Uganda is our top priority - Egypt envoy
Egypt ambassador to Uganda Ahmed Abdel (right) is joined by State minister for Veteran Affairs Bright Rwamirama (left), Minister for Presidency Ester Mbayo (2nd left), Minister for Energy Irene Muloni (3rd left) and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem (2nd right) during Egypt Day celebration at the ambassador’s residence in Kampala on Friday. PHOTO: STEPHEN WANDERA
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At the commemoration of the revolution on Friday, Ambassador Mostafa said the celebration, attended by government officials, Egyptian community, businessmen and members of the Diplomatic Corp, cemented the African unity
KAMPALA. The Egyptian government has said Uganda is its top most priority in international relations with other countries.
The outgoing Egyptian ambassador Ahmed Aziz Mostafa, talked to the Sunday Monitor, in an interview preceding the 64th commemoration of the 1952 Egyptian revolution on Friday, describing Uganda as “blood brother” and said regardless of whoever is in power in Cairo, their first preoccupation is to ensure their government is in “very good terms” with Kampala.
“Uganda is always an important partner, and has been like that since 1952,” he said and added the relations between the two countries have been reciprocal especially in trade, agriculture and water issues.
The balance of trade between the two countries grew from $58m in 2013 to $75m in 2015. He said the two countries will soon launch the Egypt-Uganda Commission, a forum for boosting trade and dialogue.
The 1952 revolution steered by former President Abdul Gamal Nasser was a turning point in the decolonisation efforts of nearly the entire continent; with his government providing both financial and moral support to anti-colonial forces between 1956 and 1970.
At the commemoration of the revolution on Friday, Ambassador Mostafa said the celebration, attended by government officials, Egyptian community, businessmen and members of the Diplomatic Corp, cemented the African unity.
State minister for International Relations Okello Oryem, said Uganda will continue to stand by Egypt, especially on matters of the River Nile, the world’s longest river spanning 4,132 miles through 10 countries.
