AGP Executive Report

Constitutional Governance Under Strain: A new commentary argues Uganda’s recent arrests and legal actions against prominent figures risk weakening institutional independence and the rule of law, with wider implications for Africa and the Commonwealth. Regional Payments Push: PAPSS is highlighted as a practical fix for cross-border trade friction, letting businesses settle in local currencies across participating countries including Uganda—cutting costs and delays tied to dollar routing. Ebola Response Boost: WHO says Bundibugyo Ebola now has its first internationally authorized molecular diagnostic, while a clinical trial (PARTNERS) begins testing therapies in DRC and Uganda; WHO also warns the outbreak has become the largest on record. Kyambogo University Rumour Shut Down: The university dismisses social media claims that it will be closed and converted into a military facility, saying admissions and operations are continuing normally. Uganda–South Africa Migration Fallout: The first group of Ugandan citizens evacuated from xenophobic violence in South Africa has arrived in Entebbe, underscoring the economic and security pressures driving regional labour movement. Coffee Market Watch: Uganda’s coffee exports are reported down year-on-year in May, as global robusta prices react to supply concerns elsewhere. Agri Value Addition Focus: COCOFAR outlines priorities for aggregation, member registration, financing, irrigation, and value addition facilities for coffee and cocoa. Industrial Talent Spotlight: A Ugandan founder wins Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for AI and solar-powered farm tech aimed at cutting post-harvest losses.

Value Addition for Coffee & Cocoa: COCOFAR says it will strengthen aggregation and collective marketing, finish member registration, expand into more districts, and set up coffee and cocoa value-add facilities while mobilising affordable financing and climate-smart irrigation. Agribusiness Exports: Ranchers Finest shipped Uganda’s first processed beef consignment to Ethiopia’s Diamond Hotel and Restaurant Group, starting a monthly supply of about 20 tonnes and pushing the “farm to fork” jobs agenda. Poultry Production Boost: Kakamega began expanding the Butere Hatchery from 12,000 to 100,000 chicks per month using solarisation and modern housing under the World Bank FLLoCA programme. Digital Market Integration: East Africa moved closer to a single digital market after experts approved a harmonised framework for trusted cross-border data flows and stronger personal data protection. Tech Rebrand: Dimension Data Uganda rebranded to NTT DATA, expanding services into AI, cloud, cybersecurity and managed IT for Uganda’s growing digital economy. Public Health Watch: WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing as Uganda reports Marburg concerns amid the wider Ebola strain. Land & Infrastructure Tensions: Arua airfield expansion residents demand faster, transparent valuation and compensation; meanwhile, oil frontier communities in Buliisa still seek resolution after long-ago evictions. Energy, Climate & Industry: Environmental groups backed a legal push against TotalEnergies over climate “vigilance” covering emissions across the value chain, while shipping disruptions from Hormuz closure keep raising costs across logistics and production.

Ebola Watch: Uganda has reported a Marburg virus case in a 1.5-year-old child who has died, as Africa CDC says there are no other active cases—while Uganda’s health ministry is yet to fully align public details, raising concerns for outbreak transparency. Agri-Exports & Jobs: Ranchers Finest has shipped Uganda’s first processed beef consignment to Ethiopia (about 20 tonnes monthly), pushing the “farm to fork” value-add agenda that can create jobs across slaughtering, packaging and logistics. Industrial Performance: Quality Chemical Industries Limited (QCIL) posted record results—Shs56.4bn profit after tax on Shs290bn+ revenue—driven by expanded manufacturing capacity and new product lines. Power & Industry Growth: POWERGRID’s strategy highlights how transmission, BESS and HVDC are becoming central to clean-energy scaling—an approach Uganda’s power planners will watch closely. Skills for Industry: The Presidential Skilling initiative wrapped a six-month free vocational cohort with trainees showcasing work in construction, welding, electrical installation, mechanics and more. Trade & Cost Pressures: Uganda’s regional trade environment remains in flux as import duty changes and gold smuggling risks continue to shape costs and compliance across borders.

