AGP Executive Report

Poverty Graduation in Practice: New trials on Uganda’s DREAMS programme show entrepreneurship support plus market access can cut extreme poverty among refugees and host communities, lifting monthly consumption by 17% and more than doubling savings, with gains in assets across West Nile. Solar Irrigation Finance: Parliament approved a €168.9m loan for Phase II of solar-powered irrigation to boost coffee production, covering 4,768 acres and 2,562 households, though lawmakers criticised oversight gaps due to missing committees. Industrial Investment Climate: Uganda’s State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) hosted manufacturers and digital tech stakeholders, including Huawei Uganda, to push a more predictable environment for investment and production. Aviation for Connectivity: Uganda Airlines signed a $985m Boeing deal for 10 aircraft, with support for training and maintenance capacity—an industrial boost for long-haul, regional and cargo operations. Ebola Watch for Industry Continuity: DRC’s Ebola situation remains severe, with Uganda and neighbours facing high transmission risk and renewed calls for tighter preparedness and safer response systems. Clean Cooking Push: Detra Energy’s eco-stoves are helping households cut charcoal use and costs, supporting energy efficiency and reducing pressure on forests. Payments Expansion: MTN is accelerating fintech separation in Nigeria and Uganda to unlock investor capital, while Yuno and Onafriq are integrating to connect merchants to 43 African markets via one payments interface.

Ebola Response Pressure: The DRC outbreak is worsening, with nearly 1,000 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths, while tracing is weak (only about 20% of contacts reached) and diagnostic delays from cartridge shortages slow confirmation—Uganda is also seeing detected cases, raising urgency for faster containment. Budget & Revenue Watch: Uganda’s FY2025/26 ends mixed: agriculture, oil and tourism rose, but public debt climbed, URA missed revenue targets by over Shs1 trillion, and service delivery concerns persist. Next Budget Ahead: Finance Minister unveils FY2026/27 at Shs84.4trn, with big allocations to human capital, infrastructure, security and debt servicing. Solar Irrigation Financing: Parliament approved UGX 735.7bn for phase two of solar-powered irrigation (427 systems) to boost rural incomes and protect coffee areas from dry spells. Clean Cooking Push: Detra Energy is expanding affordable eco-stoves that cut charcoal use dramatically—one household says a sack now lasts up to three months—supported by results-based financing. Aviation Deal: Uganda Airlines signed a Shs3.7trn aircraft agreement with Boeing for 10 planes, including Dreamliners and cargo-capable freighters, with training and maintenance support. Trade & Industry Events: UMA opened the Eastern Region Trade Fair in Mbale, highlighting local manufacturing, jobs and an Industrial Educational Pavilion for STEM and electronics training. Investment Leadership Change: Hajjat Amina Mukalazi took over as State Minister for Privatization and Investment, pledging to improve the investment climate and push value-addition for jobs and exports. EAC Games Logistics: Parliament Speaker Joseph Paciko Ngere heads to Tanzania to coordinate preparations for the 2026 EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games.

World Bank Financing: The World Bank Group plans to lend Uganda about $6bn (Shs 23tn) over 10 years under a 2026–2035 Country Partnership Framework, aiming to back private-sector-led transformation and job creation. Ebola Cross-Border Pressure: President Museveni urged stronger East and Central Africa coordination on Ebola after meeting WHO chief Tedros, stressing surveillance and joint action with the DRC to curb cross-border spread. Ebola Response Funding: The EU announced an extra €16.5m for the DRC/region, including support for pathogen genomics, WHO surveillance and testing equipment—while reports from Congo highlight shortages of PPE and basic supplies. Digital Finance & Trade: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to grow East Africa value chains, starting with Kenya, targeting coffee, leather and the creative economy. Outsourcing Jobs Push: A new report places Uganda among the world’s top outsourcing destinations (24th of 193), but the focus now is turning rankings into real employment at scale. Uganda’s Gaming Boom: Uganda’s digital betting and gaming sector hit Shs568bn in taxes by March 2025/26, up sharply from 2019/20, as online payments expand reach. Road Safety Industry Link: Vivo Energy Uganda donated 500 child helmets worth over Shs40m to police traffic safety campaigns for school-going boda riders.

