AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response Tragedy: A Uganda Red Cross Society driver, Ismael Mulindwa, has died in the aftermath of an Ebola response mission in DRC, after nearly a month of treatment following an attack on the team. Kampala Accountability: KCCA has been ordered to pay about Shs123.9m in damages to the family of street vendor Olive Basemera, who drowned in the Nakivubo channel during a 2017 enforcement operation. Security Crackdown: Police have deployed the flying squad in Kazo District after a spate of killings, adding manpower and patrols across sub-counties. Health Push: Uganda is in the final stretch of a measles-rubella campaign, with 5.5m children vaccinated so far toward a 7.6m target. Tax Identity Drive: URA says 2.1m taxpayers have had their TIN mapped to NIN as Uganda transitions to NIN as the main tax identifier. Coffee Trade Boost: Uganda has joined the Swiss Coffee Trade Association to strengthen access to global coffee markets. Sports & Sponsorship: Hima Cement signs a Shs250m two-year deal with Impis Rugby Club, backing both finances and infrastructure.

East African Energy Politics: President Museveni backed Aliko Dangote’s Lamu refinery push but said Uganda won’t commit money until the status of a proposed Tanga refinery in Tanzania is clarified. HIV Testing Strategy: Experts urged Uganda to rethink HIV testing, saying facility-only approaches miss people who don’t know their status, as UPHIA findings highlight gaps. Health Costs and Delayed Care: A father of five in Wakiso lost both legs after years of ignoring symptoms and high care costs delayed diabetes diagnosis. Tax System Upgrade: URA says 2.1 million taxpayers have had TIN mapped to NIN as it begins a one-year transition to curb duplication and evasion. Cancer Awareness: More men in Busoga are embracing prostate cancer screening, with organisers targeting thousands for the Nile Cancer Run. Governance and Tech: MPs tested the digital number plate tracking system after concerns over security and functionality, with police citing high recovery rates. Education Fees Crackdown: Minister Ogwang warned schools against illegal UPE/USE charges that drive dropouts. Regional Security: Ethiopia’s TPLF said it withdrew from Mekelle, clearing the way for federal forces and allies to enter. Agriculture Finance Gap: Bank of Uganda figures show ACF disbursements exceed Shs1.5trn since 2009, but rural farmers still struggle to access funds.

Teen Pregnancy Push: Stakeholders in Yumbe District launched the Brave Girls 2026 campaign to curb teenage pregnancy, early marriages, school dropout and GBV, with plans for safe spaces, SRHR education and outreach in schools and communities. Education Access for Mothers: Religious institutions and school administrators were urged to keep pregnant girls and teenage mothers in school, with faith leaders encouraged to shift policies so young mothers can return and learn. Health Service Gaps: In Buikwe’s Kiyindi Town Council, over 21,000 residents lack a government health facility, forcing long-distance travel or costly private care and pushing some into self-medication. Transport Safety: Lubiri High School students narrowly escaped a crash after a bus developed mechanical failure on Mengo Hill; police arrested the driver, conductor and a school patron over safety violations. Governance & Land: Kampala’s Central Business District redevelopment plans face renewed scrutiny as Balimwezo alleges an underground takeover plot over KCCA land. Tax Administration: Ugandan pharma tycoon Emmanuel Katongole resigned as URA board chairman after six months, as the tax body faces pressure to raise revenue. Court Case: A Canadian pastor in Kampala pleaded guilty over a bogus gold deal worth $600,000 (about UGX 2.3b).

Opposition Tensions: Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has threatened to “shoot” missing opposition activist Sam Mugumya, as parliament presses government to explain his whereabouts. Health Campaigns: Soroti schools are accused of resisting the five-day measles-rubella vaccination drive, while health officials say teams are engaging parents and administrators to gain access. Public Health Access: Kiyindi Town Council residents say over 21,000 people lack a government health facility, forcing long travel and pushing some into self-medication. Water Last-Mile Crisis: Uganda’s safe-water access rose to 73.6%, but MPs warn thousands of villages still lack improved sources, affecting health and livelihoods. Road Safety Crackdown: Only 69 of 477 impounded commuter taxis have been cleared under Operation Ganyegenya; 408 remain under repair and plates are still held. Disaster Preparedness: Government has screened about 5,000 Kampala buildings for earthquake risk, with the next phase set for Greater Kampala districts. Governance & Revenue: Emmanuel Katongole has resigned as URA board chair after six months, amid pressure to boost domestic revenue.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 4,018 people out of 8,300 confirmed cases, with the fatality rate now at 48.4%, as response efforts are hit by insecurity, weak infrastructure and protests by frontline workers in Ituri. Power Reliability Push: UEDCL says it is upgrading Greater Kampala’s network to cut chronic blackouts for over 80,000 customers, including transformer work and line splitting, after months of public outcry. Health Workforce Shortage: The Ministry of Public Service has ordered annual submission of essential staffing lists to unlock wage recruitment, as radiography leaders warn of severe imaging staff gaps hurting care. Anti-Corruption at Local Level: Gen (Rtd) Katumba Wamala says public servants should not fear Balaam Barugahara’s anti-corruption drive if innocent, urging case-by-case handling. Digital Number Plates Scrutiny: MPs visited Naguru to test how the Digital Number Plate system tracks and recovers stolen vehicles, following earlier capacity concerns. Business & Trade: UMA’s 32nd trade fair opens with heavy discounts and factory-price deals, while Parliament continues oversight on digital and infrastructure reforms. Environment & Enforcement: Police in Kanungu arrest six over illegal gold mining, and NDA steps up monitoring after smuggled veterinary vaccines were seized at Busia.

