AGP Executive Report

Digital Regulation: UCC has launched a nationwide enforcement drive against unlicensed public Wi‑Fi hotspot operators, warning that some residents and businesses are charging as little as Shs1,000 for 24 hours without licences, and says it will work with licensed ISPs and telecoms to protect consumers. Ebola Response: Uganda will deploy medical experts and set up more Ebola treatment centres in eastern DRC as bed occupancy hits 96% and health workers warn of possible service suspension over delayed salaries. Oil & Legal Pressure: Ugandan farmers have filed a UK High Court lawsuit to stop EACOP operations, arguing the pipeline threatens water, wildlife and climate goals; the case seeks an injunction plus compensation. Industrial Finance & Agriculture: dfcu Bank-backed agribusiness support is helping cocoa farmer Joan Kantu scale into value addition, while Stanbic Bank Uganda cut lending rates for agriculture SACCOs to 10% to boost rural credit. Land Governance: Government launched a nationwide land inventory to document public land in a single database, aiming to curb fraud, encroachment and disputes. Energy Transition: Equity Bank unveiled financing aimed at making solar and clean cooking solutions more affordable for households, schools and small businesses. Innovation for Health: Researchers report a catnip-based lotion can repel mosquitoes as effectively as DEET in Uganda trials, pointing to cheaper local options for malaria prevention.

Agri-food Investment: Kenya unveiled NASIP 2026-2030, a KSh1.081trn (US$8.4bn) plan to modernise value chains, expand irrigation and create 2m+ jobs—an investment signal Uganda’s agribusinesses will watch closely. Malaria-Repellent Innovation: Uganda trials found a locally made catnip lotion (6% oil) repels mosquitoes as effectively as Deet, pointing to cheaper, locally producible protection for rural households. Water & Climate Resilience: Ntungamo’s Kakukuru Town Council received an underground Managed Aquifer Recharge system to store rainy-season water for dry spells, supported by NBI and UNDP. Media Freedom Under Pressure: Uganda’s military siege on Nation Media Group outlets shut NTV, Spark TV and radio stations, raising alarms for the business climate around information and advertising. EACOP Legal Fight: Ugandan farmers filed a UK High Court case to stop EACOP operations, arguing breaches of environmental and climate protections tied to the UK-registered pipeline firm. Ebola Countermeasures: Africa CDC and partners moved clinical trials for Bundibugyo Ebola therapeutics forward as cases and deaths rise in DRC, with Uganda also affected. Digital Regulation: UCC launched a crackdown on unlicensed public Wi-Fi hotspots, warning of cybersecurity and privacy risks. Industrial Park Push: UNOC invited investors into Kabalega Industrial Park in Hoima to support Uganda’s petroleum value chain through manufacturing, agro-processing and logistics. Energy Mega-Refinery Watch: Dangote confirmed a 700,000-bpd refinery in Kenya’s Lamu, with cost estimates around $17bn—another potential regional jobs and fuel-supply game-changer.

Ebola Response (DRC-Uganda): WHO says first patients have been enrolled in clinical trials testing treatments for the rarer Bundibugyo Ebola strain, as deaths in DRC push past 500 and Uganda reports cases too—highlighting how fast-track research is now part of the outbreak fight. Oil & Climate Litigation (EACOP): Ugandan farmers are set to sue in the UK High Court to stop the $5.6bn East African Crude Oil Pipeline, arguing it breaches Uganda’s environmental, climate and constitutional laws; the case targets the UK-registered operator ahead of 2027 operations. Telecom Reliability (MTN Uganda): MTN Uganda explains its July 5 outage as an internal power protection failure at the Mutundwe Data Centre, leaving subscribers unable to use calls, internet and mobile money for hours. Mining Crackdown (Kanungu): Uganda suspends gold mining in Kayungwe, Kanungu, citing unlicensed activity, environmental damage and public health risks after a gold rush turned into an informal camp. Agri-Industry (Coffee Resilience): Ugandan coffee growers in Masaka adopt regenerative agriculture via model farms to improve drought resilience and yields. Circular Economy (Kampala): KCCA explores partnerships to build a plastic recycling plant to turn waste into value-added construction products like tiles. Agribusiness Trade (Jinja Show): Exhibitors urge UNFFE to modernise the Jinja Agricultural Show with better stalls, training spaces and sanitation to attract more business and markets. Public Health Product (Ebola Drug): Island Pharma gets approvals to supply Galidesivir under WHO emergency use for Uganda’s Bundibugyo outbreak, aiming to fill the current treatment gap. Governance & Security (Court Martial): Major General James Birungi is remanded on treachery-related charges, keeping Uganda’s security and legal spotlight on high-level cases.

