The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has called for a shift from historical disputes toward a development-driven strategy to address challenges in the Nile Basin, emphasizing that Africa’s future depends on expanding electricity access, industrialization, and regional integration.
Museveni made the remarks during a lecture delivered to a delegation from Egypt’s military staff college at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, attended by Egyptian officials including Ambassador Monzer Selim and Major General Khaled El-Nahrawy.
Critique of Historical Agreements
The Ugandan leader criticized the continued focus on colonial-era agreements governing the waters of the Nile River, arguing that such debates distract from the real drivers of the crisis.
He stressed that the core issue lies in underdevelopment in upstream countries, particularly the lack of electricity, which forces communities to rely heavily on natural resources.
Energy and Industrialization as Solutions
Museveni highlighted that dependence on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal accelerates environmental degradation and threatens water systems.
He argued that limited industrialization pushes populations toward unsustainable agricultural expansion into forests and wetlands, underscoring that industrial growth is essential to easing environmental pressure.
He also pointed to climate change as a contributing factor, noting its impact on rainfall patterns and water availability, driven largely by emissions from industrialized nations.
Declining Water Flows and Strategic Vision
Museveni revealed that water flows from Uganda into South Sudan have declined significantly—from around 60 billion cubic meters in the 1960s to approximately 40 billion today.
He called for a comprehensive master plan for the Nile Basin centered on energy expansion and industrial development to ensure sustainable resource management.
Drawing a comparison, he noted that while the Nile carries about 85 billion cubic meters at Khartoum, the Congo River holds vastly greater potential, which could transform Africa’s energy landscape if stability and cooperation are achieved.
Strengthening Egypt-Uganda Cooperation
For his part, Egyptian Major General Khaled El-Nahrawy praised Uganda’s hospitality and the insights shared during the visit, highlighting the importance of strengthening ties between Egypt and Uganda.
He also noted the delegation’s visit to Jinja, the source region of the Nile, emphasizing the river’s shared strategic importance and the need for deeper African cooperation.