AGP Executive Report

Textiles Expansion: Fine Spinners Uganda Limited says it has invested US$5m in new textile machinery, targeting the DRC, Zambia and Ethiopia, with capacity expected to rise by up to 40%. Energy & Industry: Uganda’s NSSF stayed out of Kenya Pipeline Company’s IPO, citing “overvalued” pricing, while continuing to rebalance its portfolio across regional listed firms. Tax & Pharma: Emmanuel Katongole has resigned as URA board chairman after six months, pointing to mounting demands at Quality Chemical Industries and other leadership roles. Digital Infrastructure: Canalbox is pushing to grow Uganda’s fixed broadband customer base after investing up to US$60m, betting on affordability and shared home connectivity. Construction & Risk: Government has screened about 5,000 Kampala buildings for earthquake safety and will extend the audit to the wider Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. Water Last-Mile: Despite improved national safe-water access, MPs warn thousands of villages still lack reliable improved sources, calling for better design and maintenance. Regional Trade Policy: Nigeria urged African states to put trade and economic cooperation at the centre of Pan-African diplomacy, backing AfCFTA and corridor investment. Fuel Cost Pressure: Diesel prices are driving up food and transport costs, with diesel inflation at 42.5% year-on-year.

Gold Fraud Case: A Canada-based pastor, Didier Borromee Bitome Kifoueti, pleaded guilty in Kampala to obtaining about $600,000 (UGX2.3bn) through a bogus gold deal, with co-accused denying charges. Urban Planning & Infrastructure: Egypt’s PM Mostafa Madbouly told the Alamein Africa Forum that Africa must turn rapid urbanisation into industrial growth, citing Egypt’s “fourth-generation cities” and cross-border know-how. Regional Trade Diplomacy: Nigeria urged African states to put trade and economic cooperation at the centre of Pan-African diplomacy, arguing partnerships last only on shared economic interests. Water Last-Mile Gap: Uganda’s safe-water access rose to 73.6%, but MPs warn 12,000+ villages still lack improved sources, with health and livelihoods hit. Earthquake Readiness: Uganda screened about 5,000 Kampala buildings for seismic vulnerability, with the audit set to expand across Greater Kampala. Tax Administration Shake-up: Emmanuel Katongole resigned as URA board chair after six months, as the authority faces pressure to boost domestic revenue. Energy & Food Costs: Diesel inflation hit 42.5%, pushing up transport and food prices across Uganda’s supply chain. Lamu Refinery Momentum: Kenya’s Lamu refinery project continues to draw regional investment attention, with claims it could reshape East Africa’s energy and industrial future.

Earthquake Readiness: Uganda’s National Building Review Board says it has screened 5,000 buildings in Kampala for seismic vulnerability under a Rapid Visual Screening programme, with the next phase set for Kira, Wakiso, Entebbe, parts of Greater Kampala and beyond. Forestry & Schools: Equity Bank launches the Equity Green Schools Programme, targeting 200,000 trees planted and nurtured in schools by 2027, starting with 3,000 trees at Nakanyonyi SSS. Power Reliability: UEDCL rolls out major network upgrades and a nationwide stakeholder engagement drive to cut blackouts for 80,000+ customers in Greater Kampala, including transformer and line capacity interventions. Digital Transport Oversight: MPs validate that the Digital Number Plate System can track and recover stolen vehicles (337/375), shifting focus to implementation costs and production efficiency. Mining Enforcement: Police in Kanungu arrest six suspects over illegal gold mining along riverbanks, citing unlicensed operations and environmental damage. Agribusiness & Trade: Kagadi farmers pass by-laws to curb coffee theft, while EU coffee imports hit €18.7bn in 2025—Uganda ranks third among extra-EU suppliers. Regional Industry Finance: Afreximbank says it has invested about $15bn in Dangote Group since 2015 and backs the $16bn Lamu refinery expected to process 700,000 bpd and create 60,000 jobs. Water & Health Support: NCBA Bank hands over 50 household water filters to Kasenyi families to improve safe drinking water access.

