AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: Uganda has declared itself officially Ebola-free after completing 42 days of surveillance with no new cases, closing a 74-day outbreak that infected 20 people and killed two—while the Democratic Republic of Congo’s outbreak keeps surging toward record levels. Climate & Hunger: In West Pokot, prolonged drought is pushing nearly 60,000 people toward urgent food needs as crops fail, water sources dry up, and pastoralists move with livestock. Conservation & Wildlife: Uganda’s Mt Rwenzori Marathon has earned World Athletics Label status, putting the region’s protected landscapes and wildlife-rich routes on the global running map. Agri-Food & Livelihoods: A new commentary argues Uganda’s food surplus must translate into fair pay for farmers by adding value closer to production and improving market access. Media & Civic Space: Nation Media Group Uganda is set to resume operations after a month-long shutdown, as President Museveni cleared the return—an important signal for public information in a tense civic environment.

Ebola Update: Uganda has declared itself Ebola-free after 42 days without a new case, following discharge of the last Bundibugyo patient on June 16—while DR Congo’s outbreak keeps surging past 1,400 deaths, underscoring how fast the virus can cross borders. Wildlife & Land Use: Uganda’s wildlife authority relocated 12 endangered Nubian giraffes to a safer home to protect them from oil-drilling pressures in the country’s largest park. Deforestation Pressure: A new spotlight on Uganda’s deforestation crisis says the country lost 23% of tree cover (2000–2020), driven largely by farm expansion, logging and fossil fuel extraction—raising risks for forests, wildlife and climate resilience. Energy Transition Debate: Activists warn Africa’s “green transition” can become “energy transition extractivism,” as communities near critical minerals face displacement and environmental harm. Food & Climate Resilience: Policy voices across the region stress that agrifood transformation and science-backed innovation are key to cutting food insecurity and building resilience to climate shocks. Community Safety Tech: MTN Uganda handed over a refurbished Mpanga Market in Fort Portal, aiming for a safer, cleaner trading space with smart surveillance and connectivity.

Ebola Preparedness & Health Sovereignty: Uganda’s Ebola risk stays in the spotlight as WHO flags the outbreak after cases cross from DR Congo into Uganda, underscoring how zoonotic spillovers and weak screening/treatment can turn animal-to-human threats into public health emergencies. Humanitarian Response Under Strain: UNICEF highlights how coordinated logistics and psychosocial support are helping children survive Ebola in Ituri, even as the wider response is stretched by insecurity and funding pressure. Climate & Clean Air: Kampala appears in global pollution rankings, with the city listed among the world’s most polluted—an urgent reminder that air quality is a health issue, not just an environmental one. Trees for Urban Climate Action: Green Daddy Foundation launches “Tree Plus” to get nursery and primary school children planting and caring for trees, linking early stewardship to cleaner Kampala. Biodiversity Conservation: Uganda continues wildlife protection efforts by relocating endangered Nubian giraffes to safer habitat to reduce threats like oil drilling. Energy Transition & Access: Absa Uganda backs Uganda’s push toward universal power access, pointing to bankable financing as key to turning energy targets into real infrastructure. Food Security Emergency: Uganda begins emergency food handouts in drought-hit Karamoja after hunger deaths, moving 9,400 tonnes of relief food to curb malnutrition. Civic Space & Governance: Uganda’s Protection of Sovereignty Act is condemned for tightening rules around foreign funding and civil society activity, raising concerns for rights and environmental advocacy groups.

Civic Space Under Pressure: Uganda’s Protection of Sovereignty Act, signed by President Museveni in May, is being slammed as a major threat to human rights defenders and civil society, with critics saying it creates broad criminal liability and surveillance around foreign-funded activities. Ebola Alarm for Uganda: WHO has declared the 2026 Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after cases crossed from DR Congo into Uganda, raising fears of zoonotic spillover and stressing the need for stronger local detection and response. Hunger Crisis in Karamoja: Uganda has started emergency food handouts after at least 19 people died from hunger amid drought-driven crop failure, with 9,400 tonnes of relief food planned over two months. Wildlife Conservation Move: Uganda’s wildlife authority has relocated 12 endangered Nubian giraffes to a safer home to reduce risks linked to oil drilling pressures. Invasive Species Warning: A new study flags popular live fence plants in East Africa as invasive, warning they can escape into farms and rangelands, squeezing biodiversity and productivity. Regional Energy Push: Tanzania unveiled plans for a cross-border natural gas pipeline to Uganda and Kenya, aiming to boost energy security and cleaner power access. Urban Clean-Up Drive: Uganda’s National Cleaning Day push continues to draw debate, with calls for enforceable follow-through to tackle sanitation and preventable disease.