EAC Trade & Prices: Uganda’s industrial and consumer landscape could feel knock-on effects as the EAC gazette approves new country-specific import duties affecting items like mobile phones, rice, baby diapers and lithium batteries, with Kenya raising duties on phones and diapers for one year. Mining & Illicit Trade: A UN report says gold smuggling from DR Congo’s Ituri province into Uganda is rising, pointing to gaps between Uganda’s declared production and export figures—an issue that can disrupt legitimate mineral value chains. Ebola Economic Shock: UNDP warns the DRC Ebola outbreak could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and push nearly 1 million more people into poverty, with spillovers to Uganda through trade, transport and border controls. Health Security in Uganda: Uganda has detected its first Marburg case since 2017, prompting a US travel advisory and highlighting how outbreaks can quickly affect cross-border business travel and operations. Insurance for Industry: Britam Insurance Uganda launches flexible instalment payments for comprehensive motor cover, aiming to make business and fleet insurance more affordable. Tourism Investment Push: Uganda offers a three-year income tax holiday for qualifying tourism start-ups to attract private investment and jobs. AFCON 2027 Readiness: President Museveni pledges full government support for Uganda’s co-hosting of AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, including backing a common East African entry visa to ease movement for fans and teams.

Ebola & Industry Shock: UNDP warns the DRC Ebola outbreak (now past 1,000 cases) could push nearly 985,000 more people into poverty, wipe out tens of thousands of jobs, and disrupt education, healthcare, food security and trade across the region, with Uganda named among the hardest-hit neighbours. Health Tech for Frontlines: OraSure says it has submitted to the US FDA for emergency use of its next-gen OraQuick Ebola 2.0 rapid test, aimed at faster, more reliable diagnosis for outbreak response. Uganda’s Cross-Border Risk: The US issued a Level 4 travel advisory to Uganda after Uganda detected its first Marburg case since 2017, highlighting how filovirus scares can spill into logistics and business travel. Regional Trade Pressure: Uganda’s sugar makers are challenging Kenya’s 300%+ excise duty hike on imported sugar, warning it could hit Uganda’s export earnings and strain EAC trade integration. Uganda Transport & Logistics: Uganda budgeted UGX 8.79tn for transport, including support for Uganda Airlines and the operationalisation of Kabalega International Airport to back oil, gas, tourism and trade. Power Tariff Debate: A new analysis argues Africa’s electricity tariff problem is not just price, but whether consumers pay for efficient power versus losses, debt, weak governance and poor planning. Infrastructure Finance: Uganda signed a €110.5m Standard Chartered deal to build a 115.8km road in Karamoja, framed as a trade and investment unlock for an industrial corridor.

Ebola’s Economic Shock: UNDP warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is turning into a development and jobs crisis, potentially pushing 985,000 more people into poverty and costing Africa up to $3.6bn, with women hit hardest as travel and trade restrictions disrupt livelihoods and services. Regional Health Pressure: Health agencies report DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola toll at 1,274 confirmed cases and 360 deaths, with Uganda also recording cases and fears of further spread. Transport for Industry: Uganda signed a €110.5m deal with Standard Chartered to build a 115.8km road in Karamoja, aiming to unlock trade, investment and industrial activity in a resource-rich corridor. Agribusiness Investment: Kenya unveiled a Sh1.081trn agri-food systems plan (NASIP 2026–2030) to drive crops, livestock, irrigation, agro-processing, research and agricultural finance. Local Health Support: Reach A Hand Africa donated Shs137m in medical equipment to 15 facilities in Kasese and Bunyangabu, including family planning upgrades and transport support. Parliament Oversight Push: Uganda’s Speaker Oboth-Oboth says he redirected Sh10bn from the Office of the Speaker to fund parliamentary committees to strengthen scrutiny and curb corruption. Insurance Awareness Gap: An opinion piece notes Uganda’s insurance premiums rose to Shs1.76trn in 2024, but penetration remains low, leaving many households and firms exposed when crises hit. Music Heritage Deal: UMG East Africa acquired Melodica’s classic catalogue for digitisation and re-release, preserving East Africa’s 1980s-era sound. Pharma Growth Signal: Quality Chemicals Industries Limited reported strong results, with revenue up to over Shs290bn and profit after tax rising to Shs56.4bn, as it expands manufacturing and product lines.

Ebola Watch: DRC’s Bundibugyo outbreak is surging past 1,000 cases, with no licensed vaccine or cure yet; Uganda reports 20 confirmed cases and 2 deaths, while experts warn spillover risk to neighbours like South Sudan. Cost of Crisis: The UN says the outbreak could drain Africa up to $3.6bn and threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs if it spreads beyond Congo and Uganda. Uganda’s Road to Industry: Uganda secured €110.5m (Shs481bn) for the 115.8km Kitgum–Kidepo Road to cut transport costs and connect farmers, tourism and mineral investment. Agri Resilience Tech: Government launched Skeepon Technology, a Japanese crop biostimulant, to help farmers protect yields during drought, heat and unreliable rainfall. Clean Cooking Growth: QCIL posted strong pharma results, while Uganda’s clean-cooking firms like Elsmart and Enersave keep scaling improved stoves and cleaner energy solutions. Energy Access Pressure: A global report warns Uganda must make electricity more affordable as 655m people worldwide still lack power, with Sub-Saharan Africa worst hit. Procurement Crackdown: Uganda’s PPDA suspended three firms from public contracts over ethical breaches, targeting alleged rogue suppliers. Media Freedom Under Fire: Amnesty and international lawmakers condemned Uganda’s military shutdown and arrests of independent media, raising pressure on security ties.

