AGP Executive Report

Public Service Pay: Government released the 2026/27 public service salary structure, keeping scientists, teachers and specialised technical professionals as top priorities, with the wage bill set at Shs 9.7 trillion. Telecom Disruption: MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank users reported major service outages after a power failure at an MTN data centre disrupted calls, internet and Mobile Money. Justice Under Scrutiny: The Uganda Law Society condemned President Museveni’s remarks on the Besigye treason trial, warning they risk interfering with the administration of justice. Oil Transparency Push: Civil society groups are demanding transparency over Uganda–DRC talks on possible joint oil development, warning of environmental and social risks without clear safeguards. Local Elections & Land: Nakaseke leaders urged voters to reject LC1 candidates linked to land grabbing ahead of the July 28 elections. Regional Safety: Uganda evacuated 424 nationals from South Africa amid xenophobic violence, with the first group of 273 arriving at Entebbe. Digital Gambling Shock: The regulator moved in after ITHUBA Uganda stopped National Lottery operations, citing financial and operational difficulties. Ebola Update (DRC): Health coverage highlights the worsening Ebola situation in the DRC, with new efforts including drug trials and diagnostics.

Digital Transformation: Zanzibar is pushing a tech and innovation push, aiming to digitise public services and grow AI and start-ups, boosted by the new IIT Madras Zanzibar campus. Higher Education & Jobs: Uganda Christian University says enrolment and revenue are rising, citing a break-even model for programmes and stronger research and infrastructure. Public Finance Debate: ActionAid Federation warns IMF debt-sustainability assessments keep prioritising loan repayment over spending on health and education, including in Uganda. Rural Reality: A new global map shows only 36 countries still have majority-rural populations, with Uganda among them. Clean Cooking in Schools: Nabisunsa Girls’ School replaces firewood with LPG under Vivo Energy’s clean-cooking rollout, joining other schools adopting safer, cleaner fuel. Parliament & Accountability: NRM names three women MPs to the Parliamentary Commission, while a drivers’ association alleges Shs675m fraud using members’ IDs in parliamentary accountability documents. AFCON Hosting: CAF opens bids for AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036, as attention shifts to the 2027 tri-host plan for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola cases pass 1,500 with deaths rising to 473, as response and surveillance continue. Business & Innovation: A Ugandan entrepreneur turns banana waste into textiles, employing dozens and targeting wider markets.

AFCON Hosting Race: CAF has opened bidding for AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036, inviting all 54 member associations to submit proposals under a framework built with PwC and technical, financial and legal advisers—setting up the next wave of tournament host competition after the 2027 co-host bid by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Ebola in Congo: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 1,500 cases with 473 deaths, as health authorities track thousands of contacts across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu and push community engagement amid resistance. Digital Finance Milestone: M-KOPA Uganda says it has unlocked over Shs1 trillion in cumulative credit for more than one million customers since 2013, boosting smartphone access and digital inclusion. Media Scrutiny & Rights: A Ugandan court case escalates as Martha Karua sues Uganda’s CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba over her deportation, tied to her defence role in the Besigye treason matter. Climate Pressure on Uganda: A Bududa report highlights gaps behind rising maternal deaths and poor health service capacity, while another story flags climate-induced migration pressures and asks if Uganda is ready.

Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surged past 1,500 confirmed cases and 473 deaths, with WHO warning it is the largest ever recorded and urging sustained support as response efforts intensify. Health in Uganda: Bududa authorities say maternal deaths and poor health delivery are being probed after State House health monitoring flagged gaps like poor infrastructure, low staffing, inadequate housing for health workers and lack of specialists. Legal Fight: Senior counsel Martha Karua has sued Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi over her deportation, saying it blocked her from representing Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale. Finance & Savings: Housing Finance Bank launched the HFB Trust Savings Account, offering interest plus selected insurance benefits. Sports: CAF opened bidding for AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036, as preparations continue for the 2027 tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Media Pressure: A column argues Uganda’s Nation Media Group shutdown concerns are politically driven, while another piece highlights growing pressure on Uganda’s press.

