AGP Executive Report

Uganda–Germany Tourism & Culture: Uganda opened a three-day cultural and tourism festival in Munich, with drumming, dance, food and fashion, plus a business forum for diaspora entrepreneurs and German investors—part of a push to deepen ties beyond development cooperation. Ebola Response Escalates: The DRC’s fast-growing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has crossed into Uganda, prompting higher-level CDC activation and renewed focus on early detection, lab support, safe care, and community trust to slow spread. Energy Access Alarm: A new global energy report warns 655 million people still lack electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa worst hit; Uganda is urged to make power affordable and scale rural electrification and clean cooking. Clean Cooking Cost Cuts: Polland Food Centre says switching to eco-stoves using honeycomb briquettes cut daily charcoal spending and improved kitchen safety and comfort. AI for Workforces: Radiant diGiLog launched an AI workforce productivity platform across markets including Uganda, aiming to replace paper and WhatsApp tracking with attendance, task execution and reporting in one system. STEM Youth Win: Uganda won Gold at the 2026 International Greenwich Olympiad in London for a fruit-picking robot project, with two more Ugandan teams earning honours. Infrastructure & Costs: Uganda’s budget adds a levy on cement, raising construction costs, while engineers warn higher building costs could affect delivery.

Energy Access Crisis: A new global Tracking SDG 7 report says 655 million people worldwide still lack electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa worst hit; Uganda is urged to expand rural electrification, cut costs, and scale renewables and clean cooking to reach universal access by 2030. Ebola Alert for East Africa: WHO and partners report Ebola in Uganda linked to the DRC Bundibugyo strain, with experts warning South Sudan faces the highest risk; the focus is faster detection, contact tracing, safe care and dignified burials. STEM in the Spotlight: Uganda’s Young Engineers Uganda team won Gold at the 2026 International Greenwich Olympiad in London, including a fruit-picking robot project using Newton’s laws, plus other Ugandan honours for low-cost sustainable farming design. Construction Costs Pressure: Uganda’s 2026/27 budget introduces a cement levy that could raise building costs, adding to concerns from engineers about higher construction expenses. Digital Finance Moves: Equity Bank rolls out financing options for schools to manage fee delays and operating costs, while Centenary Bank pushes cashless payments with Gonza Pay. Wildlife Tech for Conservation: Rwanda’s conservation teams use environmental DNA to detect endangered species with less disturbance, supporting better biodiversity monitoring across the Virunga region.

Ebola Response: CDC has activated its highest-level emergency response to the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain in DR Congo, with Level 1 activation as cases and deaths rise; Uganda is also reporting infections, and experts stress lab capacity, contact tracing, safe care and community trust to slow spread. Regional Preparedness: Africa CDC is convening a three-day meeting with DR Congo, Uganda and other high-risk AU states to move from plans to border, community and health-facility readiness, warning the outbreak could become the largest ever if tracing lags. Infrastructure Costs: Uganda’s 2026/27 budget introduces a new levy on cement, adding about 250 shillings per 50kg bag, while engineers warn construction costs may climb further. Engineering & Public Dialogue: The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers launched “The UIPE Voice,” a monthly TV platform to bring engineering, infrastructure and innovation issues closer to the public. Clean Cooking Crisis: A new IEA report says nearly 970 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack clean cooking fuels, with the gap set to worsen to over 1 billion by 2027. Agriculture & Value Addition: Speaker Oboth urged Bukedi communities to embrace coffee and cocoa with better farming practices and organised cooperatives to fight household poverty.

Clean Cooking Crisis: A new IEA report warns Sub-Saharan Africa still has about 970 million people without clean cooking access in 2024, with the gap set to exceed 1 billion by 2027 as population growth outpaces progress. Climate & Health in West Nile: A commentary flags unregulated waste management in West Nile—open dumps, burning garbage, and polluted streams—as a growing climate injustice that also worsens public health. Ebola Preparedness for Uganda: WHO and Lancet-linked modelling say a rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain may have been spreading undetected for weeks, with a 70% chance of reaching South Sudan; Uganda is urged to strengthen border surveillance, tracing, and safe burial. Ebola Response Support: The US plans to ship experimental Bundibugyo countermeasures to DRC and Uganda and pre-position rapid diagnostic tests to speed detection. Engineering for Public Understanding: UIPE launched “The UIPE Voice” to bring engineering and infrastructure discussions closer to the public, using plain language and monthly TV engagement. Digital & Finance: Wave deepened digital finance talks in Cameroon with regulators and tax authorities, pushing safer, more inclusive payments. Uganda Agriculture Science: Uganda set a vanilla harvest window (June 29–Sept 29) and warns against premature picking to protect quality and export competitiveness. Tech Talent: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa opened applications for a 2026 internship for diploma and degree students.