Rail & Logistics: Uganda is moving to adopt European rail control and signalling for the Malaba–Kampala SGR, with Parliament told proposals include ERTMS and ETCS Level 2. Regional Deal-Making: Heads of state and business leaders gather in Egypt’s Alamein for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, with focus on infrastructure, critical minerals, digital innovation and trade. Power Reliability: UEDCL has launched a nationwide engagement drive to tackle Greater Kampala blackouts, including transformer upgrades and line splitting to ease strain on customers in areas like Kira. Electric Mobility: Kiira Motors and Vivo Energy Uganda partner to expand charging infrastructure for electric buses in Kampala and Jinja. Digital Plates Oversight: MPs inspected the Digital Number Plate system at Naguru and confirmed live tracking works, shifting attention to how to improve implementation efficiency and costs. Tourism & Jobs: Government targets $5bn tourism receipts by 2030, needing visitors to stay longer and spend more. Agribusiness Security: Kagadi farmers pass by-laws to curb coffee theft, including penalties for stealing and buying immature coffee. Public Health & Safety: NDA warns against an illegal “viagra-powered” energy drink found with undeclared sildenafil. Conservation & Tourism: UWA and WCS sign a 10-year co-management deal for Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha lions sector, aiming to revive tourism and biodiversity management.

Oil & Industry: Aliko Dangote has dismissed Kenya’s refinery protests, saying the Lamu project will still be ready by 2030, while offering East African governments a combined 30% stake in the $16bn, 700,000-bpd refinery. Regional Energy Integration: Tanzania and Uganda have advanced refined-fuel infrastructure planning in Tanga, handing a project site to a consultant for feasibility work to cut import dependence. Local Manufacturing Finance: Exim Bank Uganda backed Yangtze Industry’s expansion with financing for a new glue production facility at the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, as manufacturing growth continues. Urban Planning & Compliance: KCCA demolished buildings in Nakasero and Kololo over alleged planning breaches, pushing enforcement in Kampala’s development corridors. Water & Standards: Uganda’s water utilities are losing up to Shs6bn through non-revenue water, with substandard meters driving the push for mandatory meter standards. Tourism & Digital Push: Uganda is turning to AI and digital tools to boost tourism competitiveness, with stakeholders reviewing how to improve marketing, visitor experience and service delivery.

East African Energy Push: Aliko Dangote broke ground in Lamu on a $16bn, 700,000-bpd refinery meant to cut fuel imports and deepen regional industrialisation, with leaders including Uganda’s Museveni and Kenya’s Ruto backing the project. Regional Politics & Integration: Ruto played down refinery “rivalry” with Uganda and Tanzania, saying East Africa’s demand can support multiple plants, while Museveni again urged an East African political federation to remove barriers to shared growth. Court & Land Tensions: In Kenya, 133 residents sued to stop the Lamu refinery, arguing it threatens ancestral land and livelihoods, with a court order holding the status quo until mid-October. Uganda Industrial Climate: KCCA demolished two buildings in Nakasero and Kololo over alleged planning breaches, a reminder that industrial expansion still depends on enforcement. Tourism Tech Upgrade: Uganda is turning to AI and digital tools to boost tourism marketing, visitor experience and data-driven planning. Agriculture Protection: Eastern Africa met in Entebbe to strengthen cross-border control of migratory pests, stressing early warning and rapid response to protect crops and food security. Skills for Industry: Uganda and Chinese partners urged more practical vocational training to supply manpower for industrial parks and manufacturing. Health & Access: A new HIV prevention injectable (lenacapavir) is hailed as a breakthrough, but access questions remain as funding tightens. Trade & Logistics: Rwanda received its first fuel shipment via Kenya’s Mombasa corridor under a new framework, signalling deeper energy and logistics integration.

East Africa Industrial Push: Uganda’s President Museveni joined regional leaders at the groundbreaking of Dangote’s $16bn East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu, Kenya—an integrated complex targeting 700,000 barrels per day and completion in about 40 months, with claims of 60,000 construction jobs and downstream petrochemicals. Courtroom Roadblocks: The project’s start has been challenged by a land-rights petition from Lamu residents, while the African Energy Chamber backs Dangote and warns against delays from litigation. Regional Fuel Logistics: Kenya has also activated a new route for Rwanda’s refined fuel imports via Mombasa, receiving a first 40,000-tonne diesel and petrol consignment. Uganda’s Downstream Stance: Museveni backed Lamu but said Uganda will only invest after clarifying its own planned “small refinery” path. Oversight & Industry Policy: Parliament ordered an audit of the delayed Lubowa hospital project, while Uganda renewed focus on mining value addition and UDB urged Eastern Uganda tourism players to use patient capital. Health Manufacturing: Minister Bahati inspected Microhaem Scientifics as Uganda pushes import substitution in medical supplies. Transport Tech: Parliament heard digital number plate rollout updates, including backlog clearance and faster fitment times.

