AGP Executive Report

Security: Police are investigating the beheading of Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan soldier and Kagame critic found dead in Mpigi. His head is missing, and his widow says she fears for her family’s safety. Rural Exports: A cooperative in Otuke has shipped 23 tonnes of shea butter to the United States, up 156% from its previous consignment. The business involves about 1,000 women from Otuke and Agago. Public Health: Ebola has spread across eight provinces in the DRC and into Uganda and Kenya, as Africa’s disease-control agency seeks answers over more than $700 million in response funds. Banking: Bank of Uganda reported a Shs1.32 trillion surplus for 2025/26, double the previous year, citing spending discipline. Consumer Protection: The National Drug Authority has launched a nationwide crackdown on unregistered herbal medicines and illegal advertising, with one suspect arrested in Rubanda. Courts: Roko Construction must pay Assa Abloy $1.39 million (about Shs5.7 billion) for doors and fittings supplied to Mulago Hospital. Agriculture: Coffee farmers are urged to consider insurance and irrigation as they recover from months of drought.

Political Detention: Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been transferred to Mulago Hospital as his lawyers seek an urgent hearing on his bail application, saying his health has deteriorated in detention. Cross-Border Security: Police are investigating the beheading of Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan soldier and government critic found dead in Mpigi. His head is still missing, and police say the motive is unknown. Railway Development: Uganda Railways Corporation began demolishing structures on the Kampala–Kasese railway reserve in Kyengera, clearing land for railway rehabilitation and the planned western SGR route. Business & Finance: A tax consultant says more than 90% of Ugandan businesses fail to meet tax obligations, as URA targets Sh40.16 trillion in revenue for 2026/27. Bank of India Uganda has also introduced its first debit cards, giving customers access to Interswitch ATMs and merchant payments. Charcoal Policy: After Parliament suspended enforcement of the commercial charcoal ban, FDC called for talks with traders and a phased transition, warning against militarised enforcement. Infrastructure Finance: The OPEC Fund is appraising a €150 million loan for Uganda’s SGR project.

Regional Ebola Alert: Kenya’s Bundibugyo Ebola infections have risen to eight, including three health workers; all were identified in quarantine, with no community transmission reported. Uganda has also begun a first-stage trial of an Ebola vaccine in Masaka. Security: A former Rwandan soldier and government critic was found beheaded in Mpigi, prompting a police investigation. Trade and Industry: Uganda and South Sudan signed a deal to tackle border delays and inspections, while South Sudanese traders seek direct access to Ugandan manufacturers. Local producers are also calling for lower taxes and affordable loans to curb rising costs. Economy: The Bank of Uganda has tightened policy amid pressure on the shilling and reported capital outflows. President Museveni urged Ugandans abroad to invest in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and technology, rather than relying on remittances alone.

Security: Gunmen shot dead Kisoro businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, at their home gate late Saturday. Police are investigating; no arrests have been reported. Regional Health: Congo’s worst-ever Ebola outbreak has spread to an eighth province, with more than 9,400 cases and 4,500 deaths. Kenya has confirmed seven cases, including three health workers. Uganda says it is free of the disease, but the regional spread keeps vigilance critical. Land: Recent evictions and title cancellations highlight a gap between Uganda’s extensive land laws and the protection occupants experience in practice. Infrastructure: Unrepaired erosion and defects at Isimba Dam’s spillway have renewed flood concerns ahead of forecast heavy rains; officials revisited the site, but disclosed no repair timetable. Business: Rising rent, taxes, transport and electricity costs are pushing traders from major cities to cheaper rural centres. Investment: At independence celebrations in Beijing and Melbourne, officials urged Ugandans at home and abroad to invest in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and value addition.

Farm Business: A Lira farmer is turning coffee into a growing enterprise through seedlings, value addition and cooperative marketing, as the crop gains ground in Northern Uganda. Cost of Living: Traders are urging the Bank of Uganda to discuss alternatives to higher interest rates, warning that borrowing costs, fuel prices and the weak shilling are squeezing businesses. Banks are waiving some digital transaction fees to ease costs for customers. Infrastructure: Fresh concern surrounds defects at Isimba Dam, where erosion at the spillway raises flood risks as the rainy season approaches. Regional Trade: Uganda and Kenya have agreed to remove barriers affecting agricultural exports, while traders say border delays continue to hamper sales to South Sudan. Food Security: Ugandan scientists have introduced purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties rich in vitamins, aiming to improve nutrition.

Ebola Watch: Kenya confirmed four new Bundibugyo Ebola cases, taking its total to seven, including three health workers. All were already quarantined; Uganda has also begun a first-phase trial of an Ebola vaccine. Trade: Uganda and Kenya agreed to tackle barriers holding up agricultural exports, including discriminatory levies and delays at border posts. Infrastructure: Concerns are mounting over erosion at Isimba dam’s spillway as the rainy season approaches; officials inspected the site, but no repair timetable was announced. Economy: The Bank of Uganda raised its benchmark rate to 12% amid pressure on the shilling and inflation, while the government is seeking a new IMF programme to access cheaper financing. Food Security: Uganda unveiled three purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties, with stakeholders urging that research innovations reach farmers’ fields.

