President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with Egypt’s outgoing Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Monzer Selim, at State House, Entebbe, as the envoy prepares to conclude his four-year diplomatic tour of duty.
Ambassador Selim, who will leave Uganda on August 31, 2026, paid a farewell call on President Museveni and thanked him for the support extended to him, the Egyptian Embassy and the Government of Egypt during his tenure.
President Museveni wished the outgoing envoy success in his next assignment. “I wish you good luck,” President Museveni said.
Selim said he would return to Egypt, where he will take up responsibilities covering Horn of Africa affairs, meaning Uganda would remain within his diplomatic portfolio.
“I’m going back to headquarters in Egypt, and I’ll be responsible for the Horn of Africa issues. So, I guess Uganda will not be a stranger to me,” he said.
The ambassador said his successor is expected to arrive in Uganda on September 4, 2026.
Egyptian investment in Uganda grows
Selim highlighted the expansion of economic ties between Uganda and Egypt during his tenure, particularly the growth of Egyptian private-sector investment in Uganda.
He said the number of major Egyptian companies operating in Uganda had increased from two when he assumed office to five, which he attributed to growing investor confidence and stronger commercial relations.
The value of Egyptian companies’ operations and planned investments in Uganda has also risen sharply, from about $120 million at the beginning of his tenure to an estimated $700 million after investments expected next year.
“With our upcoming investment next year, we will reach approximately $700 million. So that’s about six times,” Selim said.
The development reflects the broader effort by Kampala and Cairo to deepen economic cooperation beyond their traditional diplomatic and political relations.
Selim said the two countries were also exploring the establishment of a joint business council, which would provide a platform for businesses from both countries to identify investment opportunities and strengthen commercial ties.
Museveni commended over regional diplomacy
The outgoing ambassador also praised President Museveni’s handling of sensitive regional issues, particularly developments in Somalia and Sudan, as well as Uganda’s engagement in discussions over Nile Basin water resources.
He commended Uganda’s role within the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), saying Kampala’s approach had helped keep channels of consultation open among member states during periods of disagreement.
“Your wisdom and the wisdom of Uganda has guided the family of the NBI through troublesome times, and we are counting on the continued leadership of Uganda when it comes to consultative efforts that would be able to bring everybody on board,” Selim said.
The remarks come against the backdrop of longstanding differences among Nile Basin countries over the use and management of the river’s waters, with Egypt and other upstream states holding differing positions on major water and development projects.
The two countries are expected to continue discussions on investment, infrastructure and regional cooperation following Selim’s departure.
For Selim, however, the end of his posting in Kampala does not mean the end of his relationship with Uganda. His new Horn of Africa assignment is likely to keep him engaged with the country and the wider East African region.
His four-year tenure has therefore ended with the diplomatic relationship between Kampala and Cairo seeking to move beyond political cooperation into a more substantial economic partnership.