AGP Executive Report

ICC Tensions: Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare warned Uganda could quit the International Criminal Court if it investigates Ugandan citizens, drawing a public rebuke from Justice Minister Norbert Mao, who urged consultation. US sanctions on the court have also raised fears that reparations and support for Northern Uganda’s LRA survivors could be disrupted. Public Health: Africa CDC says a Kenyan man who died of Ebola travelled through Kampala before diagnosis; screenings did not detect the infection. Authorities are tracing contacts and urging anyone with symptoms to seek medical advice. Cost of Living: Kampala petrol is selling for Shs6,700–6,900 a litre, with diesel reaching Shs7,018. Experts advise avoiding speeding and unnecessary trips as the shilling’s weakness and global disruption push fuel costs higher. Climate Finance: Uganda is seeking private investment and carbon-market funding to help meet its estimated $28.1 billion climate-finance need by 2030.

Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case travelled from the DRC through Kampala before the patient reached Nairobi, raising questions about missed screening. Uganda has begun Phase Ib trials of an Oxford vaccine candidate, while a Moderna candidate has received ethical approval for trials here. Housing: Stakeholders say Uganda’s estimated 2.48-million-unit housing gap needs affordable finance, better planning and delivery beyond government alone. Economy: The shilling has weakened to nearly Shs4,100 per US dollar as fuel costs rise. President Museveni rejected using foreign reserves to support the currency, while UNOC cited global disruption and depreciation behind higher pump prices. Governance: As Uganda marked 64 years of independence, Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi cited human-rights concerns, corruption, poor services and economic hardship as questions over how far the country has progressed.

Economy: On Uganda’s 64th Independence Day, Museveni cited growth from a $3.9 billion economy in 1986 to $69.3 billion, and called for more industrialisation and value addition. The shilling has meanwhile fallen to about Shs4,100 per dollar. Museveni rejected using foreign reserves to defend it, as Parliament demands answers over rising fuel prices. Health Security: Africa CDC says Kenya’s first Ebola patient travelled from DR Congo through Uganda before flying to Nairobi, highlighting the need for stronger regional surveillance. Digital Finance: MTN MoMo urged fintech firms, banks and regulators to deepen partnerships, interoperability and AI to expand financial inclusion. The Bank of Uganda also reported cash in circulation rose 12% to Shs10 trillion in 2025/26. Regional Role: Kampala hosted Africa’s first defence chiefs’ conference focused on military operations beyond war, including disaster response and public health emergencies. Tourism: Uganda and Mozambique signed an agreement to promote joint travel packages and business links.

Regional Politics: Uganda has warned citizens against crossing into Kenya to register as voters or take part in its 2027 election, directing security agencies and local leaders along the border to monitor the situation. Kampala says it respects Kenya’s sovereignty. Ebola Watch: A second Kenyan patient suspected of Ebola tested negative, easing fears of another case. The patient had travelled from DR Congo through Uganda; Kenya’s first confirmed case was fatal, and health officials remain alert to cross-border spread. Democracy: Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi has urged the Commonwealth to press Uganda’s government over concerns about elections, human rights and restrictions on political activity. Economic Growth: Government says Uganda must overhaul development financing to help fund its $500 billion economy target for 2040, drawing on domestic savings and private capital. Finance Minister Henry Musasizi also urged women entrepreneurs to formalise businesses, adopt technology and improve access to markets. Education: UNEB has warned UCE candidates that cheating in even one paper could lead to cancellation of all their results.

Ebola Preparedness: Uganda has begun clinical trials of an Oxford candidate vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain, while a Moderna vaccine has received approval for trials. The urgency is underscored by Kenya’s first imported case: the patient travelled through Kampala before dying in Nairobi. Parliamentary Oversight: As Uganda’s 12th Parliament passes its first 100 days, attention is shifting from leaders’ promises on accountability and anti-corruption to whether MPs will deliver effective scrutiny. Business & Finance: Uganda has cleared wealthy and professional investors to buy into Dangote’s refinery IPO, with the offer closing October 13. M-KOPA, which operates in Uganda and four other African markets, says it has reached 10 million customers and posted record revenue of $600 million. Justice: A High Court ruling found KCCA had a duty to protect people from the danger of the open Nakivubo drain where vendor Olive Basemera drowned, though the claim that officers chased her was not proved. Football: The Crested Cranes rallied to beat Zambia 2-1 in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier in Kampala.