Currency and Financing: The Bank of Uganda says the shilling’s fall reflects a widening current-account deficit and weaker portfolio investment, not the Sovereignty Act. It has raised its policy rate to 12% to curb inflation and support the currency, while the government is seeking a new IMF programme for cheaper financing. Public Spending: Uganda released Shs21.82 trillion for the second quarter, including Shs10.75 trillion for debt repayments and refinancing. Oil and Trade: The $4 billion Hoima refinery is targeting a February 2027 investment decision, but key agreements and engineering work remain outstanding. President Museveni urged the EU to support local processing of African raw materials to create jobs and retain more value at home. Ebola Response: Uganda has begun a first-phase trial of an Oxford-developed vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain. The DRC outbreak has claimed more than 4,400 lives, while Kenya has confirmed a third case. Food Security: New purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties aim to boost nutrition and farmer incomes; officials are also promoting science-led farming and aquaculture as wild fish stocks decline.

Currency and Borrowing: The shilling remains under pressure, prompting emergency Bank of Uganda action amid reported capital flight. Uganda is also seeking more concessional IMF financing to improve its credit rating, while releasing Shs21.82 trillion for the second quarter. Farm Innovation: NARO has launched three purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties, with potential uses ranging from food security to flour and other products. Women farmers, meanwhile, need better access to finance and digital tools to benefit from AI and other technologies. Projects and Preparedness: The World Bank says bureaucracy is delaying Ugandan projects in health, education, water, energy and digital services. New weather stations and upgraded equipment are planned across eastern Uganda to improve flood warnings. Regional Health: Kenya has confirmed a third Bundibugyo Ebola case linked to the first patients. The initial case travelled through Uganda from the DRC, underscoring the importance of cross-border surveillance. Public Service: The Health Ministry says Arua doctor Robert Candia was not suspended after a minister’s on-camera announcement, stressing that disciplinary action must follow official procedures.

Public Finance: Government released Shs21.82 trillion for the second quarter of 2026/27, about 26% of the annual budget, with funds limited to approved programmes. Human Rights: Parliament’s oversight committee recommended retiring Uganda Human Rights Commission leaders found responsible for internal divisions that have disrupted the body’s work. Charcoal Ban: Parliament suspended enforcement until October 21, pending a government report on affordable cooking alternatives, as traders say billions of shillings’ worth of charcoal is stranded at the South Sudan border. Health: Tororo has received a mobile TB clinic with digital X-ray screening, aiming to raise detection and bring services to hard-to-reach communities. Cost of Poor Sanitation: A government report says unsafe water and sanitation kill about 33 children daily and cost Uganda Shs5.9 trillion a year. Currency Pressure: The shilling weakened again despite Bank of Uganda intervention; Governor Michael Atingi-Ego blamed external imbalances and reduced investment flows as the central bank rate stands at 12%.

Ebola Research: A Phase I trial of an Oxford-developed vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain is underway in Masaka, aiming to recruit 110 volunteers. No licensed vaccine currently protects against this strain. Economy: The Bank of Uganda has raised its benchmark rate to 12% to curb shilling weakness and inflation, but economists warn higher borrowing costs could squeeze businesses and households. Charcoal Trade: Parliament has suspended enforcement of the charcoal ban pending a review, after traders said 90,000 bags worth Shs2.4 billion were stranded at the South Sudan border; officials cite forest loss and food-security risks. Regional Trade: President Museveni says Uganda wants to grow annual exports to South Sudan beyond $700 million, with talks focusing on easing border procedures, improving security on the Juba–Nimule road and advancing electricity links. Digital Partnerships: Uganda and South Korea are exploring cooperation on AI, digital services and ICT skills, including tools to make government information available in local languages.

Currency and Costs: The Bank of Uganda raised its benchmark rate sharply to 12% as the shilling’s slide and rising fuel prices threatened inflation. The currency rebounded after the move, but higher borrowing costs could squeeze households and businesses, while the central bank lowered its growth forecast. Charcoal Policy: Parliament suspended enforcement of the charcoal trade ban until ministers explain how affordable cooking alternatives will be provided. Traders say stocks worth billions of shillings are stranded, while the government says restrictions are needed to protect forests. Regional Trade: Uganda and South Sudan signed a deal to tackle border delays and costs, and Uganda and Kenya agreed to remove barriers restricting goods movement. The test will be whether the commitments improve trade on the ground. Ebola Watch: Kenya confirmed a second Ebola case in a quarantined relative of its first patient; both cases are linked, with no wider spread reported. The first patient travelled through Uganda, underscoring the importance of cross-border vigilance as the DRC outbreak grows. Value Addition: President Museveni urged the EU to back local processing of African raw materials, saying it could create jobs and help producers earn more.

