AGP Executive Report

East African Oil Pipeline: Uganda’s long-awaited East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion, at about 80–84% overall by mid-2026, with commissioning targeted for July 2026 and first exports in October—an 1,443km, electrically heated line expected to move up to 246,000 barrels per day from Lake Albert to Tanzania’s Tanga port. Climate & Food Security: Uganda has allocated Shs50bn (about US$13.5m) from its contingency fund to cushion households and livelihoods against El Niño-linked dry spells, with food relief prioritised for Karamoja and warnings that heat could hit agriculture, water, incomes and prices. Insurance & Risk: The Finance ministry urged Uganda’s insurance sector to help de-risk government investments and mobilise long-term capital, citing growth in premiums to over Shs2tn in 2025. Banking Leadership: Centenary Bank has appointed Godfrey Byekwaso as managing director effective July 1, signalling continuity after Kasi’s 16-year turnaround. Media Business Uncertainty: Uganda’s Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda may stay off air longer as Nation Media Group’s ownership change awaits regulatory approvals. Cyber & Consumer Trust: A major cyber breach at Tata Group’s technology arm has raised fears for data and business partners, while Uganda’s UCC is also cracking down on unlicensed public Wi‑Fi providers. Ebola Vaccine Trials: Oxford and Serum Institute of India have started early human trials for Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines, as the outbreak continues to spread in the region. Agribusiness Support: Government injected over Shs304m into climate-smart fish farming in Kiryandongo under UCSATP, backing organised farmer groups with ponds, fingerlings and feeds.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84%, targeting commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, with TotalEnergies as majority stakeholder and electrical heating to keep crude flowing. Business Regulation: UCC has started enforcing licences against small operators running public Wi‑Fi hotspots, warning that serving the public without a telecoms licence is illegal—raising fears of higher costs for micro-entrepreneurs. Trade & Agriculture: Uganda’s coffee exports hit a record US$2.3bn over the year to May 2026, though May shipments dipped as prices eased. Education Funding: SESEMAT science and maths support is under strain as some secondary schools collect parent contributions but fail to remit funds, disrupting teacher training and learner support. Health & Research: Oxford University’s ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine has entered Phase I testing for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, with recruitment underway and doses stockpiled for rapid rollout. Migration & Returns: Uganda says 1,030 repatriated Ugandans from South Africa are undergoing rehabilitation at NALI Kyankwanzi, while South Africa reports processing over 53,000 deportations/repatriations amid xenophobic tensions. Security: Police in Lira arrested four suspects over alleged counterfeit currency production, seizing chemicals and suspected fake Shs50,000 notes.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84%, targeting commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, with TotalEnergies leading and a planned 246,000 barrels per day capacity. Public Finance & Accountability: Auditor General reports have flagged serious cash and procurement mismanagement at Makerere-led projects, including the CASH-IN cash transfer research and the H3Africa biorepository, while the Makerere Lung Institute also faces procurement and budgeting breaches. Health & Vaccines: Oxford University begins human trials of a new Ebola vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, with Uganda’s UVRI set to support the next steps as Congo’s outbreak keeps accelerating. Trade & Agriculture: Uganda has started exporting chili peppers to China after FAO-China-Uganda support helped farmers scale production, while Uganda Coffee’s export earnings hit a historic US$2.2bn. Banking & Insurance: Equity Bank’s bancassurance push is driving insurance inclusion, with Uganda’s banks generating over UGX 80.8bn in premiums in Q1 2026. Roads & Border Costs: South Sudan’s revenue authority urges urgent repair of the Juba–Nimule highway to speed truck movement and boost collections, and Kenya-Uganda trade is disrupted by URA plate seal delays. Security & Governance: Uganda’s court clears the way for Besigye’s treason trial to proceed on July 13. City Services: KCCA allocates Shs50m to fight bedbugs in Kampala.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84%, with line pipes delivered and marine works over 88%—targeted for commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, moving Albertine Graben crude to Tanzania’s Tanga port. Trade & Investment: Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry wrapped up a mission to Kenya and Uganda, pushing stronger business ties and investment partnerships, while also concluding a separate push to deepen Sharjah-Uganda cooperation through meetings with Uganda’s ambassador in the UAE. Regional Energy: Kenya Power signed a renewed electricity supply deal with Ethiopia’s utility, securing power at about KSh 20 per kWh plus a monthly demand charge, aimed at boosting cross-border supply reliability. Public Health & Local Innovation: Uganda researchers say locally processed catnip lotion can match DEET-level mosquito repellent performance in trials, offering a cheaper, locally produced option. Governance & Institutions: Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson Mariam Wangadya resigned, ending a tense period marked by public disputes over appointments and leadership. Security & Economy: Uganda-linked stories in the week’s wider region coverage included major drug interdictions by Nigeria’s NDLEA, underscoring ongoing cross-border trafficking risks.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84%, with line pipes delivered and key works advancing; officials target commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, with TotalEnergies as majority stakeholder and Uganda National Oil Company among partners. Public Finance & Governance: Busitema University’s 4MW solar plant is at the centre of an accountability row after the Auditor General said the university earned zero shillings from electricity sales due to missing revenue-sharing and operational arrangements with the Ministry of Energy. Regional Trade & Integration: The EAC endorsed measures to speed up integrated infrastructure, including transport and digital connectivity, to reduce cross-border bottlenecks and boost movement of goods and services. Migration & Jobs: South Africa’s anti-illegal migration drive has processed over 53,000 foreign nationals for deportation and repatriation, while Uganda urges returnees to start small-scale value addition businesses. Health & Economic Risk: Ebola in DR Congo has surpassed 1,800 cases as the outbreak spreads to a fourth province, raising fears of costly delays and knock-on effects for Uganda and regional trade. Tax & Education Costs: Private school owners in Greater Masaka say Uganda’s PAYE policy on secondary income (40%) is pushing away experienced teachers. Security & Crime: NDLEA reports major drug interceptions linked to Uganda’s region, including heroin smuggling attempts and methamphetamine concealment cases.

