AGP Executive Report

Digital Connectivity: GSMA says Kenya and 10 other African states, including Uganda, are set to phase out 2G and 3G by 2030 as operators push 4G/5G to narrow the internet gap. NSSF Money: Uganda’s National Social Security Fund reports a record 22.53% interest payout, crediting members with Shs 5.44tn, driven by both cash returns and valuation gains. Health & Immunisation: Uganda launches a nationwide measles-rubella catch-up campaign for 7.4m children from Oct 1–5, with MPs, cultural and religious leaders pledging to mobilise parents. Refugee Crisis in Nakivale: In Nakivale camp, refugees report rising drinking-water shortages and hygiene fears; police also investigate the death of a child found after going missing on the way home from school. Environment & Tourism: Studies show Uganda’s long-term tree planting in Kibale is reaching near-primary forest canopy and diversity after about 20 years, while World Gorilla Day highlights gorilla tourism earnings of over Shs 398.8bn in four years. Agribusiness Innovation: Young Ugandan innovators win 205m/- in catalytic financing under AYuTe Africa Challenge, backing tech-driven solutions for farmers and value chains.

Higher Education & Jobs: Uganda’s Muni University has won the inaugural Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, as universities are urged to redesign courses around employers and turn research into jobs and businesses, with $500m pledged for reforms across Africa. Public Safety Cooperation: Uganda and Denmark are exploring a government-to-government framework to strengthen firefighting, fire prevention and emergency rescue after a technical visit to Danish institutions. Local Government Watch: Finance Minister Henry Musasizi says absenteeism, weak supervision and failure to return unspent wage funds are hurting service delivery in local governments. Economy & Debt: Uganda’s public debt jumped to $37.1bn and debt-to-GDP rose to 54.3% as domestic borrowing rose to cover a budget deficit. NSSF Savings Boost: NSSF declared a record 22.53% interest rate for members’ savings, after strong income and asset growth. Health & Facilities: Kawolo General Hospital’s private wing is highlighted as a rare bright spot amid wider hospital underfunding. Conservation: Communities near Bwindi planted trees to reduce pressure on gorilla habitat ahead of World Gorilla Day. Sports & Culture: Uganda’s AFCON 2027 preparations continue as higher education reforms and local creative coverage gain momentum.

UN Politics & Opposition: Winnie Byanyima says she met Kenya’s President William Ruto at UNGA, backing his local medical manufacturing push and raising Kizza Besigye’s continued detention after his 2024 Nairobi abduction controversy. Health & Investment: Uganda will invest Shs 180bn in PET scan and nuclear medicine capacity at Uganda Cancer Institute, with the first PET machine expected to be functional by year-end. Disaster Readiness: The Prime Minister’s office urges a shift from disaster response to early, forecast-based action under an Anticipatory Action Roadmap. Ebola Watch: WHO reports encouraging signs in DRC’s Ebola outbreak, but Nigeria has intensified surveillance after new case and death figures. Trade & Jobs: Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation targets growth beyond government printing after securing ISO 9001:2015 certification. Land & Governance: A fresh dispute over Kampala’s City Square ownership lands in Parliament, with claims of a 49-year sublease and a long-running liability fight involving Bank of Uganda guarantees. Education: UNEB releases the 2026 exam timetable for 1.63m candidates, with PLE, UCE and UACE set to begin next month. Culture & Youth: Alur Kingdom calls for restoring youth “fireside” gatherings to curb teenage pregnancy.

UNGA & regional politics: Uganda’s Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi faced tough questions on LGBTQ healthcare access at a UN General Assembly side event, defending Uganda’s anti-homosexuality law as rooted in African culture. Courts & democracy: Election petitions are flooding Uganda’s courts, with 346 challenges from the 2026 parliamentary and Local Council polls now before judges and magistrates. Housing & planning: Government says it will start marking older buildings in Kampala for possible redevelopment, warning owners to expect enforcement of physical planning standards. Education: UNEB registered a record 1.63m candidates for 2026 exams, up 14.9%, as it warns against fake papers and malpractice. Climate & health: WHO classifies El Niño’s health impact in Africa as a Grade Three emergency, with Uganda among high-risk countries for disease outbreaks and malnutrition. Parliament capacity: Speaker Jacob Oboth moves to revive the Institute of Parliamentary Studies with Germany support for training and exchanges. Sports: AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off Thursday, with Uganda in Group H and the tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Fuel Diplomacy: President Museveni backtracks on harsh remarks about Kenya’s G-to-G fuel deal, saying media distorted his comments while crediting Ruto for stopping “middlemen” exploitation. Public Health & Regulation: UNEB is considering higher exam registration fees as costs rise, while the Ministry of Health orders the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda to stop issuing annual practising licences, saying licensing powers belong to the Pharmacy Board and Registrar. Kampala Waste Crisis: KCCA says it has received no official order to stop dumping at Buyala landfill, even as government rethinks the waste plan after Museveni raised safety concerns. Health Workforce Planning: The Health Service Commission warns hospitals are losing wage funds and leaving vacancies unfilled due to late, inconsistent recruitment requests. Technology for Care: AI firm Anthropic and OpenEvidence plan free clinical decision support in about 100 low- and middle-income countries, including Uganda. Sports & Culture: Museveni confirmed as chief guest for Prince Nyabongo’s Tooro coronation; Tooro succession tensions also surfaced over a child left behind abroad. Business & Security: KCB and Jubilee launch bancassurance to expand insurance access, as cybersecurity is flagged as a growing business risk.