Clean Nutrition Innovation: Bugema University nutrition lab technician Irumva Gad is turning locally available eggs, mukene and even cornsilk into cheaper nutrition products aimed at tackling Uganda’s malnutrition and poor diet quality. Ebola Cost Shock: The UN warns the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and trigger major job losses if urgent action isn’t taken, with Uganda reporting spillover cases. Public Finance Watch: The World Bank cautions Uganda on fiscal management and says human capital spending needs to be scaled up sharply to support the Tenfold Growth Strategy. Agric-Financing Boost: Pearl Bank and France’s AFD have formalised a €15m (Sh60bn) concessional credit line plus technical support to expand agricultural MSMEs, smallholders and SACCOs. Clean Cooking Scale-Up: Enersave Enterprises (supported through Results-Based Financing with Equity Bank and GIZ EnDev) is scaling electric pressure cookers and other clean cooking tech across 30 districts; similar growth stories highlight Elsmart and Mubende Stoves’ manufacturing push. Energy & Trade: Kenya and Rwanda signed agreements to move Rwanda’s fuel imports via Kenya’s Port of Mombasa and pipeline network, with Uganda mentioned in the logistics corridor. Policy & Business Climate: Government says it will back MSMEs to drive growth, while PPDA suspends three firms from public procurement over ethical breaches. Ecosystem Pressure: FAO flags a widening fish supply gap across Africa, raising food security and nutrition concerns. Regional Border Skills: A four-week capacity programme at Elegu is training cross-border traders to improve compliance and market access. Governance Tension: Museveni’s endorsement of Nakivubo Channel redevelopment sparks a clash with Kampala leadership over legality and flood safety.

Xenophobia & Repatriation: Uganda says it will evacuate citizens from South Africa using charter flights as xenophobic violence and vigilante threats intensify ahead of a June 30 deadline, with 746 already registered to return. Ebola Response & Health Security: Africa CDC reports DRC Ebola cases have climbed to 1,274 with 96 healthcare workers infected, while Uganda is also seeing spillover cases; Uganda and partners have launched a continental incident management support team at Makerere to speed coordination. Agri-Food Finance: A major Africa food finance summit opens in Nairobi to tackle a $100bn annual agriculture financing gap, as food insecurity and climate shocks push up prices across the region. Industrial & Energy Moves: Blencowe Resources picks a 100-acre site near Gulu for downstream graphite processing, citing access to power and water; Uganda also faces a governance challenge in electricity access despite rising generation. Manufacturing & Trade Policy: Uganda’s sugar exporters are alarmed by Kenya’s 300%+ excise duty on imported sugar, warning of job losses and weaker EAC trade. Governance & Finance for Cooperatives: Government tasks Walimu Sacco’s board to recover over Shs11bn in dormant teachers’ loan defaults and revive active savings operations. Media & Public Trust: Uganda’s military siege on Nation Media Group outlets raises fresh concerns about press freedom and political direction.

Ebola Response Boost: Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda launched a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) at Makerere University to coordinate faster, country-led action as the Bundibugyo Ebola response continues. Humanitarian Logistics: WFP used its Entebbe hub to run six flights and move 520 tonnes of Ebola relief supplies into DRC, keeping frontline partners stocked. Cross-Border Trade Pressure: Uganda protested Kenya’s 300% sugar import levy, warning it could price Ugandan millers out of the Kenyan market and disrupt jobs and EAC integration. Rail Infrastructure Financing: Uganda is nearing financial close for its €2.7bn SGR expansion after IsDB support, while Kenya’s extension funding remains unclear and not structured as a PPP. Energy Access Drive: World Bank-backed Mission 300 reported progress but stressed that nearly 600 million Africans still lack electricity, with implementation pace and partnerships key. Livestock Health Alert: Suspected Foot-and-Mouth Disease cases were reported in multiple counties, triggering vaccination campaigns to protect pastoral livelihoods. Media Freedom Shock: Gen. Muhoozi agreed to reopen Nation Media Group outlets after a military raid shut NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor, reversing a major press-freedom crisis. Teachers’ Sacco Recovery: Government tasked Walimu Sacco’s board to recover over Shs11bn in dormant teachers’ loan defaults and revive inactive Saccos. Xenophobia Evacuation: Uganda begins evacuating citizens from South Africa via charter flights ahead of a June 30 deadline as xenophobic violence escalates.