Ebola Surge in Congo: DR Congo’s Ebola tally has jumped to 1,830 confirmed cases with 648 deaths after the virus spread to a fourth province, Haut-Uele, as response teams scale up and donors pledge $910m for Congo and neighbouring Uganda. Uganda’s Health Systems Under Scrutiny: Auditor General reports flag failures at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, including not using the e-Afya system for vaccine and medicine inventory management amid staff complaints of a “faulty” platform. Energy Accountability: Busitema University’s 4MW solar plant is feeding the grid, but the Auditor General says the university earned zero from electricity sales due to missing revenue-sharing and operational agreements with the Ministry of Energy. Public Finance & Asset Mismanagement: Bukalasa Agricultural College faces audit findings including idle equipment, weak controls and receivables rising to UGX244.51m. Trade & Export Push: Uganda’s Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna meets India’s High Commissioner to tackle the trade deficit, while Hortifresh Association Uganda seeks a partnership to cut post-harvest losses and improve horticulture export competitiveness. Diaspora Business Support Questioned: Uganda’s UAE embassy is under audit scrutiny over management of the Presidential Fund for Ugandan SMEs in Dubai, raising accountability concerns. Regional Business & Finance: Pearl Bank and Ronalds in Africa run a 3-day bootcamp to help agri-SMEs access funding and scale value chains. Oil Pipeline Progress: The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion (about 80–84%), targeting commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October.