Oil & Gas Industrialisation: Aliko Dangote officially broke ground on the $16bn Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu, Kenya, targeting 700,000 barrels per day and completion around 2030, with promises of 60,000 jobs and an integrated industrial push (power, plastics and chemicals). Regional Energy Politics: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni backed the Lamu project but said Uganda will not invest in it yet, insisting Uganda will proceed with its own “small refinery” plans in Hoima (60,000–120,000 bpd) and recalling earlier talks on a Tanga, Tanzania refinery. Local Business & Trade: Uganda and Kenya-linked Business Network Uganda (BNU) was launched to deepen trade, investment and partnerships across the region. Transport & Industry Oversight: Parliament’s committee reported the digital number plate backlog has been cleared and fitment times improved, while a supplier blamed delays on disrupted global shipping; the committee says it will review capacity and the exclusive role of the manufacturer. Food Security & Resilience: WFP welcomed Ireland’s €4.5m support for drought-hit Karamoja, including school meals and cash-based social protection for vulnerable households. Education Rankings: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 show Africa’s universities expanding in the global lists, with Uganda represented in the 801–1,000 band.

East Africa Energy Push: Aliko Dangote and Kenya’s William Ruto will break ground on Wednesday for a $16bn East Africa refinery in Lamu, targeting lower fuel costs and cutting the region’s heavy import bill; Dangote says governments can take a combined 30% stake and the plant is planned to be completed in 2030. Uganda Transport Costs: Uganda’s boda-boda operators have asked Parliament to review the digital number plate rollout, citing delays that leave riders grounded, high replacement costs, weak public awareness and enforcement concerns. AFCON 2027 Readiness: CAF is reportedly exploring contingency options for the 2027 AFCON co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, after concerns over stadium and logistics timelines. Roadworks Accountability: A government audit says 228 district roadworks across 176 local governments had maintenance issues, including incomplete and unsatisfactory works, with Shs176bn at stake. Health Services Trust: A Ugandan patient reportedly flew abroad for a specialist only to meet a Ugandan doctor already working there, highlighting a confidence gap in local care. Banking Leadership: Housing Finance Bank appoints Moses Mande Oroto to lead business and institutional banking. Regional Trade & Industry: Kisumu’s Sh3.5bn Kibuye Market redevelopment is at tendering stage, aiming to strengthen the city’s commercial role across the Lake Victoria trade network.

Digital Payments Reform: Kenya’s National Payments Systems Bill 2026 would let M-Pesa and Airtel Money invest customer deposits in government securities and interest-bearing accounts, with pressure growing to share returns with wallet holders. Parliament Tightens Digital Plate Oversight: Uganda’s digital number plate rollout faces fresh scrutiny as MPs question production capacity, plate shortages, security concerns, and alleged weekly tax losses of over Shs4bn, with a committee review set to verify conflicting figures. Cross-Border Power Push: Uganda and South Sudan move closer to electricity integration with a new 400kV interconnection project (about 299km of transmission line) aimed at expanding regional power trade. Health & Pharma Trade: Egypt and Uganda discuss expanding Egyptian drug and vaccine exports, joint manufacturing, and renewed hepatitis C cooperation. Oil & Industry Politics: Kenya’s Ruto vows the Sh2trn Dangote East Africa refinery will proceed despite a court dispute over land, while Dangote says the project will stay African-led and expects U.S. investor participation. Food Prices Bite: Kampala’s egg shortage is forcing bakers and street vendors into “shrinkflation,” cutting cake sizes as prices stay high. Industrial Land Woes: Soroti Industrial Park officials warn that most plots remain idle, threatening jobs and investment outcomes.