Ebola Response & Border Policy: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola death toll has passed 500 (506 deaths, 1,561 confirmed cases) as a new trial for Bundibugyo therapies begins, while Uganda reports 20 confirmed cases and two deaths; Uganda also deployed 48 doctors and mobile labs to Ituri, even as critics question border-closing moves like Uganda’s closure with Congo. Agribusiness & Exports: Uganda’s coffee export earnings fell 38% in May to $151.7m as global prices weakened and export volumes dropped. Energy Infrastructure: East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is now beyond 90% completion, moving into final commissioning steps toward crude exports. Public Sector Pay: Government issued the 2026/27 salary structure, keeping scientists and technical professionals as top earners. Urban Services: Kiwatule residents demand KCCA upgrades—paved roads and streetlights—to cut insecurity. Hospitality & Consumer Goods: Marriott’s global beverage deal shifts Kampala’s new Marriott (Nsambya) to Coca-Cola. Finance & Digital Rails: A report highlights Africa’s blockchain ecosystem maturing, but capital absorption still lagging.

Oil & Land Rights: In Buliisa, Balaalo pastoralists evicted in 2010 say they’re still waiting for compensation as Uganda moves toward first oil production, with families losing cattle and land during the “Justice” eviction. Ebola Response & Cross-Border Health: Uganda has sent 48 doctors, two mobile labs and logistics to DR Congo’s Ituri to strengthen the joint Ebola response and reduce cross-border spread. Healthcare Investment: Unihealth Hospitals will raise its stake in Uganda’s Victoria Hospital to 99.81% via a strategic share swap, consolidating future earnings under one group. Mining Regulation: Uganda suspends gold mining in Kanungu (Kayungwe/Kanoni area) over unlicensed operations, environmental damage and public health risks. Oil Sector Politics: Civil society groups in Uganda and DR Congo urge transparency and safeguards in talks over joint Albertine Graben oil development. Energy Access: A new report highlights how solar is expanding rural electricity access across Africa, where grid power remains limited. ICT & Finance Disruption: MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank Uganda faced service disruptions after separate power/network incidents. Industrial Growth Lens: A World Bank update flags agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals/oil-gas and ICT/creatives as key job drivers as oil projects near.

Karamoja Security Push: Joint security forces stepped up disarmament in Kotido, targeting armed raids that have hit areas like Kaabong’s Mutunan gold mining camp, where one person died and others were injured; community policing sessions urged residents to surrender illegal firearms and share timely intelligence. Public Pay Update: Government released the 2026/27 public service salary structure (CSI No. 3), effective July 1, with Shs 9.7tr allocated to the wage bill and priority pay adjustments for scientists, teachers, health workers, judicial officers and other technical professionals. Telecom Disruption: MTN Uganda reported a nationwide service disruption after a major power outage at a data centre, affecting calls, internet and Mobile Money; Stanbic Bank customers also faced temporary digital channel challenges. Oil & Refining: Dangote says its planned East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 bpd, alongside 1.4m bpd in Nigeria, as Uganda’s President Museveni backs regional value addition while Hoima’s refinery plan stays on course. Clean Cooking in Schools: Vivo Energy Uganda expanded LPG adoption, installing Shell Gas systems at Nabisunsa Girls’ School as more institutions shift away from firewood. Elections & Land Integrity: Nakaseke leaders urged voters to reject LC1 candidates linked to land grabbing ahead of July 28 polls. Health Crisis Watch: DRC Ebola cases rose to 1,528 infections with 492 deaths, with WHO warning of sustained community transmission and containment gaps. Jobs & Construction: World Bank flagged weak regulation and skills shortages as reasons Uganda’s construction sector creates too few jobs, despite strong growth.