Ebola Watch: Kenya’s first Ebola patient travelled from the DRC through Uganda before flying to Nairobi, raising fresh questions about cross-border surveillance. Uganda is urging regional cooperation as Kenya steps up checks; the WHO advises against travel bans. Railway Enforcement: Uganda Railways says it will begin demolishing illegal structures on railway reserves and cancelling irregular titles on October 12, clearing land for network upgrades. Investment: Uganda has approved local investors’ participation in Dangote Refinery’s $1.6 billion share sale, with an East African offer worth up to $300 million. Separately, government has handed 60 acres to DEVKI for iron-ore mining in Rubanda, while directing officials to review compensation for affected residents. Water and Climate: Tooro Kingdom is joining civil society groups to promote sanitation and protect water sources as WASH funding shrinks. Uganda also says locally led climate programmes are operating across 12 districts. Social Support: Government has launched a severe-disability assistance pilot in 25 districts, while a UN committee is calling for free, state-funded pre-primary education.

Public Finance: With public debt at Shs143.92 trillion, Uganda is leaning more on local borrowing and inviting citizens to buy Treasury bills and bonds, with entry from Shs100,000. Business Pressures: The shilling has crossed Shs4,000 to the dollar as fuel costs climb, squeezing households and firms; private-sector growth has also slowed. Dangote IPO: Uganda’s Capital Markets Authority has cleared eligible local investors to join the refinery’s $1.6 billion share sale, with East Africa offered nearly 20% of the IPO. Regional Trade: Kampala urged South Sudan to protect Ugandan traders’ businesses, while rejecting claims that Uganda is interfering in Kenya’s 2027 election. Local Polls: The Electoral Commission will rerun disputed LC1 votes in batches from October 15 and 19. Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first confirmed case travelled through Uganda before the patient died in Nairobi; Kampala says it is coordinating with regional authorities as contact tracing continues. Commonwealth Ties: Museveni met Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, calling for stronger African integration and backing proposed climate and youth funds.

Ebola Alert in the Region: Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola death after a man travelled from DR Congo via Kampala to Nairobi, triggering contact tracing and raising questions about screening at JKIA and along the route. TVET Crackdown: Uganda’s UVTAB gazetted new TVET assessment rules and penalties to curb malpractice, including strict sanctions for cheating, impersonation and altering assessment records. Climate Action for MPs: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa told lawmakers to stop treating climate change as talk and instead use legislation, budgeting and oversight to prevent disasters. Energy Security & Industry: Afreximbank says the Dangote refinery project in Kenya’s Lamu will help conserve foreign reserves, while Unilever invested Sh70m in an 800kW solar system in Nairobi to cut power costs. Education Under Pressure: Over 200,000 refugee learners in Uganda’s host districts face unpaid teacher gaps as donor funding cuts bite. Governance & Accountability: Parliament accepted Finance Minister Henry Musasizi’s apology over COSASE no-show on Bank of Uganda liabilities tied to HABA Group, granting him one week to prepare. Security & Justice: Uganda’s court convicted Ibrah Muwonge for terrorism over deliberate destruction of electricity infrastructure, sentencing him to 10 years. Landslide Relief: Cabinet approved Shs18m each for 1,423 Mount Elgon households at very high landslide risk to relocate.