Cross-Border Health Security: President Museveni urged stronger East and Central Africa coordination on Ebola after meeting WHO chief Tedros, stressing Uganda’s surveillance and border screening as cases remain linked to the DRC. Frontline Supply Strain: Reports from eastern DRC warn Ebola medics are running short on basic protective gear and chlorine, with shortages driven by logistics and reduced pre-positioned stocks. EU Steps Up Funding: The European Commission announced €16.5m in fresh Ebola support, including €6.5m for Africa CDC pathogen genomics and €5m for WHO surveillance and supplies. Kenya Protests Spill Into Violence: In Nanyuki, Kenyan police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters opposing a US-funded Ebola quarantine centre, with at least one death reported. Agro-Industry Resilience: Uganda-linked agroecology support is expanding across Africa and Latin America, with 10,000 small-scale farmers gaining advisory services to strengthen food systems. Transport for Industry: Uganda Railways Corporation delivered 633 tonnes of crude palm oil to BIDCO in Jinja by rail for the first time in eight years on that route, cutting road truck pressure. Road Safety for Youth: Vivo Energy Uganda donated 500 child helmets worth Shs40m to police to protect school-going boda riders. Ebola Vaccine Push: Gavi and CEPI launched a fast-track vaccine plan targeting the Bundibugyo strain. Regional Trade Finance: Zanzibar plans a stock exchange and investment bank to unlock long-term capital for sectors including manufacturing and tourism. Digital Payments Expansion: Yuno partnered with Onafriq to open access to 43 African markets and nearly 1 billion mobile wallets for merchants.

Ebola & Public Health: Uganda’s President Museveni met WHO chief Tedros in Kampala, reaffirming readiness to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and urging stronger regional cooperation with DRC as Uganda reports 19 confirmed cases and the wider region tops 500. Regional Health Strategy: Africa CDC and WHO launched a unified six-month “One Response” plan for June–November 2026, targeting $518m for surveillance, labs, clinical care, logistics and cross-border coordination. Kenya Protests: In Nanyuki, Kenyan police fired tear gas and arrested demonstrators protesting a US-funded 50-bed Ebola quarantine centre for Americans at Laikipia Air Base, despite a court pause order. Trade & Industry Finance: Uganda secured a €270m Afreximbank loan to fund agricultural value addition, oil and gas expansion, energy, industrial parks, and transport infrastructure, while Afreximbank sets up an East African trade office in Kampala. Innovation & Skills: UCC granted Shs182.6m to nine university-led projects on cybersecurity, energy access and agricultural productivity, aiming to turn research into practical solutions. Energy Access: Sun King highlighted off-grid solar scale-up as the “Age of Electricity” expands, with Africa still lagging on power access. Agri-Business: Uganda’s April coffee export earnings fell 10% year-on-year to $209.5m despite record shipment volumes, as global prices weakened.

Ebola Response & Regional Trade: Uganda’s President Museveni met WHO chief Tedros and reiterated the country’s readiness to contain Ebola, urging stronger cross-border cooperation with the DRC and noting Uganda has robust surveillance and response measures; WHO also praised Uganda’s border screening and case management, while the outbreak in the DRC continues to surge past 500 confirmed cases, with insecurity and attacks on treatment sites complicating containment. Agribusiness & Inputs: FAO warned that global disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a fertilizer and production shock, urging countries to keep trade open for agricultural inputs and use fertilizer efficiently—an issue that hits farmers hard when costs rise. Coffee Exports: Uganda’s coffee export earnings fell about 10% year-on-year in April to $155.5m as global prices weakened, though the sector still shows growth over the past 12 months. Energy for Industry & Services: A solar power push in Mbale is improving study conditions for exam candidates, showing how reliable power supports human capital and local productivity. Sports Nutrition & Agro-Industry: BIRDC and the Uganda Olympic Committee pledged over Shs2.5bn for a Nutrition for Sports initiative, alongside plans for a major banana processing factory.