EAC Oil Pipeline Watch: The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84% by mid-2026, with line pipes delivered and marine works over 88%—Uganda targets commissioning in July 2026 and first oil exports by October, with TotalEnergies as majority stakeholder. Ebola Cross-Border Update: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has crossed 1,800 confirmed cases (1,830) after spreading to a fourth province, Haut-Uele, raising pressure on Uganda too as donors pledge $910m for response in both countries. Public Finance & Service Delivery Scrutiny: Auditor General reports flag major governance and inventory failures at Bukalasa Agricultural College (idle equipment, weak controls, receivables rising to UGX244.5m) and at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, where staff reportedly say the e-Afya system is “faulty” while vaccine and medicine management records remain weak. Trade & Exports Push: Uganda and India are discussing ways to cut Uganda’s trade deficit, while Hortifresh Association Uganda seeks a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Trade to boost horticulture exports and cold-chain efficiency. SME Scaling: Pearl Bank and Ronalds in Africa trained over 30 agri-SMEs on accessing funding to scale production. Digital Education Access: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools to free internet by 2027 under a UNICEF partnership, aiming to narrow Uganda and wider region’s learning connectivity gap.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is nearing completion at about 80–84% with line pipes delivered and marine works over 88%, targeting commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October—an 1,443km electrically heated route from Lake Albert to Tanzania’s Tanga port. Digital Education: Airtel Africa says it will connect 5,000 schools across its footprint to free internet by 2027 with UNICEF, building on 3,296 schools already connected and millions of learners reached. Public Finance & FX: Uganda’s foreign exchange reserves rose about 68% in the 12 months to end-March, driven by remittances and exports like gold, cocoa and coffee. Business & Banking: NCBA Bank Uganda launches a new Business Banking proposition for SMEs with faster access to finance and unsecured lending options. E-commerce: Jumia Uganda highlights logistics expansion to reach customers in underserved districts beyond Kampala. Transport Safety: A school bus collided with a train in Mukono, killing a student (and earlier reports also cited the head teacher’s wife) and injuring several learners. Ebola & Economy: Analysts warn delayed containment of the DRC and Uganda Ebola outbreak could cost billions, with calls for more funding and faster diagnostics. Trade & Food Safety: Ethiopia denies issuing permits for Ugandan meat imports and says it is investigating how shipments entered the market. Media & Governance: Uganda’s Nation Media Group-Uganda faces a shutdown and shift to digital as ownership changes, raising concerns for press freedom.

EACOP Legal Push: Four Ugandan farmers have filed a UK High Court suit to stop the East African Crude Oil Pipeline before it goes online in October, arguing the project threatens freshwater, wildlife and their livelihoods, with claims also tied to alleged under-compensation. Pipeline Progress: EACOP is now about 80–84% complete, with officials targeting commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, after years of delays. Banking for SMEs: NCBA Bank Uganda launched a new Business Banking offering with unsecured lending options and business training, aiming to tackle cash-flow and access-to-finance gaps for SMEs. Cybercrime Crackdown: Uganda detained over 1,000 foreign nationals in Kampala and Wakiso in raids targeting a transnational cybercrime syndicate linked to online fraud and illegal call-centres. Ebola Watch: Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is the fastest-growing on record, urging donors to surge resources as deaths pass 600 and Uganda prepares for possible cases. Education & Innovation: Stanbic’s National Schools Championship enters appraisal visits for regional finalists, assessing school projects ahead of the August finale. Transport Safety: A train collision with a bus carrying students in Mukono left one teacher dead and several students injured. Regional Trade: The EAC urged removal of border bottlenecks after assessing One Stop Border Posts on the Kenya–Uganda and Tanzania–Kenya corridors to boost intra-EAC trade. Agribusiness Tech: Kenya rolled out a digital animal identification and traceability system to meet export standards and unlock premium livestock markets.

Oil & Infrastructure: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline is nearing completion at about 80–84%, with line pipes delivered and pump stations progressing; officials target commissioning in July 2026 and first exports by October, with TotalEnergies leading alongside UNOC, Tanzania’s TPDC and CNOOC. Regional Trade: The EAC is pushing removal of domestic administrative bottlenecks to speed up cross-border business, urging better performance at One Stop Border Posts to hit the bloc’s goal of 50% intra-EAC trade by 2030. Public Health & Business Risk: Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surpassed 600 deaths in DRC and Uganda, warning the virus is still ahead of response and citing financing gaps and unsafe burial capacity—an operational risk for healthcare, logistics and travel. Agribusiness & Skills: Uganda’s education ministry is moving to make agriculture compulsory in secondary schools to build practical skills for a sector that employs most people and drives exports. Digital & Plant Health: FAO and partners expand a phytosanitary digital surveillance push to 38 countries, including Uganda, to curb crop pests and protect trade. Justice & Security: Former Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi and co-accused get bail after months on remand over terrorism charges.