Digital Plates Monopoly: UMA wants Parliament to review the foreign firm’s digital number plate monopoly under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System, citing delays, high costs, and business disruption; MPs say revenue losses hit at least Shs4b weekly and plate output fell from 350 to under 100 sets as some centres suspended issuance. Tourism & Conservation: Museveni commissioned Mbale Zoo and unveiled an Elgon tourism conservation strategy, warning environmental degradation threatens Uganda’s tourism base. Oil & Industry Push: Museveni urged more Japanese investment in agro-processing and road equipment; meanwhile Uganda is also positioning for major energy-industrial deals, including oil refinery momentum and regional power trade. Regional Energy Trade: A $254m Uganda–South Sudan 400kV line is set to open cross-border electricity markets and link South Sudan into wider power trading. HIV Prevention Manufacturing: Kenya secured a licence to manufacture a monthly HIV prevention pill for Africa, with Uganda’s Quality Chemical Industries among licensed makers—boosting local pharma capacity. Food Prices Hit Small Businesses: Kampala’s egg crisis is driving “shrinkflation” as bakers and street vendors cut sizes to cope with rising egg costs. Labour Exports: Bank of Uganda says labour exports earn about $1.6b annually, but urges skills upgrades to raise earnings from casual to professional jobs.

Egg Prices Bite Kampala Bakers: Kampala bakers and street vendors are cutting cake sizes as egg costs jump 25–33% in three months, squeezing margins without room to raise prices. US–Uganda Education Links: The US Charge d’Affaires urged Kabale University students to turn local resources into value-added industries through agritech, health tech and conservation tech, and called for stronger US–Kigezi partnerships. Tourism Conservation Push: President Museveni commissioned Mbale Zoo and unveiled an Elgon Tourism Conservation Strategy, warning that forest and wetland degradation threatens Uganda’s tourism jobs and income. HIV Prevention Manufacturing: Kenya is set to manufacture alimatravir, with Uganda’s Quality Chemical Industries among licensed makers, aiming to expand monthly PrEP access if trials succeed. Oil & Power Infrastructure: Uganda’s Kingfisher CPF is at 99% ahead of first oil, while a $254m Uganda–South Sudan 400kV line targets power trading and energy security. Labour Exports: Uganda earns about $1.6bn yearly from workers abroad, but officials say more skills are needed for higher-paying roles. Tourism Funding Debate: FDC says tourism growth is being held back by weak funding and infrastructure for the ministry, UWA and UTB. Digital Tourism & Data Governance: Uganda is pushing AI for tourism and UICT is proposing a data governance framework to make institutional data usable for digital transformation. Industrial Inputs: Steel & Tube explores building a local iron ore-to-steel supply chain in Kanungu to cut import dependence. Regional Energy Ambitions: Uganda is also positioned in East Africa’s refinery race as cross-border industrial investment plans gather momentum.

Aquaculture & Skills: A new aquaculture profile shows how intensive Nile tilapia production in Kenya is pushing managers to focus on efficiency, profitability and biosecurity, not just fish numbers. BRICS & Finance: The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi highlighted Global South priorities, including trade and financial connectivity, as members explore domestic payment systems. Health Workforce: WHO warns nearly 1 in 3 Ugandan health workers want to leave or quit, citing vacancies and shortages that could worsen service delivery. Steel & Mining Linkages: Steel & Tube seeks to build a domestic iron ore supply chain in Kanungu, aiming to process ore into steel billets and cut import dependence. Pension Returns: NSSF declared a record 22.53% interest rate for 2025/26, crediting Sh5.44trn to members and reigniting debate on Uganda’s savings market. AFCON Infrastructure: Kabalega International Airport in Hoima handled its first passenger flights, giving a practical readiness test ahead of AFCON 2027. Food Security Risk: East Africa faces a deepening food crisis as El Niño threatens harvests, raising the question of whether response systems can move as fast as early warnings. Local Manufacturing Pressure: Uganda’s tile makers want higher taxes on imports, saying cheap foreign products are squeezing local producers. Oil Spill Readiness: Uganda is working with Denmark to strengthen Lake Victoria oil spill preparedness as commercial production nears. Currency Production: Bank of Uganda is studying feasibility of printing banknotes locally to reduce outsourcing costs and boost security capacity.