Renewables for learning: In Mbale’s Kilulu B, a new solar setup at Good Journey Nursery and Primary School is restoring reliable evening study time after frequent grid blackouts, helping Primary Seven candidates prepare for PLE. Clean energy finance: Equity Bank Uganda says it is scaling renewable energy lending through Equi-Green Loans and Green Enterprise Financing, plus Results-Based Financing, to cut upfront costs for solar and clean cookstoves for homes, schools, farms and SMEs. Sports nutrition meets industry: BIRDC and the Uganda Olympic Committee committed over Shs2.5bn to a “Nutrition for Sports” push, alongside plans for a large banana processing factory expected to cost more than Shs200bn. Ebola hits the economy and workers: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with low pay and heavy workloads stressing frontline health staff; the EU also warned a ceasefire is now a health emergency as cases rise across DRC and Uganda. Policy and planning pressure: Uganda’s Baseline Education Census flags enrolment gains but persistent gaps in classrooms, teachers, sanitation and secondary access—an infrastructure wall that could slow human capital growth.

Budget & Industrialisation: Uganda’s 2026/27 Budget theme leans into full monetization via commercial agriculture, industrialization, services, digital transformation and market access, with a clear push to keep private sector facilitation at the centre. Ebola & Cross-Border Trade: The EU says a DRC ceasefire is now a health emergency as Ebola spreads in Ituri, with WHO reporting new cases in Uganda; meanwhile, UAE, Mauritius and other states are tightening entry rules, raising risks of goods getting stuck at borders. Regional Health Response: Africa CDC and WHO unveiled a $518m, June–November “one response” plan for Ebola preparedness and control, while WHO also delivered $22,000 in medical supplies to Zambia to strengthen lab and protective capacity. Infrastructure & Logistics: Kenya Ports Authority is expanding Mombasa Port with berth 19B to handle larger container vessels, a move that matters for East Africa’s freight and manufacturing supply chains. Construction Safety: Kampala’s Kisaasi building collapse is linked to poor design and weak materials, with reports of illegal construction despite stop orders—another reminder for safer urban development. Digital Jobs & Skills: Uganda urged a people-centred approach to AI at the ILO, stressing decent work, skills and reliable energy so technology boosts productivity without displacing workers.

Ebola Response Boost: WHO and Africa CDC launched a $518m, June–November “One Response” plan for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, targeting surveillance, testing, infection control, clinical care, community engagement and logistics across affected and at-risk countries, with Uganda and DRC in focus. US Support & Mobility Controls: The US added nearly $38m to Ebola efforts, pushing total direct support above $200m, while the UAE introduced travel restrictions for passengers from Uganda, DRC and South Sudan over Ebola risk. Outbreak Worsening in DRC: Reports say cases and deaths in eastern DRC are rising fast amid conflict, displacement and weak surveillance, raising fears the outbreak could be broader and more entrenched than first thought. EAC Trade Pressure: Kenya’s Finance Bill 2026 excise-duty clause is warned to threaten up to Sh350b in regional trade by removing long-standing EAC exemptions affecting Ugandan and Tanzanian goods. Green Energy Finance: Equity Bank Uganda rolled out green financing to make solar and clean cooking more affordable, pushing longer repayment terms for households and SMEs. Tourism & Connectivity: UNDP is working to unlock Lake Victoria Basin tourism and investment, while Belgium Airlines’ maiden flight to KIA signals growing regional travel demand.

Ebola Response Boost: Africa CDC and WHO launched a six-month, $518m “One Response” plan to tackle the Bundibugyo strain spreading across DR Congo and Uganda, focusing on surveillance, labs, infection control, clinical care, community engagement and logistics. US Funding & Uganda Update: The US added nearly $38m to Ebola efforts, taking direct support above $200m, as Uganda reported confirmed cases and DR Congo deaths rose amid intensified testing. Cross-Border Mobility Tightens: UAE introduced travel restrictions for passengers from Uganda, DR Congo and South Sudan over Ebola risk, while Ebola-related screening disruptions also surfaced in travel hubs. Health System Pressure: Reports say the outbreak is expanding faster than earlier waves, with limited protection and delayed readiness in affected mining areas. Industrial & Finance Angle: Equity Bank Uganda rolled out green financing to make solar and clean cooking more affordable via longer repayment options and supplier-linked installation models. Tourism Infrastructure: Uganda began construction of Kidepo International Airport in Karenga, aiming to unlock jobs and market access for Karamoja and boost tourism. HIV Prevention Breakthrough: South Africa announced funding to roll out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, with trials including Uganda. Disaster Risk: Kampala City Authority said the collapsed Kisaasi building had no approved plan and used substandard materials, as the death toll rose to three.