Regional Diplomacy & Trade: More than 20 heads of state and business leaders are gathering in Egypt’s New Alamein City for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, aiming to link political power with investment in areas like infrastructure, critical minerals, digital innovation and health. Security & Crime: UPDF-replica robbers and URA-jacketed suspects allegedly intercepted a Kombucha sales team on the Iganga-Kaliro road, stealing about Shs5.5m. Parliament & Accountability: MPs visited the Naguru Police Command Centre to assess how the Digital Number Plate system tracks stolen vehicles, while Parliament also gave government two weeks to explain the whereabouts of opposition activist Sam Mugumya and others held incommunicado. Power & Urban Growth: UEDCL says it is upgrading transformers and splitting overloaded lines in Kira and across Greater Kampala to cut outages as demand rises. Health & Policy: Uganda dropped the requirement for travellers to present yellow fever vaccination certificates at entry, and MPs want the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill fast-tracked to ease care for older persons. Social Services: Uganda plans to build a Shs1.4b, 1,700-seater cathedral in Gulu, and a plea-bargain push resolved 132 cases in a week to decongest prisons. Economy & Tourism: Government targets US$5b tourism receipts by 2030, up from about US$1.62b last year.

Aviation & Trade: Jambojet has resumed daily Nairobi–Entebbe flights, using Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, with fares from about Sh22,950 one-way, as Uganda–Kenya travel and business links keep growing. Energy & Regional Integration: President William Ruto played down “rivalry” over East African refineries, saying Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania can each build and still benefit from shared demand; Uganda’s Hoima hotel upgrades also got a boost with Museveni directing release of Shs102bn for Bunyoro Hotel upgrades ahead of AFCON 2027. Health & Safety: An Ebola-infected Doctors Without Borders staffer was evacuated from the DRC to the Netherlands for isolation treatment, while Uganda’s UPHIA 2025 report shows national HIV prevalence at 5.9% with the south-west highest. Governance & Accountability: Parliament’s COSASE suspended a probe after Finance Minister Henry Musasizi failed to appear, stalling questions over a Shs140.4bn Bank of Uganda liability. Culture & Sports: Tooro Kingdom crowned former TV anchor Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as king, and Uganda’s Shadia Nassanga powered the She Cranes to African Netball Championship gold in Nairobi.

Lamu Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote broke ground on a $16bn, 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Kenya’s Lamu, drawing top African leaders including Uganda’s President Museveni and Kenya’s Ruto, with promises of jobs, energy security and regional integration. Uganda Health: Uganda launched a five-day nationwide free measles-rubella vaccination drive for children aged 9 months to under five, aiming to close immunity gaps after outbreaks in multiple districts. Parliament Accountability: Parliament ordered government to account for missing persons including Sam Mugumya, after renewed questions over his whereabouts. Inclusive Education Debate: Government is urged not to erase specialised schools for learners with special needs as inclusive education expands, warning of dropout risks. Regional Trade Deal: Uganda and South Sudan signed a one-stop border crossing agreement to cut delays and costs for cross-border business. Sports Talent: Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira is among six African youth set for the ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge in Sheffield. Road Safety Focus: Kampala’s transport safety debate continues as authorities push tougher action against dangerous mechanical condition commuter taxis.