Monetary Policy: The Bank of Uganda raised its benchmark rate by 2.25 points to 12% at an emergency meeting, seeking to steady the shilling and contain inflation. The move may also make loans costlier as the bank warns inflation could reach 7.5% over the next year. Ebola Watch: Kenya confirmed a second Ebola case in a relative of its first patient, who had travelled through Uganda before being diagnosed. The new case was already in quarantine; Uganda says it is tightening screening at its DRC border. Mining and Investment: Uganda’s Energy Minister called for African countries to capture more value from minerals through processing and industrial development. Separately, Uganda ranked fourth in the 2026 Africa Financial Markets Index, ahead of Kenya in fifth place. Oil and Infrastructure: Uganda’s oil company says production could begin by June 2027, with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline 92% complete. Meanwhile, a minister told Parliament the digital number-plate deal is not legally binding, renewing scrutiny of the costly vehicle-tracking project.

Ebola Watch: Uganda has tightened screening at its DRC border after a Kenyan man who travelled through Uganda from Congo died in Nairobi. The DRC outbreak has passed 9,000 cases, with 4,381 deaths; officials warn infected travellers may not yet show symptoms. Economy: Bank of Uganda’s reserves rose to $6.7 billion in the year to June, up from $4.3 billion, but the shilling has since come under pressure as fuel and import costs climb. Investment Drive: Uganda is offering Thai investors 10-year tax holidays, full foreign ownership and unrestricted profit transfers. In Rome, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja urged Italian firms to invest in agro-processing, especially coffee, to boost local value addition and jobs. Business: Nile Breweries says it sources more than 98% of its raw materials locally, works with about 25,000 farmers and spends Shs156 billion a year on local procurement. Court: Tejas Patel has been remanded to Luzira Prison after prosecutors amended the charge sheet to include aggravated human trafficking.

Currency and Markets: The shilling hit an intraday low of Sh4,240 to the dollar ahead of an emergency Bank of Uganda policy meeting on Wednesday. The central bank’s announcement prompted some dollar selling, and the currency recovered part of its losses by close. Higher fuel prices are adding pressure. Ebola Alert: The DRC’s outbreak has passed 9,000 cases, with 4,381 deaths. Kenya’s first imported case travelled through Uganda, raising cross-border concerns; Uganda has secured 3,000 doses for an Ebola vaccine trial. Investment Drive: Uganda is courting Thai investors in agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism and mining, as officials promote the country’s investment rules and seek to attract foreign capital. Public Safety: Parliament wants government to consider reactivating local defence units after deadly attacks in Mubende and Kyegegwa, where MPs reported 10 people killed. Digital Oversight: Uganda’s communications regulator has given about 4,000 unlicensed public Wi-Fi operators seven days to comply or face enforcement. The move comes as a new report warns that digital public systems can exclude people with limited connectivity or digital skills.

Tourism Push: Uganda is courting high-value weddings, conferences and celebrations, with an international events expo in Kampala aimed at drawing investors and business to hotels, tour operators and other local firms. Health Funding: MPs want a funding model tailored to Kampala’s needs after Kisenyi Health Centre IV treated 323,000 patients last year—more than three times its design capacity. In Rubanda, a report also flags overcrowding, medicine and bed shortages, and staff absenteeism. Fuel Costs: Pump prices of Shs6,800–7,000 a litre face further pressure from tight global diesel supplies and a weakening shilling, while Uganda has limited control over prices in its liberalised market. Local Industry: Ugandan technology firms are asking Parliament for a fair, transparent role in the national vehicle-tracking programme, including safeguards for local businesses and vehicle owners. Agriculture: ACODE is urging dedicated budget funding for solar-powered irrigation, as unreliable rains threaten smallholder harvests. Regional Alert: A Kenyan Ebola patient travelled through Kampala before reaching Nairobi; Kenya reports no further infections in 293 tests.

AFCON 2027: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are working on a joint visa to help fans travel between host countries, with hopes of boosting tourism and business. Road Projects: A shortage of bitumen is delaying asphalt work on roads across Uganda, including KCCA projects, putting construction timelines at risk. UCE Exams: More than 503,000 candidates began exams, but heavy rain and poor roads delayed paper deliveries in some areas; five registered candidates were reported absent. Accountability: The Inspectorate of Government recovered Shs5.7 billion in the first half of 2026, against Shs441.6 billion recommended for recovery, raising questions about enforcement. Courts: A pre-trial hearing has begun in the Shs60 billion Bank of Uganda heist case, where Finance Ministry officials deny the charges. Trade: Denmark has granted Uganda US$300,000 to help horticultural exporters cut shipping costs and meet international standards.