Ebola Response Funding: WHO and Africa CDC have launched a joint six-month Ebola preparedness and response plan for the Bundibugyo strain, mobilising US$518m (June–November) under a “One Response” approach covering surveillance, labs, infection control, clinical care, logistics and community engagement. DRC Outbreak Update: The DRC’s Ituri outbreak is still accelerating in pockets, with health teams intensifying testing as cases and deaths rise, while Uganda reports linked fatalities and continues monitoring. US Support for Africa: The US added US$38m to Ebola response efforts, warning the outbreak could rival the 2014–2016 crisis without strong public health action. Local Security Staffing: UPDF announced recruitment of over 10,000 personnel (June–August) to replace retiring officers, with online applications running 10–24 June. Tourism & Infrastructure: Construction of Kidepo International Airport has started in Karenga, backed by Sharjah partners, aiming to boost Karamoja tourism, jobs and market access for local products. Agri-Finance Summit: Kenya will host the FINAS 2026 agri-food systems financing summit in late June/early July to tackle a $100bn agriculture funding gap. Export Readiness: Uganda’s export push faces compliance gaps, with authorities urging exporters and trade agencies to meet global standards to unlock market access. Industrial Skills Drive: Mbale Skills Expo is set to connect young people with practical training and industry opportunities as manufacturers seek job-ready talent. Brand Signals: A survey shows African brands rebounding to 15% of the Top 100, with Standard Bank leading financial services.

Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC launched a $518m, six-month “One Response” plan to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighboring Uganda, focusing on surveillance, lab testing, contact tracing, border screening, safe burials and community engagement as officials warn they are still “catching up.” Diagnostics & Vaccines: Roche says it developed a Bundibugyo PCR test within a week for front-line labs to validate capacity, while scientists say future outbreaks should hit less hard as new vaccine candidates (including mRNA approaches) move toward readiness. Health System Strain: Reports from Congo describe clinicians working with limited protection and delayed testing, with fear rising among frontline staff. Industrial Trade Compliance: Uganda’s export push faces compliance gaps, with authorities urging exporters and trade agencies to meet global standards to unlock market access. Skills for Industry: Uganda’s Mbale Skills Expo links young people to practical training and manufacturer-led opportunities as the country shifts toward skills-based learning. Infrastructure for Growth: President Museveni launched construction of Kidepo International Airport in Karamoja, aiming to boost tourism, trade and investment. Tech Services: Smart Hands Africa appointed an authorised Supermicro services partner, expanding installation, maintenance and break-fix support across Uganda and the region. Agribusiness Security: Masindi police returned confiscated sugarcane weighbridges to Victoria Sugar, targeting roadside theft that has disrupted farmers and millers.

Ebola Response & Public Health: Uganda is feeling spillover from the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, with health facilities in Ituri reporting staff falling ill, shortages of tests and PPE, and WHO warning the virus has a “big head-start” while responders “catch up.” Preparedness at Community Level: Ghana’s GHS urged handwashing and early reporting for fevers, stressing that faster presentation improves survival when no vaccine is available for the current strain. Local Industry Impact: Uganda’s shilling is forecast to face pressure as Ebola fears deter tourists, hitting dollar inflows at a time when energy-sector demand is strong. Agri & Food Prices: Rising beef prices in Uganda are linked to animal disease outbreaks and dry spells that cut cattle supply, with quarantines in cattle corridors tightening availability. Climate & Resilience Finance: Britam says it paid Sh97.3m in climate claims to 400,000+ farmers across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, showing how weather shocks are pushing households toward risk insurance. Trade & Risk Insurance: AfDB approved a US$125m equity boost to ATIDI, aiming to expand political risk and credit insurance to unlock intra-African trade. Energy Infrastructure: African Energy Week 2026 will spotlight Eskom, ZESCO and Uganda’s UETCL as utilities push grid expansion and electrification to support industrial growth.