Digital Transformation Push: Zanzibar’s ICT minister says the islands are digitising public services and building an AI-driven start-up ecosystem, boosted by the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus. Higher Education & Finance: Uganda Christian University reports strong growth in enrolment, revenue and research, citing a break-even model for programmes to cut costs and sustain quality. Power & Infrastructure: UEDCL commissioned new integration lines from the Maya substation to improve supply along the Masaka Road corridor, targeting areas like Nsangi, Nabbingo, Mpigi and Buwama. Construction Jobs Bottleneck: The World Bank warns Uganda’s construction sector is held back by weak regulation, skills gaps and slow procurement, limiting job creation despite fast sector growth. Clean Cooking Rollout: Vivo Energy Uganda expands LPG infrastructure for schools, with Nabisunsa Girls’ School among new beneficiaries to reduce firewood dependence. Climate & Livelihoods: A climate-migration report asks if Uganda is ready as rainfall shifts drive floods and landslides, forcing communities to decide whether to stay or move. Ebola in the Region: WHO says DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 1,502 cases with 473 deaths, with insecurity and mining-linked movement complicating containment. Agri-Industry Stories: A Ugandan textile maker turns banana waste into eco-fibre products, creating jobs and exporting; and PDM beneficiaries in Arua are using livestock and crops to build resilience, though market access remains a hurdle.

Power & Infrastructure: UEDCL has commissioned new integration lines from the Maya 220kV/132kV/33kV substation to existing distribution feeders, bringing more reliable supply to the Masaka Road corridor—areas like Nsangi, Nabbingo, Namagoma, Mpigi, Buwama and Mitala Maria are set to see fewer outages. Health & Industry Risk: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 1,502 confirmed cases with 473 deaths, with insecurity in eastern mining zones complicating contact tracing; Uganda is also reporting cases, and UNDP warns the crisis could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. Agribusiness & Climate-Smart Delivery: MAAIF has handed climate-smart agriculture vehicles to 69 districts, with tracking, insurance and warranties to improve farmer support and monitoring under UCSATP. Digital & Jobs: Google Play launched a $1m Indie Games Fund for African studios, offering equity-free capital plus mentorship to help developers scale and reach global markets. Regional Trade & Finance: PAPSS is highlighted as a way to cut cross-border payment costs by enabling local-currency settlement across participating African countries, including Uganda. Sports Hosting Pipeline: CAF has opened bidding for AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036, with attention also on the 2027 East African co-hosting plan involving Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ebola Diagnostic Breakthrough: WHO added the first molecular test for Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing, as DRC and Uganda report a record surge—weekly cases hit the highest level since the outbreak began, with response hampered by insecurity and attacks on treatment centres. Climate-Smart Agriculture Push: MAAIF handed UCSATP vehicles to 69 districts, boosting supervision and farmer support with tracked, insured equipment. Fish Production Upgrade: Victory Farms says it’s scaling fish output by investing in human capital and technology, hiring and training 1,000+ workers to expand supply. Regional Agri-Finance Race: Kenya launched a KES1.081trn (about Sh21trn) NASIP blueprint for 2026–2030, aiming to modernise value chains and create 2m+ jobs—likely to pull more East African capital into farming. Electricity & Growth Pressure: Uganda’s transmission and grid modernisation debate is back in focus as demand rises from factories, homes, and e-mobility. Teacher Training Concern: West Nile education stakeholders urged government to resume training new teachers alongside upgrading serving ones, warning shortages could hit learning. Media & Information Networks: Ghana News Agency joined TV BRICS for content exchange and skills development, expanding Africa’s global media footprint.

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.