AGP Executive Report

Court Martial: A convicted military informer told court he was tortured and pressured to falsely implicate Gen James Birungi in alleged staged bomb attacks. Fuel and Roads: Global diesel shortages, a weaker shilling and higher taxes are pushing Uganda’s fuel prices up, while a bitumen shortage threatens roadworks, including KCCA projects. Education: UCE exams have begun, but some candidates missed papers and rain-delayed deliveries disrupted materials in Oyam; officials also reported absences in Gulu. Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first Ebola death was a patient who travelled through Kampala after being screened at Entebbe; the outbreak in the DRC has reached 9,000 confirmed cases, heightening regional surveillance concerns. Tourism and Trade: Uganda is preparing a London roundtable to attract tourism investment, while East African states are planning a joint visa for AFCON 2027 fans. A Danish-backed grant will also help Ugandan horticulture exporters test cheaper sea freight.

Horticulture: Denmark has awarded Uganda a $300,000 grant to help exporters meet market standards and test cheaper sea freight for avocados and other produce. Trade: Uganda’s national chamber signed an agreement with Oman’s chamber to build business ties and explore opportunities in agriculture, tourism, mining and technology. Water Sector: Uganda will host the International Water Association’s 2027 congress, expected to draw more than 3,000 delegates; NWSC is also seeking a partnership to manufacture water-pump parts locally. Education: UNEB moved 15 Nekemeya Memorial Seed School candidates to another exam centre after fuel shortages threatened the school’s ability to transport papers. Health: Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient travelled through Kampala before reaching Nairobi, underscoring cross-border surveillance concerns; Uganda has suspended hotel-based ministry meetings and seminars. Economy and Roads: The shilling has fallen past 4,000 to the dollar, while bitumen shortages and delayed utility relocations threaten KCCA’s December deadline for roadworks.

Mental Health: Uganda has reached 100 practicing psychiatrists, but that is still roughly one for every 460,000 people, far short of the WHO benchmark; only seven regional referral hospitals have a psychiatrist. Campus Security: Gulu University is blaming city security agencies after second-year student John Bosco Ngire was killed in a pre-dawn attack near campus. Kampala Floods: Heavy rain flooded homes and roads, destroyed property and brought down perimeter walls, renewing calls for urgent intervention. Regional Health: Kenya says all 122 contacts of its first imported Ebola case have been traced; 108 are quarantined, with no new cases reported. The patient travelled from the DRC through Uganda. Medical Training: President Museveni has ordered a review of a policy requiring medical students to complete internship before graduating, saying graduation and housemanship should remain separate. Economy: The shilling has fallen past Shs4,100 to the dollar, while diesel has climbed above Shs7,100 a litre. Regional Peace: DRC rebel leader Thomas Lubanga reaffirmed a ceasefire after meeting Museveni in Entebbe.

Health Policy: President Museveni has ordered a review of the proposed rule requiring medical students to complete internships before graduating, saying degrees and housemanship should remain separate. Economy: The shilling has fallen past Shs4,100 to the US dollar, pushing diesel above Shs7,100 a litre as import demand and energy costs mount. Nigerian investors are also scouting opportunities in Uganda, including cement, pharmaceuticals and food processing. Public Safety: Three people have been killed and five injured in attacks on homes in Mubende, with police investigating. Kampala: Heavy rain flooded Lubigi and sections of the Kampala–Hoima Highway, stranding commuters and prompting renewed calls for better drainage and wetland enforcement. Education: A Buvuma Island school says fuel shortages threaten transport of UCE examination papers for its first exams at the school. Regional Health: Kenya has quarantined 108 contacts after an imported Ebola case; the patient travelled through Uganda, underscoring the need for cross-border vigilance.

Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first imported Bundibugyo Ebola patient travelled through Uganda before reaching Nairobi, where he was diagnosed and later died. The case highlights gaps in regional screening as the outbreak spreads in eastern DR Congo. Trade Links: Uganda and South Sudan are seeking to grow annual trade beyond $800 million by easing barriers and expanding investment. Roads and Services: Entebbe has secured more than Shs100 billion to upgrade over 20 kilometres of roads, while Apac road maintenance is stalled, with Shs250 million idle after MPs missed meetings to form a roads committee. ICC Dispute: Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare warned Uganda could quit the ICC if it investigates Ugandans; Justice Minister Norbert Mao urged caution and consultation. Cost of Living: Kampala petrol prices reached Shs6,700–6,900 a litre as rising fuel costs and public debt add pressure on households and businesses.

Ebola Alert: A Kenyan who died of Ebola travelled through Kampala from the DRC before reaching Nairobi, raising concerns about gaps in regional screening as contact tracing continues. Tourism and Transport: The collapse of River Mucha Bridge has cut the direct route from Kisoro to Bwindi’s Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors; a rough-road diversion adds 30–45 minutes. Debt and Services: Civil society groups are urging Parliament to scrutinise Uganda’s borrowing, warning that loan costs and repayments squeeze funding for essential services. Housing: Stakeholders say Uganda’s estimated 2.48 million-unit housing gap needs affordable financing, better planning and practical action beyond government alone. Regional Tourism: Uganda is calling for closer cooperation with Kenya to reduce travel costs, improve connections and ease paperwork for visitors crossing between the two countries.