Tooro Succession Watch: Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal is preparing to install Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as Omukama on Sept. 29, with President Museveni expected as chief guest—after a succession dispute that left a complicated legacy. Tourism & Industry Push: Museveni urged Ugandans to tap the $11.6tn tourism market, linking growth to digital visibility and AI, while warning that destroying wetlands threatens the sector’s future. Skills for Clean Energy: Makerere University Business School says demand for green energy and clean cooking training in Teso is overwhelming—500+ applicants for 100 slots—showing strong pull for solar, briquettes and improved cookstoves. Textiles Expansion: Fine Spinners is investing an extra $5m (Shs19.7bn) in new machinery to expand local textile value addition and target wider African markets. Housing Financing: Government called for innovative financing to unlock long-term capital for Uganda’s housing and construction boom, highlighting options like PPPs and green bonds. Fertilizer Controversy: Farmers protested a “free” fertilizer programme, questioning costs, allocations and supplier quality after claims of a 30% beneficiary contribution. Gold Export Gaps: URA says it struggles to trace Uganda’s gold exports back to production sources, pointing to weak records in artisanal mining and opaque refiner sourcing. Clean Cooking Agenda: AfDB urged clean cooking to be treated as a core priority in Africa’s energy transition, citing major health and economic costs of biomass reliance. Oil Spill Readiness: Uganda is discussing oil spill preparedness for Lake Victoria with Denmark as commercial oil production nears.

Textiles Investment: Kampala’s Fine Spinners pumps an extra US$5m (Shs19.7bn) into new machinery to expand output, deepen local value addition and target wider African and export markets. Housing Finance: Government calls for innovative, long-term financing—PPPs, green bonds, impact investing and municipal bonds—to tackle Uganda’s housing and construction funding crunch. Fertilizer Controversy: Farmers question a “free” fertilizer push, saying they’re asked to pay Shs54,000 per 50kg bag under a 70% subsidy model, raising concerns on allocations, distribution and supplier quality. Pharma Localisation: Stakeholders warn Uganda’s medicine import dependence (over 80%) is shrinking local manufacturing and research, urging stronger local drug production and a dedicated research push. Oil & Gas Oversight: URA struggles to trace gold exports from refiners back to mining sources, highlighting reporting and regulation gaps in a major export earner. Roads & Transport Tech: MTN MoMo enables mobile-money toll payments on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway as Uganda moves toward wider electronic toll collection. Energy Transition & Health: AfDB urges clean cooking as a priority for Africa’s energy transition; Uganda Cancer Institute rolls out automated voice calls to monitor patients between treatments. Local Industry Supply Chain: Dietsmann trains 20 Ugandan PPE suppliers to meet standards and compete for opportunities in Uganda’s growing energy sector. Regional Mobility: UAE lifts Ebola travel restrictions on Ugandan nationals after monitoring, while DRC and South Sudan measures remain.

Ebola & Mobility: The UAE has lifted Ebola travel and entry restrictions on Ugandan nationals after Uganda completed the monitoring period, though precautions remain for DRC and South Sudan. Oil & Revenue Oversight: URA says it struggles to trace where Uganda’s gold exported by refiners comes from, citing gaps in how artisanal production is recorded and monitored. Local Industry Supply Chains: Dietsmann ran a four-day PPE supplier workshop for 20 Ugandan firms, including Buliisa businesses, to boost compliance and competitiveness for Uganda’s energy supply chain. Digital Health for Industry Workers: Uganda Cancer Institute presented an automated voice-call system that checks cancer patients for side effects between visits, helping doctors intervene earlier. Transport & Payments: MTN MoMo now lets motorists pay tolls on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway via mobile money at selected lanes, as Uganda moves toward wider cashless tolling. Road Safety: Centenary Bank’s Rotary Club of Mapeera launched a road safety drive with helmets and reflector jackets amid rising crash deaths. Clean Cooking Finance: Pride Bank and MOGAS Uganda launched LPG clean-cooking financing, reporting a 40% cooking-cost cut after switching from charcoal. Security & Youth: Police in Soroti detained a student over 22 rounds of live ammunition as youth gangs surge in the East Kyoga region. Road Infrastructure Risk: Missing and faded road signs on Gayaza Road are blamed for dangerous driving and crashes.