Ebola Response in Focus: Africa CDC is convening a three-day meeting with DRC, Uganda and other high-risk AU states to move from plans to real border, community and health-facility readiness as the Bundibugyo outbreak tops 1,000 cases and keeps rising. Uganda Public Health Advisory: Uganda’s Ministry of Health warns male Ebola survivors that the virus can persist in semen for at least six months, urging strict condom use to prevent sexual transmission. New Countermeasures: The US is sending experimental Ebola therapy doses to DRC and Uganda and preparing rapid diagnostic tests, while vaccine work targets the Bundibugyo strain. Engineering for Public Understanding: Uganda’s engineers launched “The UIPE Voice,” a monthly TV platform to explain infrastructure and innovation in plain language. Digital Finance Push: Centenary Bank launched GonzaPay, a bank-backed digital wallet aimed at expanding access beyond cash-heavy payments. Energy for Schools: Stanbic urged schools to adopt renewable energy to cut operational costs and improve learning conditions. Agriculture Quality Control: Uganda set the vanilla harvest window (June 29–Sept 29) and warns against premature picking to protect vanillin quality and export trust.

Ebola Watch: WHO modelling says the fast-growing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has a nearly 70% chance of reaching South Sudan, with Uganda already reporting 20 confirmed cases and deaths—while experts warn of weak border surveillance, contact tracing, and safe burial gaps. Health Systems & Research: Response is being slowed by diagnostic blind spots (GeneXpert built for another strain) and by missing virus samples for vaccine and treatment work, as Africa CDC calls for far more funding to contain the outbreak. SME & Finance: Equity Bank, KPMG and Nation Media Group launched the 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey to help SMEs “monetize” growth through innovation, value addition and market expansion. Digital & AI in Daily Life: TECNO expanded its AI assistant EllaClaw to manage device performance and automate routine tasks across apps. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Kitgum farmers report heavy losses from an invasive pawpaw mealybug, with research estimating major yield drops per acre. Education Access: In Kyegegwa, long distances to secondary schools are linked to dropout and poor attendance. Energy & Policy: Power Africa Today at African Energy Week 2026 will push multi-resource electrification plans to tackle energy poverty. Higher Education Leadership: AAUA appoints a new vice-chancellor, signalling continued focus on university governance.

Ebola Watch: Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with new modelling giving it a 70% chance of reaching South Sudan and WHO warning response is being outpaced; the crisis is also hitting diagnostics, as GeneXpert testing was set up for the Zaire strain, leaving Bundibugyo cases undetected for weeks. Research Access: Scientists say they still lack viable virus samples from the current outbreak, slowing vaccine and treatment work amid disputes over sharing pathogens across borders. Funding Pressure: Africa CDC says it now needs $1.4bn to contain Ebola, while only a small share of pledges has been released, and the US has asked Congress for major supplemental Ebola funding. Uganda Tech & Climate: TECNO expanded its AI assistant (EllaClaw) to manage tasks across apps, and Uganda’s agri-tech founder Shifra Ainomugisha won Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for solar-powered cold storage and AI-driven farming support. Health Innovation: A neonatal sepsis trial (NeoSep1) is expanding to India and more African hospitals to test safer antibiotic regimens as drug resistance rises. Environment & Conservation: Lake Victoria gets a pledge to remove 100,000 litres of plastic waste, while Uganda reports steady giraffe population growth under its conservation plan.

Ebola Response in Focus: WHO reports the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached 1,094 cases and 277 deaths, with spread into Uganda; next week the DRC will start trials of two treatments (MBP134 and remdesivir) to cut mortality, while UNICEF and Gavi push faster vaccine development for Bundibugyo. Cross-Border Health Risk: France confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the DRC outbreak, isolating a returning doctor and tracing contacts, with officials saying Europe’s risk of wider spread is low. Public Trust & Preparedness: Experts warn misinformation and distrust are slowing Ebola relief, and Nigeria’s preparedness shows progress in labs and sequencing but still faces gaps in infection control and protection. Uganda STEM & Industry: PM Nabbanja orders fast-tracking of the Moroto clinker factory to reduce costly cement imports, and Uganda’s oil block surrenders raise questions about frontier exploration challenges. Energy, Climate & Water: A study finds fossil fuels still dominate Africa’s electricity future, while Lake Victoria gets a global 100,000-litre plastic cleanup pledge to protect livelihoods for 40+ million people. Clean Cooking Tech: Polland Food Centre cut charcoal fuel costs by 60% after switching to commercial Ecostoves, showing practical energy-efficiency gains. Digital & Research Infrastructure: Ethiopia launches a continental biotech regulation database to improve biosafety and cross-border biotech decisions.