Ebola & Health Security: Africa CDC boss Jean Kaseya urged Uganda and the region to start making vaccines locally as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak continues to hit Uganda, DRC, Rwanda and Burundi, with a Bundibugyo vaccine still awaiting results. Immigration & Human Impact: Canada’s Ebola travel ban has disrupted Congolese families in Canada-linked communities, with critics calling it “torture” and questioning why quarantine and testing options aren’t allowed. Diplomacy & Security: Uganda suspended all defence cooperation with Turkey, with reports linking the move to wider tensions over Uganda’s Somalia deployment and Turkey’s growing security role. Digital Skills & Youth: MTN Foundation graduated 305 trainees in Kampala, bringing the Internet Bus programme to over 6,700 learners trained in digital and financial literacy. Environment & Flood Risk: NEMA launched a research and innovation grant scheme for environmental solutions, while Uganda warned South Sudan to prepare for possible Nile flooding as Lake Victoria levels rise. Business & Tourism: Banyan Group acquired a majority stake in Newmark Hotels & Reserves, expanding its African hospitality footprint, while WTM Africa 2027 buyer registration opened for April 2027 in Cape Town. Finance & Payments: Pride Bank partnered with Interswitch to roll out Quickteller agency banking and Verve debit cards across Uganda. Sports & AFCON: AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off with Uganda among hosts, as the continent awaits a final decision on the last title decider.

Football & Youth Awards: Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, now at Manchester City, is making waves after a standout Champions League start—two of the five MENA youngsters are already in the running for the 2026 Kopa Trophy. Global Diplomacy: UN leaders opened the annual General Assembly amid wars, economic strain and a shifting world order, with diplomats warning the world is in “massive turmoil.” Food Security & Innovation: Africa’s tech boom is growing, but hunger and food insecurity remain—calls are renewed for coordinated investment in agrifood innovation and resilience. Energy Deals: NJ Ayuk urged stakeholders to show up with projects and capital for African Energy Week in Cape Town, as the continent pushes for bankable execution. Uganda Refugees: Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa appealed to the EU for more funding, saying Uganda’s refugee plan needs about $850m but only 12% is covered, hurting health and education services. Digital Connectivity: GSMA and PDAA launched a roadmap to close Africa’s mobile internet usage gap and connect one billion people by 2030. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of a new malware campaign spreading via torrent trackers disguised as popular films, with victims including Uganda. Sports & AFCON Build-up: Pitso Mosimane begins his second Bafana stint with key 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. Wildlife: A live fence killed Kenya’s tracked pangolin Naserian, highlighting the deadly threat of electrified boundaries.

Football & Funding: Uganda’s top-flight clubs got a historic boost after Government extended a direct subvention to the Uganda Premier League for the first time, with officials urging clubs to use the money properly. Refugees & EU Support: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa told EU lawmakers Uganda needs more help as it hosts over 2 million refugees, warning a funding gap is straining public services and host communities. Education Reform: The Ministry of Education reaffirmed teacher education reform ahead of ITEC 2026, pushing better training, professionalisation and ongoing support for teachers. Agribusiness & Exports: Equity’s trade mission highlighted Uganda’s value-add push, with investors touring coffee and manufacturing firms seeking financing and market access. Debt Watch: Bank of Uganda warned public debt has climbed to Shs 137.4 trillion, stressing risks from heavy domestic borrowing. Security & Diplomacy: UPDF suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye over unresolved issues tied to dissident Fred Lumbuye. Regional Climate Risk: South Sudan warned of possible riverine flooding as Lake Victoria levels rise, with communities urged to prepare. EACOP Update: EACOP hit 92.7% completion, with line filling set for December and first exports expected in February 2027. Health & Society: Freedom House rated Uganda “Not Free,” citing worsening rights for LGBTQI+ people and political opposition.

