AGP Executive Report

Ebola Shock in Uganda: Uganda confirmed three new Ebola cases, bringing infections to five, including a driver linked to the first case and a health worker—while authorities wait on test results for a suspected patient who recently visited an outbreak zone. DRC Spillover & Strain Pressure: The wider crisis is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain in eastern DRC, where insecurity and delayed detection are hampering tracing; WHO has raised DRC’s risk to “very high” even as global risk stays “low.” UN Response Boost: The UN is pushing to accelerate the regional effort with up to $60m for DRC and neighbours. Border & Travel Moves: Uganda is tightening screening and surveillance as the outbreak is treated as a cross-border threat. Governance & Rights: Separately, Uganda’s new foreign financing law further restricts political opposition’s funding options. Digital Sovereignty: Uganda also launched a prototype showcase for digital ID and DPI—aiming to build local systems rather than rely on imports.

Ebola Alarm, Uganda in the Crosshairs: WHO has declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with Congo reporting hundreds of suspected cases and Uganda confirming linked cases—prompting Uganda to postpone major events and intensify screening and surveillance. Containment vs Culture: In Ituri, DRC authorities have banned funeral wakes after clashes with police, highlighting how local customs and conflict make control harder. Health Systems Under Strain: Reports stress late detection, no vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, and fragile facilities—while WHO warns the “scale and speed” could worsen. Digital Sovereignty Push: Uganda launched a Government Systems Prototype Showcase for digital identity and DPI, aiming to reduce reliance on imported government tech. Education Finance: DTB Uganda and Furaha expanded school-fees financing and collection solutions to help schools stay open. Air Quality Watch: Kampala’s AQI is in the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups range, echoing regional pollution pressures. Local Trade Probe: Uganda’s trade ministry and chamber agreed to investigate alleged exclusive supply deals affecting South Sudanese traders.

Ebola Shockwave: WHO has declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with Bundibugyo cases and suspected deaths rising fast; in Congo, anger is boiling over—an Ebola treatment site in Rwampara was set on fire as families fought safe-burial rules—while Uganda reports confirmed cases in Kampala and officials push stronger screening and surveillance. Travel & Border Pressure: The U.S. is tightening entry rules for travellers linked to affected countries, including diverting flights to a single airport, and other regions are activating port-of-entry checks. Local Response Strain: Frontline hospitals in Ituri describe shortages of masks and isolation space, plus earlier mis-testing that delayed recognition. Trade & Competition: Uganda’s Trade Ministry and the Chamber of Commerce will investigate alleged exclusive supply deals blocking South Sudanese traders from imports. Finance & Inclusion: Pride Bank launches the GROW Loan in Soroti to expand credit for SMEs, women and youth; NCBA posts Sh6bn Q1 profit on digital growth. Conservation & Safety: PM Mwigulu issues Lake Victoria directives on rescue readiness and conservation, and Coca-Cola backs road-safety campaigns.

Ebola Escalation at Home and Abroad: WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with cases now reported in the hundreds and officials warning the real spread may be larger than first detected. Uganda’s Ministry of Health says it’s monitoring closely and will boost screening and surveillance from Thursday at Owen Roberts International Airport, while the wider region ramps up port-of-entry checks. Travel Curbs: The US says travellers from Ebola-linked countries will be diverted to one specific airport, and airlines have already rerouted flights after Ebola concerns. Lake Victoria Safety Push: Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba issued six directives to EAC states on Lake Victoria—fully operational rescue coordination centres, stronger conservation, and school-based environmental clubs—linking the push to the 1996 MV Bukoba disaster. Food Security vs Counterfeits: CropLife Uganda Symposium calls for tougher action against counterfeit seeds, fertiliser and crop protection products, including punitive steps for dealers. Tourism and Inclusion: Uganda signs up NUDIPU as Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda’s recruitment partner for disability inclusion, while Uganda courts Australian tour operators to turn interest into arrivals. Climate Pressure: IGAD warns below-normal rains for much of the northern Greater Horn, raising risks for farming and livelihoods.

