AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: Uganda has tightened screening at its DRC border after a Kenyan man who travelled through Uganda from Congo died in Nairobi. The DRC outbreak has passed 9,000 cases, with 4,381 deaths; officials warn infected travellers may not yet show symptoms. Economy: Bank of Uganda’s reserves rose to $6.7 billion in the year to June, up from $4.3 billion, but the shilling has since come under pressure as fuel and import costs climb. Investment Drive: Uganda is offering Thai investors 10-year tax holidays, full foreign ownership and unrestricted profit transfers. In Rome, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja urged Italian firms to invest in agro-processing, especially coffee, to boost local value addition and jobs. Business: Nile Breweries says it sources more than 98% of its raw materials locally, works with about 25,000 farmers and spends Shs156 billion a year on local procurement. Court: Tejas Patel has been remanded to Luzira Prison after prosecutors amended the charge sheet to include aggravated human trafficking.

Currency and Markets: The shilling hit an intraday low of Sh4,240 to the dollar ahead of an emergency Bank of Uganda policy meeting on Wednesday. The central bank’s announcement prompted some dollar selling, and the currency recovered part of its losses by close. Higher fuel prices are adding pressure. Ebola Alert: The DRC’s outbreak has passed 9,000 cases, with 4,381 deaths. Kenya’s first imported case travelled through Uganda, raising cross-border concerns; Uganda has secured 3,000 doses for an Ebola vaccine trial. Investment Drive: Uganda is courting Thai investors in agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism and mining, as officials promote the country’s investment rules and seek to attract foreign capital. Public Safety: Parliament wants government to consider reactivating local defence units after deadly attacks in Mubende and Kyegegwa, where MPs reported 10 people killed. Digital Oversight: Uganda’s communications regulator has given about 4,000 unlicensed public Wi-Fi operators seven days to comply or face enforcement. The move comes as a new report warns that digital public systems can exclude people with limited connectivity or digital skills.

Tourism Push: Uganda is courting high-value weddings, conferences and celebrations, with an international events expo in Kampala aimed at drawing investors and business to hotels, tour operators and other local firms. Health Funding: MPs want a funding model tailored to Kampala’s needs after Kisenyi Health Centre IV treated 323,000 patients last year—more than three times its design capacity. In Rubanda, a report also flags overcrowding, medicine and bed shortages, and staff absenteeism. Fuel Costs: Pump prices of Shs6,800–7,000 a litre face further pressure from tight global diesel supplies and a weakening shilling, while Uganda has limited control over prices in its liberalised market. Local Industry: Ugandan technology firms are asking Parliament for a fair, transparent role in the national vehicle-tracking programme, including safeguards for local businesses and vehicle owners. Agriculture: ACODE is urging dedicated budget funding for solar-powered irrigation, as unreliable rains threaten smallholder harvests. Regional Alert: A Kenyan Ebola patient travelled through Kampala before reaching Nairobi; Kenya reports no further infections in 293 tests.

AFCON 2027: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are working on a joint visa to help fans travel between host countries, with hopes of boosting tourism and business. Road Projects: A shortage of bitumen is delaying asphalt work on roads across Uganda, including KCCA projects, putting construction timelines at risk. UCE Exams: More than 503,000 candidates began exams, but heavy rain and poor roads delayed paper deliveries in some areas; five registered candidates were reported absent. Accountability: The Inspectorate of Government recovered Shs5.7 billion in the first half of 2026, against Shs441.6 billion recommended for recovery, raising questions about enforcement. Courts: A pre-trial hearing has begun in the Shs60 billion Bank of Uganda heist case, where Finance Ministry officials deny the charges. Trade: Denmark has granted Uganda US$300,000 to help horticultural exporters cut shipping costs and meet international standards.

Mineral Trade: Uganda’s latest UGEITI report shows a nearly Shs11.7 trillion mismatch in mineral export figures, alongside conflicting gold records that raise questions about revenue tracking. Investment: China’s Jinguan Electric has signed a deal worth up to $296 million to build 50 solar-storage and charging stations across Africa; its partner Spiro operates in Uganda, though no Ugandan project is confirmed. Cost of Living: The shilling has weakened past Shs4,100 to the dollar, while diesel prices have topped Shs7,100 a litre, with fuel imports and seasonal demand adding pressure. Regional Security: DRC rebel leader Thomas Lubanga reaffirmed a ceasefire after meeting President Museveni; Somalia’s military chief also asked Uganda to expand training ties. Education: Government schools have received delayed third-term grants as 503,214 candidates begin UCE exams; UNEB has warned officials against malpractice. Mental Health: Uganda now has 100 practising psychiatrists, but that amounts to roughly one for every 460,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended level.

Currency and Fuel: The shilling has fallen past Shs4,100 to the US dollar, while diesel has topped Shs7,100 a litre, raising pressure on households and businesses. Ebola Watch: Kenya says it has traced all 122 contacts of its imported Ebola case, which travelled from DR Congo through Uganda; none of the 108 people in quarantine has developed symptoms. DR Congo’s death toll has risen to 4,242. UCE Exams: More than 503,000 candidates begin exams Monday as UNEB warns against malpractice. On Buvuma Island, Nekemiya Memorial Seed School says a fuel shortage threatens transport of exam papers to its centre. Kampala Flooding: Heavy rain inundated roads around Lubigi, stranding commuters and disrupting traffic, prompting calls for better drainage and wetland protection. Business: Nigerian investors are exploring opportunities in Uganda, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and food processing. Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has also urged Uganda Development Bank to speed up loan processing and expand support for manufacturers.

Mubende Attacks: Three people were killed and five critically injured in a wave of household attacks in Buwekula South, including a couple whose pregnant wife was days from giving birth. Police are investigating. ICC Dispute: Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare warned Uganda could quit the court if it targets Ugandans; Justice Minister Norbert Mao called for consultation before such statements. Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first Ebola patient travelled through Uganda before his infection was identified in Nairobi. Officials say he passed through screenings undetected; Uganda has not reported local transmission linked to the case. Trade and Business: Uganda and South Sudan are looking to deepen trade already worth up to $800 million a year. Separately, the WTO says Uganda’s exports rose 35% in the first half of 2026, driven mainly by gold. Rising Costs: Kampala petrol prices reached Shs6,700–6,900 a litre, with diesel as high as Shs7,018. Government points to global disruption and the weaker shilling, while experts urge drivers to cut unnecessary trips and avoid wasteful driving.

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.