Commonwealth Diplomacy: Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey is set to visit Uganda from 7–9 October for talks with President Museveni and key institutions ahead of CHOGM in Antigua. Oil Oversight: MPs on the Budget committee toured Tilenga and EACOP sites, saying key petroleum projects are nearing first oil, with EACOP reported at about 92% completion. Ebola Cross-Border Alert: Kenya confirmed its first-ever Ebola case after a Kenyan who had been in DR Congo died in Nairobi; authorities are tracing contacts and monitoring flight links via Uganda. Refugee Education Pressure: Uganda says over 200,000 refugee pupils risk failing to complete the school year due to teacher shortages tied to donor cuts, prompting an emergency meeting at OPM. Finance & Banking: Absa cut short Abdi Mohamed’s gardening leave so he can start at I&M earlier than planned, reshaping leadership timelines. Business & Innovation: Ugandan fintech firms are eyeing regional expansion as Nairobi hosts the Africa Blockchain Festival, while Equity Bank urges the diaspora to shift from remitting to investing. Sports: Uganda Sand Cranes step up training for an AFCON beach soccer qualifier against Burundi. Public Safety: Police arrested a suspected fake tour operator targeting foreign visitors online.

Anti-Corruption Court: Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over alleged Sh494m loss and abuse of office, with his bail hearing set for Oct 7. Education Oversight: The Ministry of Education says international schools must pick a clear licensing path for either the national or foreign curriculum, warning there’s no “middle ground” for dual curricula. Health Capacity: Uganda Cancer Institute reports radiotherapy machines have risen to eight, but delays persist amid patient surges and staffing gaps. Energy & Skills: UPDF National Referral Hospital begins UK-supported Basic and Intermediate Life Support training to strengthen emergency response. Business & Finance: NSSF credited members with a record 22.53% return for the year to June 2026, while analysts urge caution on what can be repeated next year. Transport & Tech: Uganda’s digital number plate probe deepens after two officials were arrested over Parliament’s questions on the Sh714.3m price. Sports: Besigye’s treason trial resumes, while Sunderland gets a fitness boost as Noah Sadiki plays friendlies for DR Congo.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Médecins Sans Frontières warns of an alarming jump in Ebola cases in North Kivu, saying the outbreak has “intensified dramatically” since early September and is straining treatment capacity. Education Crackdown: Uganda’s Ministry of Education orders “international” schools offering dual curricula to get separate licences or meet full standards for each pathway, targeting “fake international schools.” Anti-Corruption Push: The Inspectorate of Government remanded Uganda’s consul general in Mombasa, Amb. Herbert Kiguli, to Luzira over alleged Shs494m loss linked to Bukalasa COVID-era funds. Health Worker Role Clarity: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tells newly trained CHEWs in Mitooma not to treat patients or run clinics—only health education, prevention, surveillance and referrals. Mining Finance Boost: Equity Bank pledges deeper support for artisanal miners at the Mineral Wealth Conference, focusing on financial inclusion and safer, more productive mining. Currency Pressure: The shilling hits a record low as seasonal dollar demand and import positioning pile pressure on forex markets. Patriotism Training: All Senior Six leavers are set for six months of mandatory patriotism training at NALI, Kyankwanzi. Digital Number Plate Probe: Parliament’s inquiry leads to arrests over unclear pricing and false testimony tied to the Shs714,300 digital plate cost.

Gender Justice Watch: Activists say femicide across Africa is still rising despite past government promises, with UN Women/UNODC reporting about 22,600 women and girls killed by intimate partners or family in 2024. Teachers’ Welfare: UNATU renews demands for fair salary treatment, faster promotions, better learning materials and SACCO support, after complaints that teachers are overworked and undervalued. Public Health Push: Uganda’s measles-rubella drive is in its final stretch, with 5.5m children already vaccinated toward a 7.6m target. KCCA Accountability: Court orders KCCA to pay about Shs124m after a street vendor drowned in the Nakivubo channel during a 2017 enforcement operation. Tax System Update: URA says 2.1m taxpayers have been mapped from TIN to NIN as Uganda transitions to NIN as the main tax identifier. Uganda–Coffee Trade: Uganda joins the Swiss Coffee Trade Association to deepen access to global coffee markets. Sports & Community: SC Volcanoes start FUFA Big League with a win, while Copper Queens head to Kampala for Olympic qualification talks.