Ebola Alarm in Central Africa: WHO says the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached 139 suspected deaths and about 600 suspected cases, warning numbers will likely rise as the virus circulated for weeks before detection; risk is high regionally but low globally, and the priority is now tracing transmission chains fast. Uganda Politics: NRM’s CEC is set to decide the party’s preferred Parliament Speaker candidate on Friday, with the ruling party’s internal race still tightly guarded. Lake Victoria Under Pressure: The EAC released its first Lake Victoria Basin report, flagging worsening environmental decline, pollution and ecosystem stress. Food Security & Nature: ECOTALK spotlights how bees underpin crop pollination and livelihoods. Climate-Resilient Farming: AGRA unveiled ClimVAT, a tool using satellite and local data to pinpoint where climate risk is highest for smallholder farmers. Infrastructure Watch: Ganatra launched a heavy-duty JCB 345 LC excavator for big earthmoving and quarry work as regional construction ramps up.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO says the DRC’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than health teams can track, with 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths—and warns numbers will rise as the virus likely circulated for weeks before detection. Regional Alarm: Risk is high in the DRC and regionally, low worldwide, but Uganda has two confirmed cases and one death, and Africa CDC has declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Why It’s Hard to Stop: Experts point to delayed detection, armed conflict, weak infection control, and mobile mining communities—plus no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain. Health Policy Push: In parallel, EU experts urge declaring climate change a public health emergency, linking heat and disease risks to worsening health burdens. Uganda Context: Uganda’s border monitoring and preparedness are now under pressure as the outbreak’s regional spread risk grows. Food Security Innovation: WFP highlights digital tools to reach “zero hunger,” including iris-scan cash transfers for refugees in Jordan.

Ebola Alarm in East Africa: WHO has declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak a global emergency as deaths in eastern DRC hit 131 and suspected cases top 500, with two confirmed cases now reported in Uganda—Africa CDC has also labeled it a continental emergency, while the US tightens travel and urges caution. Cross-border Pressure: Regional leaders are scrambling to strengthen border surveillance and response capacity as the outbreak spreads through conflict-hit, hard-to-reach areas. Health Funding Push: Anglophone African MPs are uniting to cut donor reliance in TB funding, calling for more domestic money for treatment and prevention. Business Finance Boost: EADB unveiled a $13m fund backing youth- and women-led enterprises, alongside improved bank profits. Uganda Tax Justice Fight: Private sector groups are pushing Parliament to reform a rule that forces businesses to deposit 30% of disputed tax before the Tax Appeals Tribunal can hear their case. Conservation Watch: A new look at Bugoma Forest Reserve warns that years of encroachment can’t be undone overnight.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO and Africa CDC have declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a major international/continental emergency as deaths climb to 131 suspected in eastern Congo and cases surge past 500, with the Bundibugyo strain raising alarms because there’s no approved vaccine or treatment for it. Cross-Border Pressure on Uganda: Uganda has confirmed cases in Kampala, and East Africa is tightening border surveillance and readiness as insecurity and population movement in eastern DRC keep response teams under strain. Health Messaging Shift: Africa CDC is pushing countries to mainstream social and behaviour change into health systems—so communities trust services and act early, not late. Uganda Economy Watch: Equity Group’s Q1 2026 results show Equity Bank Uganda assets up 16%, signaling continued demand for banking as the region’s risks rise. Climate Risk Looms: IGAD warns Greater Horn rainfall is likely below normal June–September, with Uganda among the affected areas.

Ebola Escalation: WHO has declared the Congo outbreak a “continental” emergency as deaths in DRC rise to an estimated 131, with 513 suspected cases—and Uganda reports one death. Cross-Border Pressure: The outbreak is spreading beyond Ituri into places like Butembo and Goma, while insecurity and displacement in eastern DRC are hampering surveillance and contact tracing. Aid and Travel Shock: The WHO and partners warn that cuts to US/UK support are worsening the response, and the US has imposed a 30-day travel suspension for people arriving from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda Watch: Uganda authorities confirm cases and are on alert as WHO flags high risk of further spread across land borders. Bigger Picture: WHO also warns the world isn’t keeping up with pandemic risk—preparedness is lagging as outbreaks become more frequent and harder to contain.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, as suspected cases climb and deaths pass 100, with the rare Bundibugyo strain driving fears because there’s no approved vaccine or treatment. Cross-Border Preparedness: Uganda and neighbours are being urged to step up vigilance, while countries far away are tightening entry checks— the US announced a 30-day travel suspension for people arriving from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, and CDC teams coordinate safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans exposed. Response Under Strain: Doctors Without Borders says the outbreak is spreading fast across health zones, and WHO officials point to delays and funeral practices that helped it move undetected. Global Health Pressure: At the World Health Assembly, leaders warned the world isn’t meaningfully safer, even as funding cuts and other crises squeeze readiness. Local Conservation Angle: With outbreaks disrupting movement and services, protecting community health systems is now part of safeguarding livelihoods and wildlife-adjacent landscapes.

Ebola Emergency Hits Uganda: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” after Bundibugyo strain cases were confirmed in Uganda—raising alarm for cross-border spread and prompting countries to tighten screening and response. Cross-Border Push: South Africa’s Ramaphosa warned “Ebola does not respect borders,” urging stronger regional surveillance and coordination as health teams scramble to contain a fast-moving, rare strain with no approved vaccines or treatments. Uganda’s Health System Spotlight: A separate Uganda-focused story shows what works when skilled staff are present—one mother survived severe bleeding because a midwife recognized danger signs and a doctor performed emergency surgery. Regional Integration Watch: Egypt unveiled progress on a Lake Victoria–Mediterranean water project linking 13 countries, a reminder that movement of people and goods is rising—making outbreak preparedness even more urgent. Governance Tension: Uganda’s Parliament passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, reshaping the NGO funding debate and setting the stage for what comes next under the new legislature.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain with no approved vaccines or treatments; reports point to 300+ suspected cases and dozens of deaths, with a lab-confirmed case in Kinshasa and a confirmed imported case in Uganda—while WHO urges countries not to shut borders as conflict and migration make containment harder. Regional Security & Politics: Uganda’s security agencies raided Speaker Anita Among-linked properties in a corruption probe, just before Parliament’s speaker election—fueling claims of a political purge. Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda and Tanzania’s EACOP is reported to be over 70% complete, with regulators satisfied and oil transport still targeted on schedule. EAC Tech Push: IUCEA launched an East African Community AI Alliance to tackle fragmented national approaches. Transport Shift: Uganda unveiled an e-mobility strategy aiming to move public transit off fossil fuels by 2030. Sports: The U17 Lions open their AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifying group today against Côte d’Ivoire.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern,” warning it’s not a pandemic emergency but borders make spread a real risk as Ituri reports 80 suspected deaths, 8 lab-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases. Cross-border Health Pressure: Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo strain is driving concern, with mining-linked movement and hard-to-trace contacts complicating containment. Uganda Politics: Exiled Uganda Law Society president Isaac Ssemakadde says security raids on Speaker Anita Among’s properties look like a “textbook purge” timed to her re-election push. Accountability at the World Bank: The World Bank is considering changes to how it handles complaints—an old debate about whether communities can challenge harm from funded projects. Oil Skills Push: Uganda’s oil sector is being urged to turn training into broader industrial capacity, not just field-ready workers. E-mobility Leap: Uganda unveiled a plan to shift public transit to EVs by 2030, aiming for hundreds of thousands of green jobs.

E-mobility Push: Uganda unveiled a National E-Mobility Strategy aiming to shift public transit buses and motorcycle taxis fully away from fossil fuels by 2030, backed by a $1.7bn plan for up to 3,500 EV charging stations and hundreds of thousands of “green manufacturing” jobs. Anti-Corruption Raids: Security agencies raided properties linked to Parliament Speaker Anita Among over suspected corruption, money laundering and Leadership Code violations—just days after the new legislators were sworn in. Health Alarm: In eastern DR Congo’s Ituri, a new Ebola outbreak has killed 65 people and flagged 246 suspected cases, with Africa CDC warning of cross-border spread risk due to mining-linked movement. Agri-Exports: Uganda flagged off its first shipment of canned pineapples to China (104 tonnes), betting on agro-processing to unlock stable markets for farmers. Data & Elections: A report warns Uganda’s 2026 polls faced major data protection and digital governance gaps, with biometric systems raising surveillance and “function creep” risks. Seeds for Resilience: GIZ distributed certified foundation seeds in Yei and Magwi to boost climate-resilient yields ahead of planting.

Bank of Uganda Watch: BoU forecasts strong growth of 6.5–7% this year, but Governor Michael Atingi-Ego warns the longer the US/Israeli war on Iran drags on, the more it could hit Uganda through higher oil prices and uncertainty; the Central Bank Rate stays at 9.75% and inflation projections are revised to 5–5.3%. Ebola Alarm (DRC): A fresh Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province has killed 65 people and flagged 246 suspected cases, with mining-linked movement and insecurity raising fears of cross-border spread; Africa CDC is convening DRC, Uganda and South Sudan for an emergency push. Uganda Exports: Uganda has flagged off its first shipment of canned pineapples to China (104 tonnes), betting on agro-processing jobs and steadier markets. Elections Data Risk: A new report says Uganda’s 2026 polls had major data protection gaps, with biometric and identity systems raising surveillance and “function creep” concerns. Tourism Push: Uganda’s bikers plan a 1,000km European tour to market wildlife and culture.

Ebola Emergency: Eastern DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 65 people and flagged 246 suspected cases in Ituri, with Africa CDC warning the mining hubs and fast cross-border movement could spread the virus into Uganda and South Sudan; an urgent regional coordination meeting is underway. Agro-Exports: Uganda has officially launched its first shipment of canned pineapples to China—104 metric tonnes from Luwero—aimed at turning perishable fruit into reliable market demand. Regional Finance: Uganda is courting Tanzanian investors for a €405m Sukuk bond to help fund the Malaba–Kampala Standard Gauge Railway, with a global launch expected in late June. Digital Governance: A new report warns Uganda’s 2026 elections faced major data protection gaps, as biometric and identity systems were heavily used. Tourism Push: Uganda’s leisure bikers are set for a 1,000km European tour to market the country’s wildlife and culture.