Ebola Response Funding: The US will give Kenya Sh1.9bn to boost Ebola readiness across 22 high-risk counties, including new labs, trained staff and faster mobile testing. Public Health Pressure: In eastern DRC, Ebola deaths have climbed to 600 with treatment centres near saturation, while contact tracing and supplies remain strained. Uganda Policy & Skills: Education officials say agriculture should become compulsory in secondary schools to build practical skills for Uganda’s biggest employer and export sector. Refugee Welfare: Aid cuts are hitting Uganda’s 2m refugees hard, with UNHCR funding at 12% of needs and food rations sharply reduced in settlements like Kiryandongo. Parliament & Governance: Parliament granted Buyaga West MP Dennis Namara leave to introduce amendments on how the Leader of the Opposition is elected and held accountable. Business & Finance: Housing Finance Bank kicks off its 5th annual blood drive tomorrow, while MTN Uganda says last Sunday’s outage was caused by power disruption at a data centre. Digital Transformation: Noteya and Sakamoja sign a cooperation deal to deliver AI-driven infrastructure modernization across East Africa, starting with Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Telecom Finance: Airtel Africa secured a $150m loan from the IFC to expand and modernize mobile networks across several African markets, aiming to boost digital inclusion and jobs. Network Reliability: MTN Uganda apologized for a major outage after a power disruption hit one of its data centres; the firm says customer data and Mobile Money balances stayed safe and compensation is planned. Energy & Courts: Ugandan farmers have filed a UK High Court challenge to stop EACOP, arguing the pipeline breaches Uganda’s constitutional, environmental and climate protections; the case is framed as foreign-backed litigation over a project due to start transporting crude soon. Tourism & Conservation: Uganda Wildlife Authority renewed Marasa Africa concessions for Paraa, Chobe and Mweya safari lodges for another 30 years, backing long-term tourism investment inside protected areas. Ebola Treatment Access: Island Pharmaceuticals received approvals to use Galidesivir under WHO’s MEURI framework for compassionate use in Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. Agriculture Skills Push: Uganda’s education minister called for making agriculture compulsory in secondary schools to build practical skills for the sector. Transport Safety: Deadly long-distance bus crashes in Uganda and South Africa renewed calls for stronger road safety as investigations continue.

UCC Crackdown: Uganda Communications Commission has launched a nationwide enforcement drive against unlicensed public Wi‑Fi hotspot operators, warning that some “neighbourhood” providers charge as little as Shs1,000 for 24 hours and may be exposing users to unregulated services. Ebola Response & Diagnostics: York-based Aptamer Group says it has started developing a rapid test for the highly-infectious Bundibugyo Ebola strain, where existing diagnostics struggle; meanwhile, DRC clinical trials for Bundibugyo treatments began July 2 in Bunia, as South Africa prepares 36 hospitals for possible cases. Oil & Refining Push: Dangote has begun preliminary work on a proposed $17bn, 700,000 bpd refinery in Kenya’s Lamu, while Kenya’s government and investors gear up for implementation timelines. Digital Growth: Ugandan e-commerce marketplace Ojjoshop has joined FasterCapital’s EquityPilot programme to speed up platform refinement, vendor onboarding and early go-to-market. Tax & Spending Oversight: Finance and URA plan a major tax collection push to raise Uganda’s tax-to-GDP ratio, as PPDA expands digital monitoring of public contracts across 1,296 projects. Trade Leadership: TradeMark Africa appoints new board members to deepen support for inclusive, greener and digitally enabled trade across Africa. Clean Energy Finance: Equity Bank Uganda rolls out financing aimed at making solar and clean cooking solutions more affordable for households and small businesses. Governance & Media: Parliament completes committee appointments for the 12th Parliament, while concerns grow over press freedom amid moves affecting major media outlets.