Wildlife Under Pressure: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have started relocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, about 106 km away, to protect the species amid oil drilling, habitat pressure, climate change and other threats. Conservation Meets Oil Reality: The move comes as Uganda pushes for first oil in the Murchison Falls area, where TotalEnergies began drilling in the Tilenga project in 2023—raising fears for the park’s fragile ecosystem and biodiversity. Digital Crime Warning: Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs says international cyber-scam syndicates have shifted operations into Uganda, using fake job ads to lure victims into forced online fraud and trafficking-like conditions. Cleanliness Push: Uganda Baati helped launch National Cleaning Day for manufacturers and the public, urging shared responsibility for cleaner communities. EAC Monetary Union Update: EAC central bank governors say progress continues toward a single regional currency by 2031, despite convergence gaps.

Wildlife & Oil Risks: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have started relocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve to protect biodiversity as oil drilling and habitat pressure grow. Public Health & Environment: Uganda’s mandatory National Cleaning Days face legal and religious pushback after reports of heavy-handed enforcement during the first cleanup, raising questions about civic rights and sanitation. Cybercrime & Human Trafficking: Uganda’s Internal Affairs Ministry warns that foreign-linked cyber scam syndicates are setting up fraud centres in Uganda, recruiting victims via fake job ads and allegedly forcing them into online scamming. Air Pollution Watch: Kampala topped a global pollution list in one AQI update, while Dhaka ranked 16th, spotlighting health risks from dirty air across the region. Diplomacy & Climate/AI: Uganda nominated Olara Otunnu for UN Secretary-General, with his agenda stressing UN reform, conflict resolution, AI governance, and climate action that doesn’t derail development. Green Economy & Energy: Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor says financing is the biggest barrier to unlocking Africa’s energy potential, urging coordinated investment and regional power trade.

Wildlife Under Pressure: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have started relocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a “seed population” move as oil drilling, habitat pressure and climate change intensify around the park. Conservation Meets Community: The translocation is also framed as a way to protect biodiversity and keep tourism options alive while threats grow. Public Health Milestone: Uganda has discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient and begun a mandatory 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over, while DR Congo’s outbreak continues to surge past 1,000 deaths and an experimental Bundibugyo vaccine trial begins. Digital Push: Uganda’s AI adoption is accelerating—from farming and health tools to new skills targets—highlighting opportunities and the need for local capacity. Cleanliness Drive: Uganda’s National Cleaning Day is being promoted, with manufacturers urged to help keep communities cleaner and safer. Cybercrime Warning: Uganda’s Internal Affairs ministry says foreign-linked scam syndicates are moving operations into Uganda, using fake jobs to force victims into online fraud.

Wildlife Under Pressure: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have started relocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a 106km move meant to protect the species as oil drilling, habitat pressure, climate change and invasive species intensify around the park. Oil vs Conservation: Officials say the translocation is a “seed population” strategy—so if drilling or other shocks damage the current habitat, the giraffes have a safer breeding home. Digital Scams & Trafficking: Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs warns cyber scam syndicates have shifted operations into Uganda, using fake job ads to lure victims into forced online fraud and trafficking. Public Hygiene Clash: Uganda’s mandatory National Cleaning Day faces legal and religious pushback, with Seventh-day Adventists seeking Sabbath exemptions and critics arguing the policy may exceed executive authority. Ebola Countdown: Uganda discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient and has begun a 42-day countdown toward declaring the outbreak over.

