Edgar Lungu, the President of The Republic of Zambia is scheduled to travel to Uganda following the Nile Basin Summit that is due to take place from June 22rd to 23rd this year.
According to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harry Kalaba, President Lungu’s special invitation regarding the summit attendance is due to the very remarkable role Zambia has played in issues of migration and refugees.
“The invitation to President Edgar Lungu also demonstrates the confidence that the leaders within the Nile Basin have in the President,” the Foreign Affairs Minister further explained, speaking to the journalists at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Mr. Kalaba also said that, the government of Uganda will use every opportunity to accentuate the country’s prospects for good relation and regional integration.
The Nile Basin Initiative is a partnership among the Nile riparian states that seek to develop the river (Nile) in a more cooperative manner, share substantial socioeconomic benefits, and promote social and economic development. The initiative has always been supported by the World Bank and other external partners.
The initiative was formally launched in 1999 by the water ministers of the nine countries sharing the river (Nile): Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Eretria as an observer.
The Nile Basin Initiative comprises of ten permanent members: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Uganda is the current chair of the Nile Council of Ministers of Water Affairs of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
Correspondent: Shamirah Abdallah