Ebola Response in Focus: WHO says trials for two Bundibugyo Ebola treatments—MappBio’s MBP134 antibody and Gilead’s remdesivir—are set to start next week in DR Congo, as confirmed cases cross 1,000 and Uganda reports additional cases; Public Health Trust: experts warn misinformation and distrust are slowing containment, echoing calls for stronger community engagement and faster reporting; Transparent Access Plans: an independent panel urges WHO and Africa CDC to publish a single end-to-end roadmap for diagnostics, vaccines and treatments financing and delivery; Newborn Screening Push: WHO calls on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects to prevent disability and save lives; Digital Health in the Region: MTN Uganda rolls out cashless smart wristbands for student transport, while Uganda also sees renewed momentum for digital health transformation; Biotech Information for Regulators: Ethiopia is set to benefit from a new Africa-wide biotech database that consolidates biosafety and biotech product movement rules; Energy & Transport Tech: Uganda’s truck efficiency upgrades point toward a future where freight tech—and possibly electric charging—matters as fuel prices bite.

Ebola Response: The US will supply doses of experimental antibody MBP134 for compassionate use in DR Congo and to support clinical trials, as WHO warns the Bundibugyo outbreak could worsen without faster, coordinated action. Public Health Systems: WHO urges countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, saying early detection and treatment can prevent disability and save lives. Ebola on the Ground: A report highlights how trust breakdowns, conflict, and weak institutions are fueling Congo’s Ebola spread—turning the outbreak into a crisis of confidence as well as health. Uganda Oil Local Content: Uganda’s local oil dream faces a $9.7m unpaid-claims threat to over 60 subcontractors tied to Tilenga works, raising fears of stalled local participation. Digital Finance: Centenary Bank launches GonzaPay, a bank-backed digital wallet aimed at cash-heavy users and financial inclusion. Clean Energy for Schools: Stanbic urges schools to go solar to cut rising electricity and generator costs. Water Infrastructure: Government unveils Shs14.2bn Hoima water project to boost supply ahead of AFCON 2027. Cholera Update: Makerere researchers report Uganda has eliminated endogenous cholera transmission, though cross-border outbreaks remain a risk.

Ebola Response in Focus: DRC and Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with reports of 1,000+ confirmed cases and rising deaths, while experts warn that weak contact tracing, limited lab capacity, and slow confirmation are holding back containment. Digital Health Leadership: PATH outlines a next chapter in digital health innovation, with new regional leadership roles aimed at strengthening health data systems and government-to-government tech transfer. Uganda Payments Push: Centenary Bank launches GonzaPay, a digital wallet for sending money and accessing services without necessarily holding a bank account, as electronic transactions keep growing. UCC Funding Boost: MTN Uganda injects UGX 54.27bn into UCC’s Universal Service and Access Fund to expand connectivity for rural and underserved communities. Maternal Care on Lake Victoria: Uganda’s boat ambulances are helping island communities reach urgent care faster, improving outcomes for pregnant women and other emergencies. Clean Energy for Rural Homes: In Kapchorwa, biogas biodigesters are turning cow dung into smoke-free cooking fuel, cutting time and firewood pressure. Health Policy: WHO calls for expanded newborn screening to catch birth defects early and reduce lifelong disability. Climate Risk: New research finds heat stress is lasting longer and spreading into new regions, raising health risks across parts of Africa and beyond.

