AGP Executive Report

Budget & Growth: Finance Minister Henry Musasizi unveiled a Shs84.4trn 2026/27 budget framework, projecting 10.2% growth on oil production, infrastructure, agriculture and industrial expansion, with sports funding set at Shs460.78bn. Health & Community Care: Kabaka’s Tubeere Balamu health camp in Mukono delivered free services to thousands, with calls for stronger health insurance to improve access. Ebola Watch (DRC/Uganda): WHO says Bundibugyo Ebola is spreading fast across DRC and Uganda, with 695 confirmed cases and 138 deaths, while Uganda condemns “unfair” travel curbs that could hurt trade and tourism. Transport Costs: Fuel prices have pushed Kampala and other fares up, with operators citing higher costs and occasional fuel shortages. Finance & Accountability: Parliament approved a new ~Shs730bn loan for the Solar Powered Irrigation and Water Supply project after criticism of failures in the first phase, and OPM moves to terminate the Lango Palace contractor after abandonment and stalled work. Lending Scrutiny: A Kenyan court slammed Mogo Auto for “exploitative” 86% interest charges, a reminder of pressure on high-cost lending. Malaria: Uganda is set to roll out a new anti-malaria drug aimed at tackling rising resistance to current treatments.

Ebola Update: DR Congo’s confirmed Ebola cases rose to 689 with 139 deaths, as new infections were reported in Ituri and health authorities flagged gaps in treatment capacity, infection control supplies, alert reporting, and a $21.5m funding shortfall. Uganda’s Stance: Uganda condemned “unfair” Ebola travel curbs, arguing they lack scientific backing and could hurt trade and tourism even as WHO warns blanket bans can undermine response efforts. Cross-Border Response: Uganda plans to deploy 160 medics to DRC to support local teams, while the US pledged over $200m for detection at airports and border crossings. Agribusiness Trade: Tanzania secured access to South Africa’s fresh banana market after phytosanitary talks, a boost for farmers and export earnings. Finance & Governance: MMFL shareholders approved the first quarterly dividend and ratified six directors after MobileMoney’s structural merger. Budget Talk: Economists and civil society dissected Uganda’s 2026/27 budget, praising production and wealth-creation moves but questioning taxes and rising debt. Youth Jobs: Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said youth unemployment is worsened by lack of guidance, urging more focus on the informal sector. UN Appointments: UN Secretary-General Guterres named Nigerian Ahunna Eziakonwa as Special Adviser on Africa.

Ebola Response Funding: The US has committed over $200m to Ebola control in DRC and Uganda, with support aimed at detection at airports and border crossings as cases rise and contact tracing gaps widen. Ebola Treatment Supply: Gilead is donating more than 2,000 vials of remdesivir to Uganda to back the Bundibugyo outbreak response, while Elsevier launched a free Ebola Information Center for clinicians and researchers. Uganda Airlines Expansion: Uganda Airlines signed a formal commitment with Boeing for 10 aircraft (including 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX), a major boost toward making Uganda a regional aviation hub. Budget & Infrastructure: Parliament is moving into the final phase of new chambers construction, while Uganda’s 2026/27 budget continues to prioritize transport and other infrastructure spending. Extractives Watch: Civil society warns Uganda’s gold export boom is not translating into enough government revenue, raising questions on how the sector is benefiting the economy. Health Workers Pay Dispute: Uganda Medical Association rejects a government proposal to replace intern allowances with lunch only, saying interns need full support including transport and meals. Education & Connectivity: Airtel Africa Foundation’s inaugural report highlights $6.2m investment, including connecting 1,028 schools to the internet and funding STEM scholarships across Uganda and other countries.

Uganda Airlines & Aviation: Uganda Airlines has committed to buy 10 Boeing aircraft—four 787 Dreamliners, four 737 MAX 8s and two converted freighters—setting up a fresh contest over who will supply the Dreamliner engines as deliveries are expected from 2027. Ebola & Public Health: The DRC Ebola outbreak is worsening, with Africa CDC saying cases and deaths have climbed to 676 and 136, while misinformation is complicating response; Uganda has recorded 19 cases, mostly among people crossing from Congo. Oil, Trade & Environment: A new report warns the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) threatens wetlands and wildlife corridors, with long-term risks for communities and animal migration routes. Education Finance: Uganda’s 2026/27 budget boosts education, skills and sports, including a 25% salary increase for primary and arts teachers, with the sector getting over Shs 6.66tr. Labour Migration: Government plans a digital tracking system for Ugandans working abroad under the labour externalisation programme to improve monitoring and consular support. Tourism Impact: Uganda’s hospitality sector says Ebola-related travel advisories and misinformation are driving cancellations and losses. Green Finance: KCB Group reports Sh48.8bn in green financing loans across East Africa, with verified climate-eligible funding.