Wildlife & Oil Impacts: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have begun translocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a move aimed at protecting the species’ population and biodiversity as oil drilling activity and heavy machinery increase pressure inside the park. Public Health & Environment: Uganda’s government has declared the last Saturday of every month a mandatory National Cleaning Day, with a 7:00am–10:00am community clean-up and movement restrictions; the Seventh-day Adventist Church and lawyer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija have raised constitutional concerns over compulsory participation and Sabbath conflicts. Ebola Update: Uganda discharged its last confirmed Ebola patient on July 16, starting a 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over, while Congo’s outbreak continues to surge past 1,000 deaths and a first Bundibugyo vaccine trial begins in Oxford. Education Safety: Equity Bank Uganda handed Busoga High School a 67-seater Isuzu school bus fitted with onboard cameras to improve learner safety amid ongoing scrutiny of school transport crashes. Agro-Climate Resilience (Regional): IFAD and Nigeria launched a climate-smart agribusiness project to strengthen climate-informed value chains for smallholders, women and youth.

Wildlife & Oil Pressure: Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have begun translocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, as oil drilling activity and heavy machinery movement continue inside the park. Public Health & Sanitation: Uganda has declared the last Saturday of every month a mandatory National Cleaning Day, with a three-hour community clean-up and restrictions on movement and vehicles, citing poor sanitation as a major driver of diseases. Air Quality Watch: Kampala is listed among the world’s most polluted cities in an air-quality report, while Dhaka records moderate conditions—both reminders that pollution remains a health risk across the region. Energy Infrastructure: UETCL and UEDCL inspected the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System upgrade, now at 90.57% completion, to improve reliability for the capital’s growing demand. Ebola Update (Regional): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 deaths, reaching the milestone at an unusually fast pace and raising concerns about response capacity and public trust. Fuel & Inflation: Uganda’s fuel-price swings are feeding into rising inflation, with fuel showing the fastest price increases into June.

Agro-Industrial Push: Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo toured the China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park in Luwero, praising agro-processing (pineapple canning, chili processing, poultry) as a route from subsistence to export-ready farming. Conservation Finance: A Uganda Radio Network feature argues that putting real economic value on forests, wetlands, lakes and wildlife can protect ecosystems while supporting growth—warning that short-term timber thinking can hollow out natural capital. Food Security Pressure: Farmers in Acholi were advised to delay second-season planting after a dry spell threatens another crop failure, as light, scattered rains won’t build enough soil moisture. Public Health Alarm: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 1,000 deaths, with rapid spread concentrated in Ituri and heavy impacts on health workers—raising urgency for safer access to clinics. Wildlife & Climate Signals: Ugandan photographer Peter Kuloba won Safal Eye In The Wild with “Disappearing Snowcaps of the Rwenzori Mountains,” spotlighting glacier loss and its conservation message. Road Safety & Environment: Equity Bank Uganda handed over a safety-equipped school bus with onboard surveillance cameras, aiming to reduce risks for learners commuting on busy roads. Digital Rights: A ProPublica-linked report warns Uganda faced a “digital colonialism” dilemma over health data access tied to major funding.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The fastest-ever Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed nearly 1,000 people, with cases rising sharply in weeks; Uganda has recorded two deaths as health workers are also hit. Climate & Farming Risk in Acholi: Farmers in Acholi are being advised to delay the second planting season after a dry spell threatens seed germination and another failed harvest. Nature Conservation Funding Pressure: In northern Uganda, TASLL and ECOTRUST report progress restoring forests and planting native trees, but warn that sudden donor funding gaps could disrupt long-term gains. Uganda’s Resource Value Debate: A new push argues Uganda should put real economic value on forests, wetlands, lakes and wildlife to protect biodiversity while supporting growth. Wildlife & Glaciers Storytelling: Ugandan photographer Peter Kuloba wins Safal Eye In The Wild for “Disappearing Snowcaps of the Rwenzori Mountains,” spotlighting melting glaciers and conservation education. Child Road Safety: UNICEF urges stronger measures after a Kapchorwa school bus crash killed about 26 pupils and staff, calling the deaths preventable. Air Pollution Watch: Kampala is listed among the world’s more polluted cities in a daily air quality ranking, raising health concerns for sensitive groups.