Dangote Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote and Kenya’s William Ruto broke ground on the $16bn, 700,000-bpd East Africa refinery in Lamu, with Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni among attending leaders, while Dangote blamed local marketers and international oil firms for land-compensation protests and insisted the project will proceed despite court action. Parliament Oversight: Uganda’s Parliament ordered an audit of the Lubowa International Specialised Hospital project after MPs complained about delays, restricted access and limited oversight. National Identity Upgrade: Uganda launched integration of the National ID and tax identification systems, with government saying it will strengthen universal legal identity and improve service delivery. Health Sovereignty: Minister David Bahati inspected Microhaem Scientifics as Uganda steps up local medical manufacturing, including enforcing a 35% import duty on foreign medical products already made locally. Elderly Care Gap: Government says Uganda has only one public geriatric medicine doctor and plans an abridged geriatric curriculum for all medical practitioners. Tourism Finance: Uganda Development Bank urged Eastern Uganda tourism players to use “patient capital” to grow the sector and create jobs beyond just visitor arrivals. Sports & Hosting: CAF inspections show Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are in the final stretch to prepare for AFCON 2027, with stadium and infrastructure testing underway. Politics in Focus: NUP’s Muwanga Kivumbi returned to the political arena after bail, challenging the government to allow fair competition.

Oil & Industry: Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni backed the Lamu $16bn Dangote refinery but said he will not invest in it, insisting Uganda will still push its own “small refinery” in Hoima and even revisiting earlier Tanga talks. Regional Energy Watch: The project is set to process 700,000 barrels per day, while Uganda’s oil sector also faces fresh scrutiny as the EACOP pipeline opening slips to June 2027. Politics & Rights: NUP deputy president Muwanga Kivumbi, released on UGX3m bail after months in detention, vowed to keep speaking even if it sends him back to a “safe house.” Education Policy: Government plans to scrap the per-pupil capitation model and move to a cost-based funding approach aimed at covering real school running costs and reducing headcount fraud. Health & Society: WFP welcomed Ireland’s EUR 4.5m for drought-hit Karamoja school feeding, farmer support, and social protection cash payments. Transport & Costs: Kampala boda boda operators asked Parliament to cut digital motorcycle plate fees, speed up issuance, and provide temporary permits amid registration delays. Culture & Governance: Tooro Kingdom crowned former TV anchor Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I after a succession dispute, with Museveni attending. Sports Media: CANAL+ and CAF secured SuperSport rights for AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers and the tournament.

Tooro Kingdom Succession: Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom crowned former UBC journalist Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as Omukama after the death of Oyo Nyimba, but a legal challenge by Batooro supporters to halt the coronation has shifted to the main case after an interim bid failed in court. Urban Waste Crisis: City leaders across Uganda warn solid waste and drainage are becoming a “time bomb,” citing rapid urban growth, informal dumping, and underfunded municipal budgets, with calls for more flexibility to use locally generated revenue. Digital Access in Kigezi: Kabale Municipality commissioned an ATC-Uganda digital community ICT center at the public library, with local leaders urging expansion to all divisions to meet rising demand from learners. Business & Payments: Verto and Visa launched a multi-currency corporate card for African businesses to spend from existing currency balances and cut FX costs; meanwhile, Uganda’s mobile money debate in the region is also pushing for wallet holders to benefit from returns on deposits. Health & Borders: Canada extended Ebola-linked travel and immigration restrictions affecting Uganda and neighbours until Nov. 27, 2026. Sports: AFCON 2027 qualifiers continue with Matchday 2 fixtures through Oct. 6, with Uganda among host-qualified groups.

Tooro Kingdom Succession: President Museveni presided over the coronation of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, a former TV journalist, as Omukama of Tooro after the death of King Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV, ending a bitter succession dispute; the ceremony at Karuziika Palace included overnight rituals and a mock battle, while lawyers for petitioners said they will press on with the main court challenge after a bid to stop the coronation failed. Culture & Governance: Museveni urged cultural institutions to protect indigenous languages and traditional family values, while the Gender minister called for a review of the cultural institutions law to clarify roles and reduce instability. Parliament & Digital Plates: MPs opened a review of the digital number plate rollout over capacity, shortages, tax revenue losses and concerns about a single company’s role. Health: MoH and UNICEF probe unexplained baby deaths in Kasese and other districts, and new guidelines reassure doctors they can provide emergency post-abortion care without legal harassment. Energy & Regional Trade: Uganda and South Sudan moved closer to power integration with a new 400kv cross-border transmission project. Business & Investment: Soroti officials raised alarm over idle land in the Soroti Industrial Park, while Nabbanja met a British investor to explore opportunities in Uganda.