Ebola Crisis: WHO says Bundibugyo Ebola in DR Congo and Uganda has become the largest on record, with cases topping 1,400 and deaths over 400, as response teams push harder diagnostics, contact tracing and treatment trials. Health Response: WHO also reports a first authorized diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus and the start of the PARTNERS clinical trial, even as an Ebola treatment centre was attacked and burned. Constitutional & Court Tensions: Besigye and Lutale insist they will not accept alternative lawyers, saying the state’s moves against their preferred team undermine their right to a fair trial. Opposition Legal Pressure: Kyambogo University dismisses social media claims it will be shut down and turned into a military facility, calling the rumours false. Regional Fallout for Uganda: Uganda begins repatriating nationals from South Africa amid xenophobic violence, with officials citing safety and welfare as the priority. Regional Security: The AU holds an emergency meeting after the US move to block UN funding support for the Somalia peace mission, raising fears for logistics and operations. Finance & Trade: PAPSS is highlighted as a push to enable cross-border payments in local currencies, cutting reliance on US dollars. Sports: CAF invites bids to host AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036.

South Africa–Diplomacy Fallout: International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says Jacob Zuma’s India trip—where he met Ajay Gupta—risks undermining official diplomacy, calling it a “parallel foreign policy” and probing how it was facilitated. Uganda–Innovation & Food Security: Ugandan AI and solar farm-tech founder Shifra Ainomugisha wins Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for Solafam Uganda’s work cutting post-harvest losses and boosting smallholder resilience. Digital Economy & Consumer Impact: Motor dealers demand government cancels a 10-year Russian digital number plate contract after prolonged shortages and delays at fitting centres disrupt businesses. Crime & Financial Fraud: Police hunt Monica Mushemereire over a Sh300m mobile money scam using fake agent machines and receipts to steal traders’ deposits. Health Emergency Watch: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak tops 400 deaths as it spreads toward Kisangani; WHO begins clinical trials for Bundibugyo treatments. Migration Pressure: Uganda starts evacuating citizens from xenophobic violence in South Africa, with 273 nationals arriving in Entebbe and more flights planned. Agriculture Value Addition: COCOFAR sets priorities to strengthen aggregation, expand membership, and build value-add facilities for coffee and cocoa.

Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 438 people out of 1,406 confirmed cases, with spread reaching Kisangani and Uganda reporting 20 cases, as China deploys a second team of medical specialists to boost testing, clinical care and response protocols. Clinical Trial: WHO has started a trial in Congo to test a monoclonal antibody and an antiviral for the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved targeted treatments. Uganda Politics & Governance: Parliament’s Chris Obore and six other staff were remanded to Luzira over alleged corruption, including embezzlement and money laundering tied to losses of over Shs27bn. Public Service Reform: From July 1, 2027, civil servants will contribute 5% of salary to a new contributory pension fund, with government adding 10%. Regional Integration: President Museveni backed a single East African entry visa for AFCON 2027, allowing easier travel across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Economy & Business: QCIL posted record results with profit after tax up 38.8% to Shs56.4bn. Health & Jobs: Uganda scientists are studying whether the HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir could be given once a year, with results expected later.

Parliament Corruption Crackdown: Uganda’s Inspectorate of Government has arrested seven senior Parliament officials, including Chris Obore, over alleged embezzlement and money laundering, with charges expected at the Anti-Corruption Court. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Rights groups and legal bodies warn Uganda’s media crackdown is widening, citing shutdowns of outlets and unlawful detentions, including concerns around Miria Matembe. Ebola Economic Shock: UN-linked reporting says the DRC and Uganda Ebola outbreak could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and push hundreds of thousands into poverty, as cases and deaths keep rising. Electricity Tariffs Debate: Analysis argues Uganda and other countries must fix the real drivers of power bills—losses, debt, weak governance and planning—not just the headline tariff rate. Tourism & Jobs Push: Uganda announces a three-year income tax holiday for qualifying tourism start-ups, aiming to pull in private investment and create jobs. Sports Administration: FUFA unveils club licensing timelines for 2026/27 to professionalize club governance and meet competition standards. Skilling Initiative: Uganda’s Presidential Skilling programme showcases thousands of trainees’ vocational work across Kampala, with sports prizes awarded. Wildlife Moment: Tourists in Uganda witnessed a rare mountain gorilla birth during a safari, drawing huge online reaction.