Housing: Uganda’s housing deficit stands at about 2.48 million homes. Stakeholders at a Kampala dialogue urged government, lenders and developers to focus on affordable finance, urban planning and delivering homes. Economy: President Museveni rejected using foreign-exchange reserves to support the shilling, which has fallen more than 11% this year. He urged Ugandans to buy locally made goods as fuel costs rise. Ebola Watch: With cases reported in eastern DR Congo near Uganda, regional health authorities are tracing contacts after a Kenyan man who travelled through Uganda died of Ebola in Nairobi. Uganda has called for calm and stronger vigilance. Tourism: Newly appointed Bahamas honorary consul Anita Rukundo Tayebwa wants to use the diplomatic link to boost tourism ties, noting Uganda drew about 1.6 million visitors in 2025, compared with more than 12 million for the Bahamas. Skills and Industry: Education officials are pressing for closer ties between schools and manufacturers to equip young people with practical skills for work.

Ebola Vigilance: Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient travelled through Uganda before dying in Nairobi, highlighting the need for stronger cross-border screening. Uganda has heightened vigilance as regional authorities monitor the outbreak. Professional Regulation: Uganda’s Architects Registration Board says foreign architects are practising without required registration and wants tighter rules. Tourism Ties: Uganda and Mozambique have agreed to promote tourism together, including joint packages, after a roadshow in Maputo. Public Service: Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe warned that procurement delays, weak contract management and corruption raise development costs and erode trust. Independence at 64: President Museveni urged Ugandans to work hard and build the country, while veteran Abdul Nadduli said Uganda’s future depends on respecting the Constitution. Economic Risks: The IMF has flagged high borrowing costs, rising government debt and the need for clear safeguards as Uganda prepares for oil revenues and builds gold reserves.

Ebola Preparedness: Uganda has heightened vigilance after Kenya confirmed an imported Ebola case involving a patient who travelled through Kampala. Authorities also postponed Koffi Olomidé’s Gulu concert over concerns about travel from the DRC. Regional Politics: Uganda says it will stop citizens crossing into Kenya to take part in the 2027 elections, while insisting it respects Kenya’s sovereignty. Democracy: Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi urged visiting Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey to press Uganda’s government on rights and electoral concerns. Economic Growth: Government is seeking a wider financing base—including private investment and domestic savings—to help fund its $500 billion economy target for 2040. Courts: The High Court awarded gumboot maker Migoo Shs16.7 billion after ruling a rival copied its design. It also found Kampala City Council Authority responsible for failing to protect the public from the open drain where vendor Olive Basemera drowned.

Ebola Vigilance: Uganda is on alert after Kenya confirmed an imported Bundibugyo Ebola case in a traveller who passed through Kampala and Entebbe. Regional health officials are tracing contacts and strengthening preparedness. Digital Safety: The Uganda Communications Commission has launched a child online protection campaign, urging families, schools, government and technology firms to help children use the internet safely. Mobile Money: Fintech leaders warn that fraud, network failures and transaction costs could erode trust in services used by millions of Ugandans. Investment: Uganda has approved wealthy and professional investors to buy into Dangote’s refinery IPO; the offer closes October 13. Public Health: Uganda is nearing HIV treatment targets, but about 14.7% of adults living with HIV are unaware of their status. Trade: Kampala has urged South Sudan to protect Ugandan businesses after reports that some traders were barred from operating. Education: Masindi officials have one month to ensure a delayed seed school is completed, after the contractor received more than Shs1.7 billion of the Shs3.3 billion contract.

Ebola Alert: Uganda is on heightened watch after a Kenyan man infected with the Bundibugyo strain travelled through Uganda before dying in Nairobi. Kenya has quarantined 10 people and is tracing 57 more contacts; Uganda says it is strengthening vigilance, with no case reported. Investment: Ugandan investors can access nearly $300 million of Dangote Refinery’s $1.6 billion share offer after cross-border approvals. Meanwhile, government has handed 60 acres in Rubanda to DEVKI for iron-ore mining, with compensation still pending for some affected residents. Public Health: Uganda vaccinated 8.28 million children against measles and rubella, exceeding its target by more than 669,000 amid recurring outbreaks. Local Elections: The Electoral Commission has scheduled repeat LC1 polls in 54 villages for October 15 and 19 after disputes over July results.

Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola case has put regional health surveillance under scrutiny: the patient travelled from DR Congo through Uganda and flew from Kampala to Nairobi before dying. Kenyan authorities are tracing passengers and other contacts, while Uganda has raised its alert. Cross-Border Trade: Uganda has urged South Sudan to protect Ugandan businesses after reports that foreign traders were being barred from operating, and asked affected traders to report restrictions to diplomatic missions. Household Costs: The shilling has weakened 5% against the dollar since February, according to the World Bank, as oil costs, import demand and global financial pressures weigh on the currency. Rural Health: A study of Ugandan clinics found solar power added an average 11.5 operating hours a day and was linked to more attended births and patients, highlighting the health benefits of reliable electricity. Online Safety: Uganda has launched a campaign to help children use the internet safely, calling on parents, schools, technology firms and government to work together.