Fuel Deal Fallout: President Museveni says Kenyan former MP Cyrus Jirongo tipped him off in 2019 about Uganda’s fuel middlemen, leading to a later shift to a new arrangement with UNOC and a global trader—while Kenya’s energy ministry defends the G-to-G model as a dollar-stability measure. Agriculture Coordination: Government says ministries must stop working in silos as Uganda pushes agricultural transformation under the CAADP agenda. Health Workforce Plan: Ministry of Health is considering taking over recruitment of health workers from districts to curb absenteeism and improve deployment. El Niño Funding Gap: OPM says a costed El Niño preparedness plan exists but lacks funding, leaving limited ability to pre-position relief. Diplomatic-Military Tensions: UPDF suspends all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye after a diplomatic row that also saw protests at the Turkish embassy over dissident Fred Lumbuye. Fisheries Rights: Wakiso fisheries officials threaten to quit, alleging UPDF assaults and protection of illegal fishing on Lake Victoria. Education Access: Activists urge Parliament to make sign language compulsory in all schools. Local Development & Culture: Kigezi Diocese plans to turn the East African Revival centre into a faith-based tourism site; Tooro’s coronation fundraising targets Shs925m. Business & Innovation: Standard Chartered Foundation backs five women-led tech firms with Sh185m.

Disability & Education: UNAD activists want Parliament to pass a law making sign language taught in all schools, saying deaf learners drop out due to lack of interpreters and sign language teachers. Health Workforce: Government is considering taking over recruitment of health workers from districts to curb absenteeism and improve deployment to underserved areas. Patient Safety: WHO warns that people with non-communicable diseases face preventable harm in care, as Uganda continues debating the delayed cancer diagnosis that preceded the late Tooro King Oyo’s death. Governance & Integrity: IGG warns police officers against charging money for free police bonds, saying extortion risks investigation and prosecution. Infrastructure & Land: Works and Transport Minister orders encroachers to vacate Koboko’s Arumaji airfield land for expansion to airport status, with no compensation. Business & Women: Standard Chartered Foundation backs five women-led tech startups with Sh185m to scale up. Sports & Culture: Tooro coronation preparations for King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I get Sh925m fundraising push for Sept. 29. Regional/Global: UK lists 73 countries whose citizens need an airport transit visa, including Uganda; Ebola coverage highlights ongoing lessons from DRC.

Fuel Politics: President Museveni says Uganda stopped buying fuel from Kenya over “deceit,” calling the G2G deal a “government-to-middlemen” scam—sparking fresh calls for audits and raising uncertainty around Uganda’s fuel logistics plans. Lake Victoria Logistics: Museveni has rejected transporting petroleum across Lake Victoria, putting the Shs393bn Mukula-linked lake fuel logistics project in limbo after it was previously launched as a safer, cheaper alternative. Court Update: Uganda’s Supreme Court upheld 20-year murder sentences for Police Constable Ashraf Jaden and Sandrah Nakkungu over the killing of Kasiwukira. Local Governance & Markets: Busia authorities ordered closure of two fish firms over licence irregularities, while Soroti leaders say an AfDB-funded Shs18bn MATIP facility has sat idle. Public Services & Rights: UCC urges tech firms to put public trust at the centre of cybersecurity, and Agago warns teachers against chasing learners over PTA payments. Health & Safety: West Nile virus is spreading further in Europe, and an OpEd argues DRC Ebola coverage is driven by hype. Sports & Afcon 2027: CAF boss Patrice Motsepe warns co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to accelerate stadium testing—no postponement. Community & Culture: Walk for Water raises funds for Uganda wells; Patty Wangu readies her debut EP; AirQo makes Earthshot Prize finalist list.

Afcon 2027 Readiness: CAF boss Patrice Motsepe tells Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to move with “heightened urgency,” stressing stadiums must be used for testing from January and there’s “no plan B” or postponement. Food Safety in Karamoja: Consumers in Moroto/Karamoja question the safety of vegetables imported from other regions, citing limited info on farming chemicals and controls after reports of stomach problems. Digital Trust & Cybersecurity: UCC urges tech firms to treat public trust as the real measure of cybersecurity—faster fixes, better containment and quicker service restoration matter most. Education Payments: Agago warns teachers not to send learners home over unpaid PTA contributions, clarifying UPE support and protecting children’s right to attend school. Housing & TVET: Government plans to make lower-level TVET free, while a housing story highlights how many Ugandans build homes “one stage at a time” without bank mortgages. Health & Infrastructure: Lubowa ISHU contractor says MPs were denied access for safety and insurance reasons, while Soroti Regional Referral Hospital faces a major staffing deficit. Mining Value Addition: Mineral Development State Minister Nyamutoro says Uganda must turn raw mineral extraction into jobs, processing and industrial capacity. Business & Environment: Ugandan-founded AirQo makes Earthshot Prize finalists; Fine Spinners adds $5m machinery for pan-African textile expansion. Roads & Flooding: Kampala road flooding and an unattended pothole near Shell Capital disrupt traffic and business, with calls for urgent drainage and repairs.

