Uganda has moved to ease tensions between Egypt and other Nile Basin member countries over the new Cooperative Framework Agreement for the use of River Nile that is aimed at establishing a new order on the use of the river, which is a key resource in eastern and northern Africa.

Egypt and Sudan are yet the only countries not to sign the agreement that Uganda, Burndi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC Congo and Ethiopia have already endorsed.

the River Nile is essential for Egypt

The agreement among others removes Egypt’s superior veto rights over the use of the Nile, and established what the framers call equitable use of the Nile in the region.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has assured the Egypt that Uganda cannot associate itself with any plans to harm Egypt and that nobody can stop Egypt from using the waters of the Nile.

Museveni said that there is no danger to the Nile waters politically but rather environmentally which has forced Nile Basin Member countries to move together to protect the river from degradation.

The President made the assurances yesterday while meeting a high powered delegation from Egypt led by Mustapha El – Gendy.

A statement from Statehouse indicates that Museveni promised Egyot he would discuss the with his fellow East African leaders not to put any restrictions on Egypt’s use of the River Nile for irrigation and building huge water channels off the River.

The President said using the Nile waters for building dams is not a problem because this does not affect the flow of water, adding that irrigation too is not a problem since it is only a stop gap measure used only during the drought season. He said Uganda is a tropical country with a lot of water and is not worried about Egypt’s maximum use of the Nile.

“The answer to the security of the Nile waters is electrification. This will stop people from cutting down trees for firewood. Electrification would also create industrialization which would help people shift from agriculture to industrialization. The Nile Basin countries should develop and emulate developed countries like Europe and United States which rely on only 2% agriculture which is mechanized and the rest on industrialization and services which generate incomes and jobs,” Museveni said.

The head of delegation Mr. Mustapha El – Gendy said his team was in the country to seek President Museveni’s vision and guidance on how to set up a government which is all embracing and on how Egypt should be run in the future.

The delegation included representatives from the Supreme Council of the armed Forces of Egypt which assumed power from former President Hosni Mubarak, members of civil society, parliamentarians, corporate bodies, professors from various universities and institutions of higher learning and the Egyptians Press.

The Egyptian government is in transition following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent transfer of power to the Supreme Council of Armed Forces of Egypt.