these exchanges to tap into the wider African market.
The forum brought together business leaders, investors, and policymakers from both countries to explore opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Museveni’s message was clear: the Nile should not only be a river of shared heritage, but also a channel for mutual prosperity.