Ebola Preparedness & Trade Disruption: Uganda and the region stay on edge as the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak spreads, with WHO warning the response is still behind the curve; travel curbs and flight suspensions are already hitting tourism and movement, while WaterStep is setting up on-site bleach production hubs to protect health facilities and communities. Health Innovation: Scientists race to develop a Bundibugyo-matched Ebola vaccine, with Oxford-led work among fast-tracked efforts, as funding ramps up for multiple candidates. Industrial Finance: The AfDB approved a US$125m equity boost to ATIDI to expand trade, credit and political risk insurance—aimed at helping Ugandan and regional firms move goods and investments despite uncertainty. Halal & Standards: Uganda pushes halal certification as a growth lever for tourism and exports, with experts stressing the role of credible certification for the halal economy. Environment Governance: A study of 108 Uganda environmental impact statements questions whether impact assessments are more than box-ticking, raising compliance concerns for developers. Agribusiness Funding: Africa’s agriculture minister calls for at least 10% budget allocation to agriculture, warning underfunding is holding back food security and industrial jobs. Fisheries Livelihoods: Masaka silverfish (mukene) traders report livelihood shocks from the enforcement of the fishing ban, as boats and gear are deregistered. EACOP Compensation: Project affected persons along EACOP’s route seek a retrial over alleged unfair land acquisition and eviction processes. Business Costs: New tax measures are set to raise costs for fuel, sugar and other goods, with economists warning ripple effects across transport, logistics and prices.

State of the Nation Address (SONA): Ahead of President Museveni’s SONA in Kampala, political analysts are urging a sharper shift toward industrialization, saying past spending has often chased political priorities instead of results. Environment & Industry Compliance: A court has fined Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) UGX 180m for illegally discharging industrial effluent into land and the River Nile, ordering restoration within 30 days—another reminder that industrial growth must meet environmental standards. Ebola & Regional Health Pressure: WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is “catching up” but still moving fast, with weak contact tracing and vaccine gaps; Uganda has recorded confirmed cases too. Kenya-US Ebola Facility Fallout: Despite a Kenyan court order, US flights continued bringing equipment and specialists to a proposed quarantine site in Nanyuki, with protests turning deadly—raising fresh questions for regional health and cross-border logistics. Northern Corridor Freight: Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways reaffirmed plans to strengthen rail freight links via the Port of Mombasa–Malaba route, aiming to make rail a more competitive trade logistics option. EV Investment: Spiro secured $215m equity to expand battery-swapping and manufacturing across African markets, including Uganda—fueling local clean mobility and energy infrastructure ambitions. Agribusiness & Animal Feeds: Museveni met the Netherlands ambassador, pushing for more maize, cassava and soya production to feed Uganda’s growing animal feed industry, with talk of easing tax duties on locally produced feeds. Finance & Inclusion: Equity Bank Uganda reiterated support for SACCOs and micro businesses through tailored financing and financial literacy. Tax Changes: Uganda’s new 2026/27 tax package—especially a fuel levy—signals how policy will hit transport, food prices and business margins.

Ebola Vaccine Race: CEPI has pledged about $60m to speed up three investigational vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain driving the DRC–Uganda outbreak, with candidates from IAVI, Moderna and Oxford (Oxford to be manufactured by Serum Institute of India). DRC Outbreak Pressure: WHO chief Tedros warned the virus had a “big head-start” and that response is still behind, as confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise and contact tracing gaps persist. Uganda Preparedness: Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe activated emergency Ebola preparedness, highlighting how transport corridors and cross-border movement raise infection risk—an approach Uganda health planners will be watching closely. Kenya Quarantine Controversy: Protests against a proposed U.S. Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base turned deadly, while Reuters reports U.S. flights and equipment continued despite court orders—raising questions for regional health governance and logistics. Clean Energy for Schools: Vivo Energy Uganda showcased Shell Gas clean cooking solutions for schools at the ASSHU headteachers’ conference, pushing LPG as a safer, cost-efficient alternative to charcoal. EV Infrastructure Investment: Spiro secured $215m equity to expand battery-swapping and EV rollout across Uganda and other African markets, betting on local manufacturing and energy-linked mobility. Finance & Industry Moves: Bank of Uganda approved Absa’s acquisition of Standard Chartered Uganda’s retail/wealth business, while Uganda’s new tax changes for 2026/27 (including a fuel levy) are set to ripple through transport and production costs.