Media Freedom Under Pressure: Uganda’s military raided Nation Media Group Uganda in Kampala early Sunday, cutting power and shutting down NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM and Dembe FM, with the group saying it will keep serving audiences online while offices remain inaccessible. Public Health Infrastructure: Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda launched a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team at Makerere University to coordinate faster, country-led responses to the Ebola outbreak across Uganda, DR Congo and at-risk neighbours. Energy Cost Crunch: A global report warns 655 million people still lack electricity, urging Uganda to make power affordable, expand rural electrification and scale clean cooking to meet SDG 7. Tax and Business Costs: Uganda’s new FY2026/27 budget introduces higher excise duties, including diesel and petrol by 200 per litre, plus changes affecting alcohol, motorcycles and single-use plastics—raising pressure on consumer prices and operators. SME/Workforce Tech: Radiant diGiLog rolled out an AI workforce management platform across Uganda and other markets to replace paper and WhatsApp tracking with attendance, task execution and productivity reporting. Agribusiness & Trade: Uganda’s participation in the Khorfakkan Mango Festival in the UAE highlighted mango value-add and entrepreneurship, with organisers expanding exhibition space by 70% after strong turnout.

Excise Duty Shock: Uganda’s FY2026/27 budget introduces tougher excise duty moves, including higher diesel and petrol charges, increased motorcycle registration excise, and new levies on single-use plastics—raising the odds of higher operating and transport costs for industry. Energy Affordability Alarm: A new global SDG7 energy report says 655 million people worldwide still lack electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa worst hit; Uganda is urged to make power cheaper, expand rural electrification, and scale clean cooking to hit 2030 targets. Rail Corridor Push: Uganda has secured about $1.2bn to expand the Standard Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba, with construction expected to start within 12 months—promising faster cross-border trade even as Kenya’s plans face delays. Construction Cost Pressure: Engineers warn higher construction costs as the budget adds a new levy on cement (about Shs 250 per 50kg bag), squeezing infrastructure affordability. Project Risk Cover: ICIEC insures Uganda’s Akii-Bua Stadium project with $65m (Shs236bn) in supplier-credit cover, supporting delivery ahead of AFCON 2027. Oil Milestone: Uganda is on track for first crude oil exports in October 2026 as the Kingfisher project nears completion, with major investments tied to Tilenga and EACOP. Climate & Community: Equity Bank and My Tree Initiative back tree planting in Mpigi to boost climate resilience. Education Strain: Kisima II Island in Jinja reports child-headed families driving school dropout as parents abandon children. Agri Innovation Spotlight: Uganda’s young engineers win gold and honours at the International Greenwich Olympiad in London, including a fruit-picking robot and low-cost farming solution.

Oil & Industry Milestone: Uganda is set to start crude oil exports in October 2026 as CNOOC Uganda reports Kingfisher’s Central Processing Facility 99% complete and commissioning at 74%, with 22 of 31 production wells ready—an investment push topping $12bn across Kingfisher, Tilenga and EACOP. Construction Costs & Policy: The 2026/27 budget introduces a new cement levy (about Shs 250 per 50kg bag), adding pressure to already high building costs, with engineers warning of further increases. Infrastructure Finance: Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira has secured Shs 236bn (about $65m) insurance cover from ICIEC to protect supplier credit under a government guarantee, supporting the 2027 AFCON-linked project. Tax & Excise Signals: As FY 2026/27 nears, Uganda’s excise duty changes include higher diesel/petrol rates and increases on spirits and motorcycle excise at first registration. Skills & Industrial Hubs: State House staff completed a leadership and ideological orientation course, with emphasis on integrity and vocational skills for managers of Presidential Industrial Hubs and finance officers. Regional Trade Payments: Afreximbank flags rising use of PAPSS for local-currency cross-border trade to cut dollar/euro dependence and support AfCFTA-driven industrialisation. Ebola Watch: Uganda reports 20 confirmed Ebola cases and two deaths as Africa CDC pushes border and facility readiness across the region amid a fast-moving DRC outbreak. Agri Value Addition: Parliament Speaker Oboth backs coffee and cocoa as household poverty solutions in Bukedi, urging better farming practices and cooperatives. Student Mobility Integrity: GAIEC urges students seeking overseas education to use accredited, regulated agents to avoid fraud and costly mistakes. Food & Health Messaging: Ghana media leaders are urged to push mandatory front-of-pack warning labels as ultra-processed foods drive rising diet-related illness.