Digital Finance: Ecobank Uganda launched an Electronic Merchant Cash Advance (eMCA) giving eligible merchants up to Shs70m working capital based on POS, web and QR transaction history, with repayment automatically deducted within 30 days. Education Policy: Government is professionalising pre-primary teaching under the ECCE Policy 2025, requiring qualified, registered and licensed teachers and registered centres. Local Infrastructure: Wakiso District seeks more road funding as urbanisation and population growth strain district roads, with plans to improve road durability using murrum. Tourism Economy: Uganda Wildlife Authority reports gorilla tourism revenue hit Shs110b in 2025/26 as gorilla numbers rise, after a dip linked to negative travel advisories. Anti-Corruption: Bududa RDC Juliet Namara was arrested over alleged UPDF recruitment bribery, with orders to refund Shs1m before further investigations. Business & Trade: Bankers back alternative financing to drive Uganda’s $500bn economy goal, while Equity’s trade roadshow highlights manufacturing investment interest. Security & Justice: Police arrested 12 teens over a video-recorded assault on a fellow student near Kibuli Mosque.

Digital Power in Africa: Harare’s Hub Unconference returns Sept 24-25 to probe “Unruly Algorithms” and how AI is reshaping how young Africans learn, create and consume information. Ebola Watch (DRC): Doctors Without Borders says Congo’s Ebola is not truly subsiding, but shifting to provinces with weaker response capacity, keeping national risk high. UN Leadership Race: The UN Security Council holds another informal poll for the next secretary-general as eight candidates vie for support, with veto politics still a major hurdle. Uganda Health Tech: Government says Uganda’s first PET scan facility will be operational by end of year after a Shs180b allocation for a global-standard PET and nuclear medicine centre. Fuel Security & Policy: Museveni flags off a 320-million-litre Kampala Storage Terminal and rules out transporting petroleum across Lake Victoria, citing spill risks. Economy & Trade: Uganda shilling weakens as oil prices rise and dollar inflows fall; KRA also intercepts a multi-million tax smuggling scheme on the Uganda-Kenya route. Local Governance & Rights: Women are urged to own property and land while staying humble, as Uganda continues to push against cultural barriers to women’s land rights. Sport: CAF backs East Africa’s AFCON 2027 co-host plan, insisting there is no “plan B.”

EAC Investment Push: East Africa’s CEO forum in Nairobi warned that non-tariff barriers, fragmented rules, high energy costs and weak industrial links are still blocking deeper regional trade and investment. Kampala Flood Relief: ISO has verified only 737 genuine traders for the Sh20bn Kampala flood cash relief, with a public display of names for two weeks before payments start. Housing Crisis Response: Government says Uganda needs 2.48 million homes and will lean on developers, banks and investors as UREHE 2026 nears, promoting faster and cheaper building options. Fuel Security Move: Uganda broke ground for a US$310m, 320-million-liter petroleum storage terminal in Mpigi to boost strategic reserves and supply reliability. Informal Workers’ Savings: URBRA licensed a retirement savings scheme for informal workers, to be launched by President Museveni on Sept 19. Health & Safety: Seven facilities received neonatal equipment to cut newborn deaths, while government warned communities to vacate disaster-prone areas ahead of El Niño rains. Sports & Tourism: CAF chief Motsepe dismissed “misinformation” on AFCON 2027 plans as co-hosts face an “emergency” with nine months left; Uganda also promoted tourism in Zurich via trams and digital screens.

Health & Nutrition: Seven health facilities in northern and eastern Uganda received neonatal equipment—CPAP machines, monitors, radiant warmers and Kangaroo Mother Care wraps—aimed at cutting over 30,000 newborn deaths annually. Governance & Accountability: An Otuke councillor accused of taking Shs5m cattle restocking compensation meant for his 112-year-old grandmother has been ordered arrested by the State Minister for Economic Monitoring. Education & Jobs: Government warned TVET bosses against training for skills the market doesn’t need, pushing closer alignment with employer demand. Innovation & Industry: Science Minister Jonard Asiimwe told Makerere to turn prototypes into market-ready products, businesses and jobs—not just research outputs. AFCON 2027: CAF boss Patrice Motsepe dismissed “Plan B” talk, saying Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will host as planned, with a joint visa arrangement expected; the opening match venue is still undecided. Energy & Infrastructure: President Museveni inaugurated the US$310m Kampala Storage Terminal in Mpigi, targeting 320 million litres of petroleum storage. Public Health (Region): Eastern DR Congo continues to battle cholera alongside Ebola, with treatment centres in Bukavu reporting constant new arrivals. Sports & Economy: Uganda Railways moved 1,840 tonnes of steel plates from Mombasa to Tororo for the Devki steel plant, supporting a $500m project.