Trade & Jobs: Kenya’s exports to the US overtook Uganda’s in the five months to July 2026 after AGOA preferential access was restored, with apparel and coffee demand rebounding. Politics & Courts: The High Court in Kampala set Oct 20 for judgment in a petition challenging Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi’s election over constituency naming. Health (HIV): Experts say Uganda must rethink HIV testing to reach people who don’t know their status, using hotspot targeting beyond facility-only testing. Tax Reform: URA says 2.1m taxpayers have been mapped from TIN to NIN as Uganda transitions to NIN as the main tax identifier. Energy & Industry: Museveni backs Dangote’s Lamu refinery but says Uganda won’t commit money until the status of a proposed Tanga refinery is clarified. Public Safety: Police arrested a suspect in the Nabwire child kidnapping and murder after a seven-day manhunt. Housing & Education: ULS urges a housing policy to tackle high costs and land fraud; Education minister Ogwang warns schools against illegal UPE/USE fee charges that drive dropouts. Regional & World: DRC says Ebola’s peak is behind it as response efforts continue.

Uganda Politics: Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba escalated tensions in the ruling NRM, threatening to arrest Water and Environment minister Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire unless he apologises within three days, after Otafiire urged leaders to resolve disagreements peacefully. Human Rights & Security: Parliament and public attention are growing over the fate of missing opposition activist Sam Mugumya, after Muhoozi threatened to “shoot him to death” amid reports of his abduction. Health: Soroti health officials say some schools resisted Uganda’s measles-rubella vaccination drive, blocking nurses and midwives; teams are engaging administrators and parents to restore access. Sports & Youth: Yumbe stakeholders launched the Brave Girls 2026 campaign to curb teenage pregnancy, early marriages, school dropout and GBV, with support for both in-school and out-of-school girls. Business & Finance: Uganda’s NSSF says it avoided investing in Kenya Pipeline Company’s IPO, citing high pricing after shifting toward more diversified equity holdings. Courts & Accountability: A London trial opens over the 2017 Crane Bank sale, with Sudhir Ruparelia and family seeking damages of over $225m.

Regional Banking Expansion: NCBA targets Ethiopia and the DRC for growth, saying it will enter mainly through acquisitions after the Nedbank deal that could reshape its ownership and cross-border reach. Justice & Crime: A Canadian pastor in Kampala pleads guilty over a bogus gold deal worth about $2.3bn shillings, as court cases continue against co-accused. Political Tension: Gen Muhoozi threatens to “shoot to death” missing opposition activist Sam Mugumya, as Parliament pushes for answers on his whereabouts. Health Access: Soroti schools resist measles-rubella vaccination, while Buikwe’s Kiyindi residents say over 21,000 people lack a public health facility. Governance & Services: Prime Minister Nabbanja calls for better coordination to improve service delivery and hit Uganda’s long-term growth goals. Water & Last-Mile Gaps: MPs warn safe-water progress still leaves thousands of villages without improved sources. Sports & Culture: KITFest 2026 brings theatre from 21 countries to Nairobi, and Uganda’s Independence Marathon triggers Northern Bypass traffic diversions.

Presidential Politics: Rebecca Kadaga has shut down rumours of a presidential run, saying she will focus on defending her Kamuli Woman MP seat and pushing grassroots priorities like women’s empowerment, healthcare, education and infrastructure. Security & Power Struggles: A fresh public clash has erupted after Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba demanded an apology from Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, escalating tensions inside the ruling NRM/PLU circles. Disaster Preparedness: Uganda has screened about 5,000 buildings for earthquake safety in Kampala, with the Rapid Visual Screening exercise set to expand to Kira, Wakiso, Entebbe, parts of Greater Kampala and beyond. Environment & Schools: Equity Bank is rolling out an Equity Green Schools Programme to plant and protect 200,000 trees in schools by 2027, starting with thousands of trees already planted. Health Workforce: The Ministry of Public Service has ordered annual submission of essential healthcare personnel lists to protect wage plans, amid severe radiographer shortages in public hospitals. Business & Trade: Uganda’s hotel sector is watching an AFCON-linked demand boost as the economy shows mixed performance, while NCBA Bank Uganda handed over 50 household water filters to vulnerable families in Kasenyi. Sports: Uganda Cranes begin AFCON 2027 preparations with a 2-0 friendly win over DR Congo in Johannesburg.