Biodiversity & Wildlife Leadership: Uganda Wildlife Authority veteran Robert Aruho has been appointed Chair of IUCN’s Antelope Specialist Group (2026–2030), tasked with guiding antelope protection and recovery across Africa and beyond. Health Security & Outbreaks: WHO says Africa’s Ebola crisis is worsening, with DRC recording 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 deaths, while Uganda reports 20 confirmed cases and two deaths—amid fears that misinformation and attacks on health workers are driving spread. Digital Rights & Refugees: York University received a $2.5m grant to study how AI and digital border-control tools can violate refugees’ rights, and to propose transparent alternatives. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Uganda’s irrigation push is under scrutiny as yields fall with changing rains; the government’s micro-scale solar irrigation programme is meant to protect smallholders from climate variability, but concerns remain about beneficiary targeting. Conservation & Tourism: Acacia Africa released its first Accommodation Impact Report, showing strong links between stays and community engagement, conservation experiences, and cultural immersion across properties including Uganda. Education for Sustainability: Mastercard Foundation launched the AHEFT Prize, with Uganda’s Muni University among inaugural winners receiving $3m to scale research and innovation that can translate into public impact.

AI Readiness in Sub-Saharan Africa: The IMF warns the region could miss out on AI gains unless governments urgently fix unreliable power, expand internet access, and build digital skills. Ebola Misinformation and Attacks: In DR Congo, Ebola deaths have surged past 1,000 as false claims keep people away from clinics and mobs attack health workers and facilities. Cancer Care in Uganda and Tanzania: East African researchers report a faster, accurate liquid biopsy blood test for Burkitt lymphoma, aiming to speed diagnosis where pathology services are limited. Uganda Courts Under Strain: Court cases highlight due-process concerns, including a missing opposition figure and defendants refusing state-assigned lawyers or seeking medical treatment. Uganda Shilling Strengthens: Uganda’s shilling is the only EAC currency to gain against the US dollar in June, up 1.4%, while peers lag. Women’s Football Boost: CAF raises WAFCON prize money, with winners set to receive $2 million ahead of the Morocco tournament. Digital Number Plates: ITMS clears a backlog of 6,000 digital vehicle plates after delays tied to funding for the Express Penalty System. Health Security Index: A new Africa Health Security index shows progress in outbreak detection, but big gaps remain that could turn crises into catastrophes.

Ebola & Health Security: A new Africa Health Security (AHS) Index says countries are nearly 30% more prepared than five years ago, but the average score is still just 41.5/100, with biosecurity and biosafety flagged as critically low as the DRC outbreak worsens. Ebola in the region: The DRC’s Ebola death toll has reached 930, with WHO warning the outbreak is spreading faster than any previous one on record, amid conflict-hit health systems. Uganda’s virology boost: The East African Community is set to launch Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology in Entebbe, aiming to strengthen surveillance and diagnostics across partner states. Tourism safety: The African Travel Commission urged stricter safety for school excursions after a crash killed students and staff during a trip to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa. Climate & water stress: Karamoja and Turkana pastoralists are facing a water crisis as Kobebe dam runs dry, blamed on both drought and poor maintenance. Greener schools: ICEA LION and KCB Bank Uganda planted 1,500 trees at two schools in Kampala to push youth-led environmental stewardship.

Ebola Update: DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola death toll hit 930 as WHO warns the outbreak is spreading faster than any previous one, with 2,344 lab-confirmed cases and major surveillance gaps. Regional Health Capacity: The East African Community will launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology on July 22, aiming to boost diagnostics, training and outbreak surveillance across partner states. Water & Climate Stress: Karamoja and Turkana pastoralists face a worsening water crisis as Kobebe Dam runs dry, with herders blaming not just drought but poor maintenance and vandalism. Conservation & Tourism: Uganda announced free national park entry for three days in September (25–27), open to both Ugandans and foreign visitors, as the country continues recovery from its recent Ebola scare. Agri-innovation Push: Uganda marks AGRA’s 20th anniversary in Kampala, focusing on how to turn agricultural research and innovation into lasting prosperity for farmers. Governance & Environment: Kampala targets 50% pollution reduction by 2030, as air-quality reporting highlights how harmful pollution can be.