TVET Crackdown: UVTAB has gazetted new TVET assessment rules and penalties under the TVET Act 2025, targeting cheating and assessment malpractice with sanctions including cancellation of results and suspension, plus heavy fines and jail for grave offences. Refugee Education Crisis: Over 200,000 refugee-hosting learners risk failing to complete the year as donor funding shortfalls leave many teachers unpaid, threatening PLE, UCE and UACE candidates. Commonwealth Diplomacy: Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey arrives in Uganda for a three-day visit ahead of CHOGM, with talks expected to focus on resilience, sustainable development and governance. Digital Number Plates Probe: Attorney General Sam Mayanja told Parliament the 2021 digital number plates contract is null and void, while Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka says UPDF’s NEC was never involved in the ITMS project. Ebola Alarm in the Region: Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case after a patient travelled via Kampala from DR Congo, prompting calls for tighter screening and faster contact tracing. Security Verdict: Ibrah Muwonge became the first Ugandan convicted of terrorism for vandalising electricity infrastructure, receiving 10 years for terrorism and 5 for terror financing. Landslide Resettlement: Cabinet approved Shs18m each for 1,423 Mount Elgon households at very high landslide risk to relocate, including land purchase and house construction support. Dangote IPO/Refinery Watch: CMA Uganda approved restricted cross-border marketing for Dangote’s IPO, while Dangote says the East African refinery in Lamu will be delivered in 40 months.

Ebola Alert in East Africa: Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case after a Kenyan citizen returned from DR Congo via Uganda, died in Nairobi, and triggered tracing of 28 contacts while officials hunt more flight contacts; Public Health Debate: former Chief Justice David Maraga questioned Kenya’s entry screening, while WHO praised the country’s transparency and rapid isolation, and Africa CDC said a support team will travel to Kenya; Independence & Honours: Uganda’s State House will host the 64th Independence Day fete on Oct 9 with President Museveni presiding and 20 people set to receive national honours; Anti-Corruption Court: Uganda’s Consul General to Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, was remanded to Luzira over alleged Shs494m loss; Energy & Local Growth: UEDCL invested over Shs240m in Butebo to extend power to Petete and install a 100kVA transformer for a mini-industrial park; Education: Cabinet approved plans for Iganga University, with Shs89.998bn earmarked for start-up operations.

Digital Accountability: Parliament arrests two officials over Uganda’s digital number plate probe after conflicting explanations on the Shs714,300 fee, as lawmakers dig into procurement and whether the system delivers promised security benefits. Anti-Corruption & Governance: Inspectorate of Government backs Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara’s corruption push but warns ministries must act lawfully; meanwhile Cosase weighs whether to censure Finance Minister Henry Musasizi over repeated absence in the HABA Group Bank of Uganda liability probe. Public Health: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tells newly trained CHEWs in Mitooma not to “act like doctors,” urging health education and referrals; Uganda also faces wider health strain as MSF warns of an Ebola surge in DR Congo’s North Kivu. Energy & Jobs: TotalEnergies highlights investments across Mozambique LNG, Namibia’s Orange Basin and Uganda’s oil push, stressing local skills and suppliers; separate coverage spotlights engineering firms supporting Africa’s industrial maintenance needs. Economy & Finance: A government report says Uganda Development Bank’s 12% interest rate is too high and proposes merging UDB with Uganda Development Corporation. Sports: Copper Queens add Barbra Banda and others to camp in Kampala ahead of the Olympic qualifier against Uganda.

Digital Governance & Accountability: Parliament’s Digital Number Plate probe deepened after CID arrested two senior officials over conflicting pricing breakdowns and a sworn admission that no foreign benchmarking trips happened. Anti-Corruption: IG also arrested Uganda’s Mombasa consul general, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, over alleged Shs494m loss, while warning institutions against victimising whistleblowers after recovering Shs41.9b and ordering Shs2.4b in benefits. Economy & Money: The shilling hit a record low as seasonal dollar demand builds, with Bank of Uganda reportedly staying on the sidelines. Energy & Services: PM Nabbanja commended UEDCL for extending power to schools and rural industries in Butebo, and govt released Shs5.4b to fix a vandalised Karuma–Olwiyo line. Agriculture & Trade: Coffee farmers in Greater Masaka fear slow, unclear EU coffee registration under EUDR as the second deadline nears. Environment & Land: Residents decried massive tree cutting in Maruzi Forest for charcoal and alleged outsiders barred locals from access. Sports: Zambia’s Copper Queens arrived in Kampala ahead of the Olympic qualifier against Uganda. Education & Youth: All Senior Six leavers will undergo six months of mandatory patriotism training at NALI in Kyankwanzi.