Egypt-Uganda ties continue to progress

Mr Sallam is the Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda. COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

Priority is cooperation. Egypt believes in sharing its resources and expertise with its fellow African nations. In this regard, development cooperation has always been a priority of our friendly relations.

The July 23 revolution is not only remembered by the Egyptian people, but also by the hearts and souls of all freedom fighters across Africa, those who pursued freedom and independence during the last century, and who are now together with their children and grandchildren witnessing their countries free and liberated.

Sixty-six years ago, young enthusiastic Egyptian officers leading Gamal Abdel Nasser, decided on July 23, 1952 to react to the frustration of the majority of Egyptians as a result of political, economic and social turmoil. The movement of the free officers declared the republic and announced a new era in Egypt. The movement inspired and helped many African countries to obtain their independence and uphold their African values, traditions, and will of its people.
It is our pride to remember that leading figures in Africa such as Nelson Mandela, [Kwamwe] Nkrumah and [Milton] Obote, among many others, resided in Egypt as their second home, and found back then the support to their noble endeavours.

As they say history tends to repeat itself, I truly believe that on June 30, 2013 good history reoccurred as the Egyptian people recalled their will to get rid of extremism and hatred, they reunited once again with its patriotic army demanding the protection of Egypt’s identity, the identity that has always incorporated tolerance and openness to all religions and cultures.

Since that date, Egypt has been witnessing crucial changes to build a strong, coherent society, and to lay the foundations for a solid, diverse economy.

African identity: Guided by the legacy of the past, Egypt reemphasised its African identity, and is currently investing heavily and sincerely in the development of its African neighbours. It is no wonder that Uganda has a special position in such attention, given the fact that such attention started 60 years ago, when Egypt collaborated in building the Owen Falls Dam, aiming at supplying more energy and electricity in Uganda.

Egypt’s commitment to Uganda’s stability and prosperity is currently demonstrated in the significantly strong political ties between President Abdel Fatah El Sisi and his brother President Yoweri Museveni. As the two presidents exchanged three visits in just one year, the latest of which was President Museveni’s visit to Cairo last may.

The two leaders are working closely together on achieving stability in the African continent with the devotion of bringing sustainable peace and prosperity to African people, as the two share the concepts of “African solution for African problems”, supporting the unity and integrity of African nations.

In this regard, Egypt is keen to coordinate closely with Uganda during the term of its presidency of the African union in 2019, and to enhance common African efforts to have a strong and capable African Union.

The economic relationship between Egypt and Uganda has promising potential, and we are working together to achieve mutual benefits for our people. The geographical proximity between our two countries makes us as almost neighbours, who should rely on one another. Consequently, our two governments are working on increasing bilateral trade, and promoting Egyptian investments in Uganda.

Egypt believes in sharing its resources and expertise with its fellow African nations. In this regard, development cooperation has always been a priority of our friendly relations. I am thus proud to mention the ongoing Egyptian project for eliminating floods risks in Kasese, agreement on establishing a solar power plant in Busia, and the joint model farm, together with the efforts of the Egyptian agency for partnership for development, which provided nearly 200 scholarships in different fields of capacity building for fellow Ugandan government officials and students.

These examples of Egypt’s keenness to provide as much of its capacity and experience with African nations are despite of its economic challenges and austerity measures, its Egypt’s commitment for Uganda that we rise together.
The Egyptian investments in Uganda play an important role in the integration between the two friendly countries, like Mantrac, Mac East Africa, Arab Contractors, Egypt-Uganda Food Security, Egypt Air, Cairo International Bank, Elsewedy Electric.

With hopes of increasing Egyptian investments in Uganda as more and more Egyptian companies open and expand in Uganda and exploring the enormous opportunities that the Pearl of Africa offers, Egypt will remain working with Uganda and providing whatever support it can to implement developmental projects based on a true spirit of partnership and solidarity.

Mr Sallam is the Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda.