AGP Executive Report

Climate & health shocks: Kenya is set to receive about KSh 51.8bn (US$400m) in World Bank emergency financing within six weeks, aimed at tackling Ebola risks, El Niño impacts on agriculture and water, and energy-price pressure. Uganda angle: the funding plan also notes cross-border health preparedness, with Ebola linked to outbreaks in DR Congo and Uganda. Uganda construction safety: Uganda’s builders’ association launched a push to remove carcinogenic asbestos roofing from schools and health facilities, with proceeds from a contractors’ run feeding the replacement effort. BRICS & global policy: As the 18th BRICS Summit opens in New Delhi (Sept 12–13), leaders including Uganda VP Jessica Alupo arrive amid US–Iran tensions; discussions highlight trade, payments, energy and sustainability, including calls to link payment systems and expand local-currency trade. Wildlife tourism (Kibale): A new “slower pace” safari concept spotlights Uganda’s Kibale region beyond chimp tracking, tying conservation landscapes to community experiences.

BRICS Summit, Global South focus: New Delhi is gearing up for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit (Sept 12–13) with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin among top arrivals, while Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo leads the country’s delegation under the theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Security & logistics: Delhi Police has mobilised 15,000 personnel and about 200 CAPF units, with major traffic controls and route sanitisation for visiting heads of state. Climate & hunger pressure in Uganda: Save the Children Initiative warns El Niño-linked dry spells are driving a sharp rise in acute malnutrition in Karamoja—acute cases up from 122,100 to 154,200 since June, with crisis levels worsening. Wildlife conservation deal: UWA and Wildlife Conservation Society sign a 10-year lion recovery agreement for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, targeting protection, habitat restoration and reduced human-wildlife conflict. Oil & environment watch: Uganda’s Kingfisher oilfield core surface facilities have passed mechanical completion acceptance, moving the project toward production. Migration data gap: IGAD reports Uganda is a major migration destination and transit hub, but warns that limited, fragmented migration data makes risk tracking harder. UWA rangers under scrutiny: Allegations and shootings involving UWA armed rangers are escalating concerns over command, supervision and accountability.

Wildlife & Accountability: Uganda Wildlife Authority is facing mounting backlash after allegations that armed rangers shot and killed a woman in Ajai Game Reserve, reigniting questions about command, supervision and accountability. Education Funding Pressure: Only 2,790 of 10,615 applicants were approved for Uganda’s 2026/27 government higher-education loans, despite a surge in demand. Climate & Food Resilience: Uganda is pushing value addition for farmers with a US$40,000 sweet potato processing facility in Serere, aiming to cut bulk losses and open markets. Energy & Environment: China-built Kingfisher oilfield in Uganda has passed mechanical completion acceptance, moving the country closer to commercial oil production. Agriculture Policy Relief: Government plans to write off over Shs35 billion in tea factory tax arrears to help revive a struggling tea sector. Regional Health Risk: DRC’s Ebola outbreak is described as at a tipping point, with spread reaching Uganda and major response efforts underway. Global Diplomacy Watch: Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo is set to attend BRICS-related events in India as the summit spotlights food, energy and supply-chain security.

El Niño & floods risk: Weather experts warn the October short rains may start unevenly across East Africa, with El Niño strengthening and raising flood, disease and livelihood threats—Uganda included. Oil & environment: Uganda names its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet” as production nears, but buyers may be limited by high wax content and heating needs, raising the stakes for turning oil into reliable, cleaner commerce. Wildlife & land: Uganda’s UWA faces renewed scrutiny after reports of ranger killings in Ajai Reserve and elephant crop raids in Kitgum, while communities plant trees to rebuild a wildlife buffer near Bwindi. Climate finance for farmers: IFAD and Equity Group launch a $200m climate fund for East African farmers, aiming to cut climate-driven losses and improve resilience. Tea sector support: Government plans to write off over Shs35b in tea factory tax arrears to revive a struggling industry. Governance & regulation: Petroleum Authority of Uganda confirms Fred Kabanda as new Executive Director as commercial oil production approaches. Child protection: KCCA repatriates 200+ street children from Kampala after a crackdown on trafficking and exploitation. BRICS diplomacy: India hosts the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi (Sep 12–13), with Uganda listed among partner countries and sustainability, food and energy resilience on the agenda.

El Niño Alert: WHO and Kenya are ramping up health readiness for the 2026/27 El Niño rains, warning of flood-linked waterborne diseases and disruptions to routine care. Climate & Food Security: Scientists and the World Food Programme warn El Niño could worsen drought and floods across East Africa, pushing millions more into acute food insecurity. Uganda Diaspora Unity: Uganda’s Office of the President Diaspora Affairs announces a High-Level Diaspora Conference and a Diaspora Unity Marathon to strengthen links between diaspora, forced migrants and communities at home. Tea Industry Rescue: Uganda plans to write off over Sh35bn in tea factory tax arrears to help revive operations. Bwindi Buffer Restoration: Communities near Bwindi have planted 4,053 agroforestry trees across 40 hectares to rebuild a wildlife buffer and ease pressure on gorilla habitat. MTN x WWF Innovation: MTN Uganda and WWF launch the 2026 PachiPanda Innovation Challenge for youth solutions that protect the environment and create jobs. EAC Cross-Border Tensions: African CSOs warn Kenya’s crackdown on foreign informal traders could fuel discrimination and xenophobia across the region. Oil Export Push: Uganda names its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” targeting early exports and ramping production ahead of commercial delivery. EACOP Local Supply: EACOP-linked guidance urges farmers to form SACCOs and get certified to supply contractors with safe, quality produce.

El Niño & health preparedness: WHO and Kenya’s government are stepping up readiness for the 2026/27 El Niño season, focusing on disease surveillance, safe water and sanitation, lab response, and keeping essential services running as flooding risks rise. Drought & regional milk pressure: Kenya says it’s importing milk from Uganda as a prolonged dry spell cuts local supply, raising worries that Ugandan farmers and processors may face tighter availability. EACOP local supply push: EACOP-linked farmers are being urged to form SACCOs and get certified through UNBS/district offices so their produce meets contractor standards and can access higher-value markets. Climate finance for farmers: IFAD and Equity Group launched a $200m ARCAFIM mechanism for East Africa, including Uganda, targeting 260,000 smallholders and 500 MSMEs with 12-year climate adaptation support. Kampala waste challenge: HEPS-Uganda launched a youth innovation challenge calling for practical solutions to Kampala’s solid waste crisis. Biodiversity blind spot: Monash University researchers say tropical insect conservation is being overlooked and propose a global strategy to close the gaps. Ugandan agritech win: SANDI AI won a $50,000 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize for using AI to unlock finance and infrastructure access for farmers. Oil name “Pearl Sweet” nearing exports: Uganda’s export crude blend “Pearl Sweet” is being highlighted as production approaches first exports.

Climate Finance for Farmers: IFAD and Equity Group launched the $200m (Sh25.8bn) Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM), a 12-year push to help smallholders and rural businesses in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda adapt to climate shocks, targeting about 260,000 farmers and 500 MSMEs. Food Security & Weather Risk: Farmers in Katakwi say government coffee-seedling distribution failed during a prolonged dry spell, with seedlings drying up due to poor timing and lack of irrigation support. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Kapchorwa farmers report persistent monkey raids destroying gardens and crops, renewing calls for Uganda Wildlife Authority action to protect household food security. Wildlife Protection & Accountability: Reports highlight serious concerns around UWA ranger conduct and wildlife-related violence, adding pressure for stronger enforcement and safeguards. Oil & Environment Watch: Uganda named its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet” as oil projects near production, raising new attention on how extraction will be managed alongside environmental risks. Clean Air Data: A new Africa-wide air quality brief says more than 20 countries still miss WHO air pollution guidelines, urging better monitoring and action. Education & Community Support: Equity Bank Uganda backed Vurra Secondary School’s expansion with dormitory financing, easing accommodation pressure as enrolment grows.

Oil & Environment Governance: Ghana and Uganda’s petroleum regulators are trading lessons on upstream governance, including environmental standards and local content, as Uganda pushes its oil agenda. Climate & Disaster Risk: Survivors of Uganda’s 2019 Bududa landslide have resumed their court fight after nearly five years, as eastern Uganda braces for another rainy season and renewed landslide fears. Weather Early Warning: South Korea’s KMA is set to transfer numerical weather prediction and AI models to Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Tunisia and Uganda to strengthen early warnings for severe weather. Waste & Recycling Economy: A Kenya study flags how fragmented recycling value chains and weak financing keep most waste from becoming higher-value business inputs. Clean Cooking Finance: Carbon credit financing is being used to make cleaner cookstoves more affordable across Africa, cutting household smoke and pressure on forests. Uganda Investment Push: Uganda’s Prime Minister Nabbanja pitches the country to global investors at Dubai’s AIM, citing decades of peace and incentives, with agriculture and minerals highlighted. Local Accountability: Uganda’s Local Government Finance Commission faces Auditor General scrutiny over missing assets, weak planning and revenue failures.

Oil & Markets: President Museveni has unveiled Uganda’s export crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” marking the shift from years of oil promises to a commercial test as buyers and pricing now matter. Disaster Risk & Justice: Survivors of Uganda’s 2019 Bududa landslide have resumed their legal fight in Mbale High Court after nearly five years, demanding stronger disaster management and compensation. Climate & Agriculture: Farmers in Acholi are adopting drought-resistant seeds as dry spells threaten harvests, while eastern Uganda braces for another intense rainy season after El Niño warnings. Clean Cooking Finance: Carbon credit financing is helping households switch from charcoal to cleaner induction cooking, cutting smoke and costs—an approach aimed at reducing forest pressure and household air pollution. Carbon Markets Policy: Uganda-based policy experts are partnering with East African states to build credible voluntary carbon markets, including rules and institutional capacity. Wildlife Conservation: Rangers and partners continue wildlife moves and monitoring efforts, including recent coverage of giraffes transported across the Nile and ongoing tracking of hard-to-survive animals. Local Governance & Environment: Mpigi District lifted a sand mining ban after operators agreed to repair damaged roads and use a designated route, speed humps and maintenance to curb harm. Tech for Health: Kenya is testing an AI smartphone tool to speed mosquito identification for malaria surveillance—an approach Uganda could learn from.

Clean Cooking & Carbon Credits: Carbon credit financing is emerging as Africa’s biggest bet to scale clean cooking, with nearly 1 billion people still using charcoal or firewood and household air pollution linked to about 850,000 deaths a year; Uganda is also seeing policy support as carbon markets gear up. Carbon Markets in East Africa: VCMI and the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance (EAA) have partnered to help governments build credible, high-integrity voluntary carbon markets, including national strategies and regulatory frameworks, with Kampala-based technical support. Protected Areas for Ugandans: Uganda Wildlife Authority will run “Open Parks Days” from 25–27 September, offering free entry to seven national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to boost domestic tourism ahead of World Tourism Day. Ebola Response Update: Uganda was declared Ebola-free after 42 days with no cases, following rapid activation of surveillance, a temporary lab, quarantining, and contact tracing. Climate Risk & Farming: Civil society is pushing solar-powered farming to protect agriculture as rainfall becomes less reliable, arguing solar can power irrigation, cooling and storage while cutting reliance on fossil-fuel generators. EACOP Oil Milestone: EACOP says the pipeline is at about 87.8% completion, targeting oil transport to start on 15 January 2027. Wildlife Story: A lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Jacob, lost a leg and an eye yet continues hunting, with new drone footage revealing how he survives. Mobility Shock: Uber has exited Nigeria and Uganda, raising questions about driver livelihoods and commuter access as local ride-hailing players prepare to fill the gap. King Oyo Returns Home: The body of Tooro’s King Oyo IV has been flown back to Uganda for a nine-day mourning period, with succession questions now in focus.

Ebola Response: Uganda marked success after a rapid, coordinated containment effort, with WHO declaring the country Ebola-free after 42 days and no new cases since the last patient was discharged. Climate & Farming: CSOs are pushing solar-powered farming to keep agriculture running as rainfall becomes less reliable, while experts explain how El Niño’s warming Pacific can reshape East Africa’s weather beyond just floods. Protected Areas & Tourism: UWA announced three days of free entry to selected national parks and wildlife reserves (Sept 25–27) to boost domestic tourism ahead of World Tourism Day. Wildlife Protection: UWA deployed canine units at Busia and Malaba borders to curb illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Climate Finance for Farmers: IFAD and Equity Group launched ARCAFIM, a $200m mechanism to fund climate adaptation for smallholders and rural businesses across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Health Funding: Uganda is finalising a 10-year health financing strategy (2026–2036) to raise domestic funding and cut donor dependence. Oil & Skills: EACOP awarded scholarships to 16 underprivileged students at Kyambogo and Makerere to complete final-year studies. Transport & Livelihoods: Uber shut down ride-hailing in Nigeria and Uganda, triggering mixed reactions and raising concerns about commuter access and driver earnings. Air Quality Watch: Kampala was listed among the world’s more polluted cities in a recent air quality report, underscoring health risks for sensitive groups. Uganda’s Economy & Infrastructure: Makerere began construction of a Shs96b business college complex, and Jinja launched a Shs82.88b roads upgrade project.

Protected Areas & Tourism Boost: Uganda Wildlife Authority launches 2026 Open Park Days (Sept 25–27) with three days of free entry to Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley and several wildlife reserves to spread visitors beyond usual hotspots and deepen conservation pride. Climate Adaptation Finance: IFAD and Equity Group roll out ARCAFIM, a $200m (about Shs755b) climate adaptation mechanism for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, targeting ~260,000 smallholders and 500 rural MSMEs with support for irrigation, water harvesting, resilient agro-processing and renewable energy. Air Quality Watch: Kampala is flagged among the world’s worst air quality readings, with pollution levels classed “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” raising health concerns for children and people with heart or lung conditions. Wildlife Protection at Borders: UWA deploys canine units at Busia and Malaba to curb illegal wildlife trade. Oil & Environment: Uganda names its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” positioning it for commercial production while renewing attention on environmental stewardship around EACOP. Health Funding Reform: Uganda finalises a 10-year health financing strategy (2026–2036) to raise domestic funding and cut reliance on donors. Tourism Tech Push: Uganda plans World Tourism Day (Sept 27) celebrations in Mbale under a digital/AI theme to grow receipts and extend visitor stays.

Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Uganda Wildlife Authority deployed canine units at Busia and Malaba border posts to curb illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Climate Finance for Farmers: IFAD and Equity Group launched the $200m Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM), with Uganda among the beneficiaries; it targets about 260,000 smallholders and 500 rural MSMEs across 12 years, including irrigation, water harvesting, resilient agro-processing and renewable energy. Health Funding Shift: Uganda is finalising a 10-year health financing strategy (2026–2036) to raise domestic funding and cut reliance on donors, with stronger accountability to protect vulnerable households from catastrophic costs. Clean Energy for Businesses: Sawa Energy and dfcu Bank launched a partnership to finance on-site solar and battery systems for SMEs and corporates through long-term pay-for-consumption or lease deals. Oil & Environment Watch: Uganda named its crude export blend “Pearl Sweet” as oil projects near first exports, while carbon-market officials warn Uganda’s rules must prevent exploitation of natural sinks. Tourism Goes Digital: Uganda plans to use AI and digital tools to boost tourism receipts and length of stay ahead of World Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale.

Agri-tech Finance: Ugandan startup SANDI AI Technologies won the 2026 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize, taking about Shs190m (US$50,000) to expand an AI platform that helps smallholder farmers access unsecured loans by better assessing their needs and potential. Carbon Market Warnings: Environment Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire cautioned that Uganda’s carbon market could face unfair exploitation, saying global rules are too complex and may drain returns away from African communities. Oil & Environment: Uganda named its export crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” saying it is low-sulfur and easier to refine, while officials framed the move as a chance for industrial growth and stewardship. Clean Energy Access: Sawa Energy and dfcu Bank launched a partnership to help SMEs shift to solar and battery systems through long-term pay-for-consumption or lease deals. Water & Health: Walk4Water (McFarland Lutheran) plans to fund five new freshwater wells in rural Uganda, replacing polluted water sources that drive disease. Tourism Tech Push: Uganda is using AI and digital tools to boost tourism earnings ahead of World Tourism Day, with receipts up and stays lengthening. Biodiversity Moment: Rwanda unveiled names for 22 new baby mountain gorillas at Kwita Izina, spotlighting conservation values.

Tourism Tech Push: Uganda is leaning on AI and digital tools to boost tourism earnings and lengthen stays ahead of World Tourism Day in Mbale, with receipts up 25.6% to about Shs2.30tn (Jan–Jun) and average stays rising to 8.3 nights. Energy Access for SMEs: Sawa Energy and dfcu Bank sign a partnership to finance on-site solar PV and battery systems for businesses via long-term pay-for-consumption or lease deals, aiming to cut high costs and diesel reliance. Oil Sector Leadership Change: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda confirms Ernest Rubondo’s exit after his second term and appoints Otonga Michael Ochan as Acting Executive Director from Sept 1, pending a substantive boss. Climate Adaptation Finance: IFAD and Equity Group launch ARCAFIM, a US$200m mechanism to help smallholders and rural enterprises access climate adaptation funding across East Africa. Wildlife & Forest Loss: A new report warns Uganda’s Mvule trees are vanishing fast, with slow-growing giants being cut faster than they can regenerate. Water Rights & Quality: Ele Jan Saaf urges governments to treat rivers as rights-holders to better protect shared water resources. Clean Energy Deal: Sawa Energy and dfcu Bank’s “Go Green” initiative targets affordable, reliable power for Uganda’s private sector.

Climate Risk for Uganda: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is likely to persist into early 2027 and intensify, raising the odds of floods, landslides, mudslides and violent storms across parts of Uganda as rains ramp up from September to December. Children on the Frontline: UNICEF says over 162 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa face El Niño-linked threats to nutrition, clean water, schooling and safety—Uganda is among the most exposed countries. Wildlife Conflict: Kitgum farmers say about 70 elephants are roaming communities and destroying crops, with calls for stronger protection as hunger fears grow. Oil Naming & Stewardship: Uganda unveiled its export crude blend name “Pearl Sweet,” tied to low sulphur and easier refining, while officials stressed environmental stewardship and prudent management. Health Funding Shift: Uganda and the US signed a $1.7b, five-year health deal (2026–2030) with more funds flowing through government systems for stronger health systems and outbreak response. Police Housing Push: The police launched a block-making project to produce building materials in-house, aiming to ease persistent accommodation shortages. Air Pollution Watch: Kampala appears among the world’s more polluted cities in a global air quality ranking, underscoring ongoing health risks.