Oil & Industry: Ugandan farmers have filed a UK High Court case to stop the $5bn East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), arguing Uganda’s environmental and climate laws should apply to the UK-registered operator and that the nearly completed 1,443km project could displace over 100,000 people and threaten water and wildlife. Energy Investment: Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has launched investor opportunities at the Kabalega Industrial Park in Hoima, positioning it as a petro-based hub linked to the refinery and other midstream assets. Regional Refining Race: Aliko Dangote says his planned 700,000-bpd refinery will be built in Kenya’s Lamu, with estimates putting the project at about $17bn and roughly five years to complete. Digital Economy & Regulation: Uganda’s telecom regulator (UCC) has started a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed public Wi‑Fi hotspots, warning of cybersecurity and privacy risks. Ebola & Public Health: WHO and partners report DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still expanding (over 1,500 cases and 500+ deaths), while Uganda and Congo are moving ahead with clinical trial efforts and experimental therapies. Climate & Food Security: UN agencies have appealed for $200m+ to protect 8.8m people across high-risk African countries as El Niño conditions return, with Uganda among the listed affected nations. Water Security: Ntungamo’s Ntungamo district has received an underground Managed Aquifer Recharge system to store rainy-season water for dry spells, boosting climate resilience. Media Freedom: Uganda’s military has raided and shut down Nation Media Group outlets, including NTV and Daily Monitor, escalating pressure on non-state media.

EACOP Legal Push: Ugandan farmers have launched a UK High Court case against EACOP’s UK-registered operator, arguing the $5.6bn heated pipeline violates Uganda’s constitution plus environmental and climate laws, seeking an injunction to stop oil transport. Telecom Disruption: MTN Uganda says its July 5 outage was triggered by an internal power protection mechanism at the Mutundwe Data Centre, leaving calls, internet and mobile money services down for over six hours. Corruption Court Moves: Parliament’s communications boss Chris Obore Ariko has petitioned the High Court for bail while awaiting trial over alleged mismanagement of over Shs27bn; separately, former Speaker Anita Among’s file has reportedly been forwarded to the DPP. Health & Ebola Treatment: Uganda has approved compassionate use deployment of Island Pharmaceuticals’ Galidesivir for Ebola patients in the Bundibugyo outbreak under a WHO emergency framework. Gold Mining Crackdown: Uganda has suspended gold mining in Kanungu’s Kayungwe area over unlicensed activity, environmental damage and public health risks. Business & Trade: TradeMark Africa appoints three new board directors as it scales inclusive, greener and digitally enabled trade across Africa. Urban Waste: KCCA is exploring partnerships to build a modern plastic recycling facility to turn waste into products like tiles. Agriculture: Ugandan coffee growers in Masaka are adopting regenerative agriculture via model farms to improve resilience against drought and erratic rainfall.

Ebola Cross-Border Shock: DR Congo’s Ebola death toll has climbed past 500, with WHO reporting 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed cases, while Uganda records 20 confirmed cases and two deaths—prompting renewed focus on faster testing, safe isolation, and community trust. Health Response Strain: In Arua, two Ebola suspects escaped from an isolation unit, underlining how food, water and fear can weaken containment. Public Health Policy Debate: A new analysis questions Uganda’s border closure with Congo and the US plan to quarantine exposed Americans in Kenya, arguing such moves may not match what outbreak science supports. Smuggling Revenue Loss: Uganda Revenue Authority estimates the country loses over $700m (about Shs2.5tn) annually to smuggling and illegal cross-border trade, with cigarettes and other high-tax goods driving the illicit flow. Public Service Pay: Government released the 2026/27 salary structure, keeping scientists and technical professionals as top earners while many other public servants see limited changes. Corporate Deal Watch: Marriott’s new global beverage agreement with Coca-Cola ends a 34-year Pepsi partnership, with Kampala’s Marriott project expected to switch to Coca-Cola. Agribusiness: Kinyara Sugar will pay UGX5.5bn cash top-ups to sugarcane farmers for 2025/26, boosting grower incomes. Legal/Accountability: Former Parliament Speaker Anita Among’s prosecution file is reportedly ready, while Maj Gen James Birungi has been remanded on treachery-related charges.