Marburg Alert: Uganda confirmed an isolated Marburg virus case in Kyegegwa district after a 1½-year-old died; Africa CDC says there are no symptoms among contacts and no active Marburg cases, as surveillance continues alongside Ebola response. Ebola Fallout: UNDP warns the DRC Ebola outbreak could push about 985,000 more people into extreme poverty and wipe out jobs, as travel and trade restrictions hit livelihoods across the region, including Uganda. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Amnesty International condemned Uganda’s alleged harassment of activists and media clampdowns, after arrests tied to opposition figures and the military raid and shutdown of NTV and other outlets. Court Update: Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe was granted Shs 3m cash bail (non-cash bond) pending trial on sectarianism charges. Trade Tension: Uganda’s sugar industry protested Kenya’s 300%+ excise duty hike on imported sugar, warning it could disrupt exports and EAC trade. Finance & Innovation: 4G Capital qualified for the 2X Challenge database after Global Innovation Fund investment, aiming to expand gender-lens lending in Kenya and Uganda.

Press freedom clampdown: Uganda’s army chief Gen Muhoozi ordered the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets including Daily Monitor, NTV and Spark TV, with soldiers stationed outside NMG offices as rights groups warn the country’s space for dissent is shrinking. Court politics: Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe was remanded to Luzira Prison over alleged sectarianism statements, reviving debate about a past promise from President Museveni that she would never be arrested. Health crisis: The UN says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak could push up to 985,000 more people into poverty and cost Africa as much as $3.6bn, with women hit hardest as jobs, trade and services take a hit. Local governance & justice: Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara claims 95% of DNA tests under his ministry found paternity mismatches, urging men to test at birth. Economy & infrastructure: Uganda signed a €110.5m deal with Standard Chartered to finance a road in Karamoja, part of efforts to open up trade and investment in the north-east.

Uganda Media Crackdown: Uganda’s military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has shut down Nation Media Group Uganda and other outlets, with government saying it’s part of a security-led inquiry; Amnesty and US Senator Jim Risch condemn the move as an assault on free speech, while NMG says it’s negotiating reopening. Ebola Cost Fears: The UN warns the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and 328,000 jobs, as cases rise and Uganda reports a smaller number—raising worries of spread. Ebola Response Funding: Africa CDC says clinical trials for the Bundibugyo strain are at risk of collapse without urgent $18m financing. Regional Cybersecurity: IGAD’s regional cyber drill in Addis Ababa ended with INSA urging cross-border cooperation to protect critical infrastructure and financial systems. Health Alerts: Uganda faces heightened regional disease concern as a Marburg outbreak is reported in western Uganda, while West Nile virus warnings continue abroad. Politics in Court: Opposition leader Kizza Besigye appears in court on treason charges amid a widening crackdown on dissent.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Uganda’s army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has ordered the shutdown of NTV Uganda and Spark TV, saying he “does not believe in a free press,” as the crackdown on critics tightens. Courtroom Showdown: Opposition leader Kizza Besigye is set to appear in a Kampala court over long-standing treason charges, with his lawyer Erias Lukwago also facing separate proceedings; bail is scheduled for 3 July. Human Rights Alarm: Amnesty warns Lukwago’s detention and alleged torture point to a pattern of abuse against Besigye’s legal team. Ebola Cost Fears: The UN says the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and trigger major job losses if urgent support doesn’t arrive. South Africa Xenophobia Fallout: Police deployed across South Africa ahead of an anti-migrant “deadline,” as thousands of foreign nationals scramble to leave amid violence fears. Agriculture & Nutrition: A Ugandan researcher is developing cheaper nutrition products from eggs, mukene and cornsilk to tackle malnutrition. Clean Cooking Push: Pearl Bank and France’s AFD back agric-financing through a €15m (Sh60bn) credit line, while local clean-energy firms expand cookstove businesses. World Bank Warning: The World Bank cautions Uganda on fiscal management and says human capital spending must rise sharply to meet growth goals.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Uganda’s military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has ordered the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets, including NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor, drawing condemnation from regional editors’ bodies and rights groups. South Africa Evacuation: Uganda is evacuating citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic violence and threats from vigilante groups, with charter flights planned and hundreds already registering to return. Ebola Escalation in the Region: Africa CDC reports DRC Ebola cases rising to 1,274 with 96 health workers infected, while DRC bans mass gatherings in affected areas to curb spread. Court Blocks Insurance CEO Move: Uganda’s High Court has halted the Insurance Regulatory Authority from appointing a substantive CEO in the Kaddunabbi dispute until his challenge is heard. Ebola Response Funding: Africa CDC says it needs about $1.4bn to finance the regional Ebola response as the outbreak worsens. Crime and Justice: A Ugandan man, Richard Juuko, received an effective 18-year sentence in South Africa for fraud and money laundering linked to a tender scam.