Ebola Response: The US CDC activated its highest Ebola response level and shipped experimental treatments as DRC cases surged past 1,100; Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases, while Africa CDC pushes for faster treatment centres and cross-border readiness. Coffee & Cocoa Push: Parliament Speaker Jacob Oboth launched a Bukedi coffee and cocoa household poverty initiative, urging farmers to adopt better practices and cooperatives for market power. Uganda Coffee Branding: Uganda unveiled its first national coffee brand, “Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature,” aiming to boost buyer confidence and EU market access. Vanilla Harvest Rules: Uganda declared a vanilla harvest window (June 29–Sept 29) and warned against premature picking to protect quality and export competitiveness. Engineering for Public Trust: UIPE launched “The UIPE Voice” to bring engineering and infrastructure discussions to the public. Insurance Growth: Uganda’s insurance sector crossed Shs 2 trillion in gross written premiums in 2025, led by life and microinsurance expansion. Clean Cooking & Waste: Reports warn Africa’s clean cooking access is slipping and highlight unregulated waste management as a climate injustice in West Nile. Payments for Trade: Afreximbank says PAPSS and local currency settlement are accelerating intra-African trade and reducing dollar dependence. Digital Travel Perks: Mastercard rolled out Priceless Africa, including Uganda, to offer curated travel experiences for cardholders. Tree Planting Drive: Equity Bank Uganda and My Tree Initiative planted 1,500 trees in Mpigi to support climate resilience.

Ebola Response & Funding: Africa CDC says the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is surging (over 1,155 cases, 304 deaths) and warns it could become the largest ever unless contact tracing and treatment capacity scale fast; the UN also released $8m to boost preparedness in Burundi and South Sudan as cross-border risk rises. Ebola Hits Europe: France confirmed its first Ebola case in a doctor returning from the DRC, with isolation and contact tracing underway. Uganda Vanilla Industry: Uganda sets the Season A vanilla harvest window for June 29–Sept 29, warning farmers and traders against premature picking to protect quality and vanillin content. Coffee Branding: Uganda launches its first national coffee brand, “Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature,” aiming to strengthen quality systems and EU market access. SME & Finance Push: Government urges MSMEs to formalize to access financing and support, while Equity Bank and partners launch the 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey to help monetize innovation and value addition. Energy & Power Governance: Stanbic urges schools to go solar to cut operating costs as Uganda’s electricity access still faces reliability and governance gaps. Engineering & Public Communication: UIPE launches “The UIPE Voice” to bring engineering and infrastructure discussions closer to the public. Insurance Sector Watch: Uganda’s insurance industry hits Shs 2tn in 2025 premiums, but brokers warn governance gaps and delayed claims are eroding public trust.

SME & Finance Push: Equity Bank Uganda, with KPMG and NMG, launched the 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey to help SMEs “monetize” growth through innovation, value addition and market expansion, reinforcing financing and governance support for enterprise scaling. Energy Governance & Rural Power: A new analysis argues Uganda’s electricity problem is now governance, not generation—highlighting dangerous, unreliable rural connections and calling for decentralised planning so local governments can meet community energy needs. Tax Changes for Workers: Uganda’s PAYE adjustments take effect next week, raising the tax-free threshold to Shs 335,000 and easing some middle-income bands—small relief for employees but a fresh compliance cycle for payroll systems. Ebola’s Industrial Shock: As DRC Ebola spreads into Uganda, authorities report containment progress but warn of cross-border risk and economic disruption, with tourism and trade hit by fear and cancellations. Value Addition in Agriculture: President Museveni backed an Egyptian investment plan for a modern Ngoma dairy processing facility, aiming to improve milk collection, mechanise processing and boost exports of value-added dairy. Coffee Branding: Uganda launched its first national coffee brand—Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature—positioning the country for premium origin marketing and stronger EU market compliance. Trade & Logistics: Kenya–Uganda SGR plans are set to boost cargo volumes via Mombasa by cutting transit time and freight costs, strengthening regional trade links. SME Formalisation Drive: Government urged MSMEs to formalise to access financing and markets, pointing to tools like EFRIS, online registration and One-Stop Business Centres. Agribusiness Pest Threat: Kitgum farmers face major pawpaw losses from an invasive mealybug, with traditional controls dominating and yields dropping sharply. Digital Growth: CANAL+ and Samsung extended DStv Stream pre-installation on Samsung Smart TVs across key African markets, including Uganda, expanding access to major sports and local content.