Ebola Watch (DRC–Uganda): Eastern DRC’s conflict-hit response is struggling with delayed detection and limited water and sanitation as confirmed Bundibugyo cases in the region pass 1,000 and Uganda records 19 cases; experts stress strong contact tracing, testing, and isolation, while WHO notes India faces no immediate threat. Local Health Systems: Uganda is also pushing vaccine research and manufacturing capacity through the CONNECT-VAS initiative, aiming to reduce reliance on imports during outbreaks. Clean Energy for Households (Kapchorwa): A growing biogas push in Kapchorwa is turning cow dung into smoke-free cooking fuel, cutting time spent collecting firewood and easing rural energy costs. Clean Cooking in Rural Uganda: Eco-stoves are gaining traction as women report major reductions in smoke and fuel expenses, with campaigns highlighting safer, more efficient cooking. Climate & Heat Stress: New research links global warming to longer, hotter heat stress—adding up to two more months of risk in places like Mexico, Kenya, and Italy—raising urgency for heat-health planning. STEM & Innovation Funding (Uganda): Uganda Development Bank reopens prequalification for UGX 150bn local contractor financing to boost local capacity for infrastructure delivery. E-Mobility Investment (East Africa): Kenya-based Spiro raises an extra US$55m to expand battery-swapping networks, including Uganda operations. Education & Research Capacity: Makerere University drops in Africa rankings, while Uganda’s e-government strategy targets higher digital uptake.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): Confirmed Ebola cases in eastern DR Congo jumped to 1,003 with 254 deaths, as officials warn the real outbreak may be larger and contact follow-up is slipping amid conflict and weak health systems. HIV Prevention Research (Uganda): Pace University researchers spotlight how health workers’ attitudes and practical barriers shape uptake of the dapivirine vaginal ring for young women in rural Uganda. Digital Government (Uganda): NITA-U launched a five-year plan to push e-government use from 9.2% to 40% by FY 2029/30, with focus on ICT access and cybersecurity. EV Infrastructure (Africa, incl. Uganda): Spiro secured an extra $55M from NewTrails Capital to expand battery-swapping networks across markets including Uganda. Climate & Water (Africa): Scientists are mapping underground water supplies to manage aquifers for a hotter future, while new research shows heat stress is lasting longer across regions. STEM Education (Uganda): Makerere University fell to 23rd in Africa in U.S. News global rankings, while KIU targets Africa’s top 10 and reports strong STEM graduate shares. Agritech & Markets (Uganda/Region): Uganda’s cocoa push in Lira highlights irrigation and shade-driven expansion, alongside regional agricultural exchange efforts.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 1,003 confirmed Ebola cases and 254 deaths, with health teams continuing surveillance and prevention across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu as contact follow-up rates fall—raising fears the outbreak could be larger than recorded. Malaria Science Spotlight: Uganda’s UVRI researchers are using Insect Week (June 22–28) to explain why mosquitoes—especially the Anopheles gambiae complex—remain central to malaria control, highlighting how these insects adapt and thrive near people. Digital Rights vs Health Aid: A new report warns Uganda faces “digital colonialism” as U.S.-linked health agreements reportedly require access to citizens’ data, sparking privacy and sovereignty concerns even as funding supports HIV, malaria and TB efforts. Electric Mobility Investment: Spiro, running motorcycle battery-swapping across Uganda and other African markets, secured an extra $55m from China’s NewTrails to expand its swap network and infrastructure. Energy & Minerals Policy: Uganda’s FY 2026/27 tax amendments are set to take effect from 1 July, with provisions that could reshape costs and incentives for the energy, oil and minerals sectors. Urban Green Rules: KCCA says developers who fail to plant trees on their properties may be denied occupancy permits under new Building Control Act 2026 enforcement. Agriculture Innovation Exchange: Zimbabwe and Uganda deepened agricultural cooperation through a regional farmers awards and exchange programme focused on youth, value addition and climate-smart farming. Solar for Schools: A Ugandan school initiative is cutting fuel costs using solar-assisted smart kitchens and efficient cookstoves, easing pressure on forests while improving learning conditions.

Clean Cooking & Forests: A Kasese school is cutting millions in fuel costs by using a solar-assisted smart kitchen with efficient cookstoves, easing pressure on Uganda’s forests and freeing savings for school upgrades. HIV Prevention Breakthrough: The U.S. Embassy says Uganda will receive lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention drug, via PEPFAR in 2026 for high-burden communities. Ebola Response Pressure: Reports highlight the Bundibugyo Ebola crisis in DRC and Uganda, with WHO and Africa CDC warning that tracking new cases is failing due to gaps in surveillance, contact tracing, and lab supplies. Menstrual Health Access: Uganda’s transport “Union” launched “Kili Clear” sanitary pads to improve affordability and reduce school and work disruptions for girls and women. Education Fees Reform Debate: Stakeholders are pushing UNEB to allow direct exam fee payments to reduce fake papers and registration abuses linked to school collection. Police Infrastructure: Uganda Police is building 200 sub-county model stations nationwide, with 70 already ready for occupancy. Used Textiles Policy Talks: SMART will join Basel Convention discussions on regulating used textiles and circular economy rules. Digital Privacy: ProPublica reports U.S. demands for access to Africans’ health data as a condition for aid, raising privacy and sovereignty concerns.

Ebola Watch: WHO and Africa CDC warn the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda is surging fast, with gaps in surveillance, contact tracing and even lab testing kits as conflict and misinformation complicate response. Airport Upgrade: The AfDB approved about Shs650bn (€155.99m) to upgrade Arua Airport into an international-standard hub, including a 3.5km runway, terminals and safety systems to boost West Nile trade and connectivity. Police & Tech on the Ground: Uganda Police is building 200 sub-county model stations to strengthen grassroots security, with dozens already ready for occupancy. Health & Daily Life: Union launched “Kili Clear” sanitary pads to improve access to affordable menstrual hygiene for women and girls, targeting informal transport communities. Education Integrity: UNEB fee-collection concerns are growing, with calls for direct exam fee payments to reduce school-level abuse and registration fraud. Circular Economy Policy: SMART will join global talks on regulating used textiles and textile waste at Basel Convention OEWG-15, warning new rules could disrupt reuse markets.