Media Crackdown: Uganda’s army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets, including Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, saying he “doesn’t believe in a free press,” triggering fresh alarm over shrinking space for dissent. Xenophobia & Evacuations: Uganda begins evacuating citizens from South Africa as xenophobic attacks intensify ahead of a June 30 deadline, with charter flights planned and officials coordinating registration and safe assembly points. Ebola Emergency: Ebola in DRC and Uganda has surged past 1,100 cases; the US CDC raised its response to Level One, while Africa CDC and WHO launched a unified continental incident management support team to boost cross-border readiness. Public Finance & Oil Decade: Uganda and the World Bank unveiled a 10-year partnership framework and public finance review to support the Tenfold Growth Strategy and the push toward a $500b economy target. Teachers’ Sacco Recovery: Government tasked Walimu Sacco’s board to recover over Shs11bn in dormant teachers’ loans and revive inactive SACCOs. Regional Trade Tension: Uganda protested Kenya’s 300% sugar import levy, warning it could hit jobs and undermine EAC integration.

Media Crackdown: Uganda’s military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM and Dembe FM, with soldiers sealing offices in Kampala and cutting power; NMG says it will keep reporting online while the “military siege” continues. Press Freedom Pushback: East African press councils and broadcasters condemned the move, warning it threatens free speech and democratic accountability. South Africa Evacuation: Uganda began voluntary evacuation of citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic violence, with 746 already registered and more expected to sign up. Arms Trafficking Case: A former UPDF officer, Michael Katungi Mpeirwe, was arrested in Uganda and is set for extradition to the US over alleged military-grade weapons supply to a Mexican cartel. Energy & Growth: A World Bank-backed electrification push under Mission 300 reports major gains, with Tanzania, Nigeria and Ethiopia among the biggest beneficiaries. Tourism Spotlight: Uganda launched a cultural and tourism festival in Munich, Germany, aiming to deepen diaspora ties and attract investment.

Ebola Watch: Uganda is now facing fresh anxiety as the DRC’s fast-growing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak crosses into Uganda, with health experts warning South Sudan is at highest risk next unless border and community prevention measures stay strong. Public Health Response: The US CDC has raised its Ebola response to its highest level, while Uganda continues using lessons from earlier outbreaks, including airport screening and support for frontline health workers. Oil & Economy: Uganda is set to start crude oil exports in October 2026, with CNOOC Uganda saying the Kingfisher project is in final phases and key facilities are nearing completion. Sports Infrastructure: Islamic Bank insurance support has backed the Akii-Bua Stadium project in Lira with Shs 236bn, aimed at boosting preparations for AFCON 2027. Governance & Integrity: Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng urged State House staff to uphold integrity as they complete leadership and ideological orientation training. Tourism & Culture: Museveni opened Uganda’s Cultural and Tourism Festival in Munich, pushing indigenous music and poetry to the diaspora. Domestic Tourism Push: Uganda Wildlife Authority urged Ugandans to boost local travel to support conservation and jobs. Politics & Courts: Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago remains hospitalized as lawyers await medical test results, with talk of possible treatment abroad. Refugee Strain: Uganda’s refugee self-reliance model is under pressure as funding drops, food rations shrink, and tensions rise in settlements like Kyaka II. Business & Finance: Uganda’s FY 2026/27 budget moves toward new excise duty rates, including higher taxes on fuel and spirits, as Musasizi outlines expected revenue gains.