Election Integrity: Uganda’s High Court declined to revisit MP Mulyanyama’s academic-qualification challenge, but ordered the election petition to proceed, setting a full hearing for Oct. 19-20. Health & Borders: Canada extended Ebola-related travel and immigration restrictions for 60 days to Nov. 27, affecting people from Uganda, South Sudan and DRC. Ebola Update: DRC Ebola cases rose to 8,067 with 3,901 deaths as mistrust and limited treatment capacity hamper control. Cost of Living: Kampala bakers and street vendors are cutting cake sizes as egg prices surge, a “shrinkflation” response to higher input costs. Sports Governance: Uganda’s sports sector gets a governance push as NSC urges federations to embrace accountability to attract investment. Tourism & Conservation: Museveni commissioned Mbale Zoo and unveiled an Elgon conservation strategy, warning environmental degradation could hit tourism. Public Health Research: Makerere leads a €12.7m EU-funded project to strengthen African clinical trials and epidemic preparedness. Road Safety: Uganda’s boda boda accidents drive nearly half of injury cases in health facilities, with severe head trauma care costing up to Shs3m daily. Labour Exports: Uganda earns about $1.6b annually from workers abroad, with Bank of Uganda urging more skills for better-paying jobs.

Uganda-Italy Investment Push: Uganda is set to court Italian capital at the Uganda-Italy Business and Investment Forum in Rome on Oct 13-14, targeting deals in oil and gas, pharma, renewables, agro-processing and manufacturing. Tourism Funding Pressure: On World Tourism Day, FDC argues Uganda’s tourism sector is being held back by weak funding and infrastructure, calling for more support to the Ministry of Tourism, UWA and UTB. Energy Trade Boost: Uganda has technically launched a $254m power line to South Sudan, aiming to open a new corridor for electricity trading and reduce reliance on costly diesel. AFCON Qualifiers: Uganda hosts Libya in Hoima with both sides chasing points in Group H as Matchday 2 kicks off across the continent. Church Scuffle in Abim: A priest and an LC chairperson exchanged blows during an All Saints service, with police considering affray charges. Sports: Uganda’s She Cranes won the Africa Netball Cup, beating South Africa 56-53 in Nairobi. Public Health & Safety: Residents in Tororo demand relocation of a garbage dump site, citing pollution and health risks.

Politics & Rights: Uganda Law Society demands the immediate release of human rights defender Praise Aloikin Opoloje, allegedly abducted from Namungoona Police Station, as authorities face fresh accusations of enforced disappearances. Elections & Governance: Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba says opposition leader Bobi Wine will be “permanently barred” from future elections, a move critics say clashes with constitutional and Electoral Commission roles. Security & Church Affairs: The Church of Uganda clarifies liturgical rules after a scuffle at All Saints Church in Abim that disrupted services, with police launching a probe. Infrastructure & Sports: Kabalega International Airport in Hoima receives its first passenger flights as an AFCON 2027 readiness test; commissioning is now pushed to January. Economy & Health: President Museveni urges Africa to cut medicine import dependence by boosting local manufacturing, echoing AU targets. Food & Climate: East Africa braces for a prolonged food crisis as El Niño risks rise and grain prices climb, with Uganda stepping up emergency deliveries to Karamoja. Digital & Markets: Free internet at Oyam Daily Market is helping traders access online services after a rural broadband rollout. Tourism & Tech: Museveni marks World Tourism Day in Mbale, calling for AI and digital tools to turn online visibility into real bookings.

Clean Cooking Skills Demand: Makerere University Business School (MUBS) says over 500 women and youths applied for 100 slots in Teso for free training in solar installation, briquette production and improved cookstoves, showing fast-growing interest in green energy jobs. Church Tension in Abim: Police are probing a scuffle between a priest and an LC2 chairperson that disrupted Sunday prayers, with claims of links to a land dispute. Tourism Goes Digital: President Museveni marked World Tourism Day in Mbale, urging Uganda to use digital tools and AI to market destinations, book trips and improve visitor experiences. Internet Boost for Traders: Free internet at Oyam Daily Market is already helping vendors access online services after a Rural Community Broadband Network was installed, with digital literacy training underway. Human Rights Alarm: Activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje is reported abducted from Namungoona Police Station, drawing condemnation from rights groups. Aviation Crackdown: Uganda Civil Aviation Authority warns PearlSky it could be kicked out of Entebbe over alleged illegal operations. Ebola Travel Update: UAE has eased visa and entry restrictions for Ugandan nationals after Uganda completed the monitoring period. NSSF Rate Shock: NSSF savers will earn a record 22.53% interest, sparking debate on how it may shift money from other savings products. Gold Export Gaps: URA says it struggles to trace where exported gold comes from, pointing to weak records at artisanal mining sites. Local Government Funding: West Nile leaders demand more timely funding for districts, warning wage-heavy budgets are starving development projects.