Uganda Budget Pushes Growth and Oil Momentum: Uganda projects 10.2% economic growth in 2026/27 as commercial oil production is expected to start, with Finance Minister Henry Musasizi saying the bigger economy will boost jobs, incomes and public investment. Security Spending Boost: Government set aside Shs10.21trn for security, governance and rule of law, including UPDF modernisation, border security, crime intelligence, CCTV, cybersecurity and immigration services. Infrastructure and Energy Drive: Transport gets Shs8.79trn for roads, rail, airports and Uganda Airlines, while energy receives Shs2.07trn for Kiba hydro, solar projects, transmission upgrades and rural electrification. Agro-Industrialisation Under Pressure: Agro-industrialisation is allocated Shs2.26trn, but still below the Maputo 10% target, as government targets value addition through research, irrigation, inputs and market access. Tourism and Exports Plan: Tourism is funded at Shs567.32bn for destination marketing, infrastructure, conservation and economic diplomacy, while a US-focused training programme aims to help 100 Ugandan artisans meet export standards. Finance Sector Green Push: KCB disbursed about Sh48.8bn in green loans and screened Sh587.9bn for sustainability, pushing green lending to 25.84% of total. Ebola Watch Hits Business Risk: DRC and Uganda’s Ebola outbreak has topped 600 cases; WHO warns labs in DRC ran out of testing supplies and Africa CDC flags gaps in contact tracing and funding. Regional Trade and Investment: Uganda’s regional cooperation docket changed hands, with renewed focus on joint permanent commissions to open markets for Ugandan goods. MTN Fintech Expansion: MTN is finalising separation of fintech operations in Nigeria and Uganda to attract strategic investors and grow mobile money and lending.

Ebola Watch (Uganda): Uganda has tightened Ebola prevention in districts bordering eastern DR Congo, suspending mass gatherings like weddings and market days and urging strict school guidelines; Health officials say there have been no new cases in five days, but Uganda’s total remains 19 confirmed cases including two deaths. Aviation & Trade: Uganda Airlines signed a $985m Boeing deal for 10 aircraft (eight passenger and two cargo), a major boost for passenger and cargo capacity and regional connectivity. Budget & Oil Revenue: Uganda’s 2026/27 budget is set at about Sh84.3–84.4trn, with projections of Sh1.44trn from oil and gas—marking the shift toward direct oil production revenue. Parliament Finance: MPs approved a €168.9m loan for Phase II of solar-powered irrigation to expand coffee production and climate resilience. Digital Payments: MTN is unbundling fintech operations in Nigeria and Uganda to unlock new investor capital, while aiming to grow home connectivity across Africa. Business & Inclusion: A livelihood programme (DREAMS) combining entrepreneurship support and market access reduced extreme poverty among refugees and host communities in Uganda and Ethiopia, with higher consumption and savings.

Uganda Budget & Debt: Uganda’s 2025/26 financial year ends with mixed results—agriculture, oil and tourism helped, but rising public debt and missed revenue targets remain pressure points, with URA short of a mid-year collection target by over Shs1tr. Public Finance Priorities: For 2026/27, government earmarks about UGX 33.4tr for debt servicing (40% of the Shs84.39tr budget), with interest alone at UGX 12.4tr. Solar Irrigation Financing: Parliament approved a UGX 735.7bn loan for phase two of solar-powered irrigation, targeting 427 systems to boost rural incomes and protect coffee areas from dry spells. Digital Payments Push: Bank of Uganda sets new over-the-counter cash withdrawal limits from Jan 1, 2027—aiming to keep Uganda’s already fast-moving shift to electronic payments on track. Clean Cooking Jobs & Savings: Detra Energy’s results-based financing is helping households cut charcoal use—one stove can stretch a Shs80,000 charcoal purchase to about three months—while supporting a wider clean energy push. Air Transport Deal: Uganda Airlines signed a Shs3.7tr Boeing deal for 10 aircraft, including Dreamliners and freighters, to expand long-haul, regional and cargo operations from Entebbe. EAC Trade Cooperation: The East African Business Council and Kenya’s consulate in Arusha pledged closer cooperation to reduce barriers and lift intra-EAC trade, with focus on cross-border commerce. World Bank Support: The World Bank plans to more than double its loan stock to Uganda and outlines a multi-year lending framework aimed at jobs and private-sector-led transformation.

Ebola & Public Health: Uganda is in the spotlight as the DRC-linked Ebola outbreak expands, with reports of rising deaths and confirmed cases, while WHO and Africa CDC warn that a funding gap and weak supplies are hampering response; Uganda’s Ministry of Health leadership, including Dr Diana Atwine, is again under pressure as cross-border transmission risks grow. Regional Trade & Border Controls: Lake Victoria and border routes are being flagged as key vulnerabilities, with calls for stronger screening and emergency preparedness to protect trade and fishing communities. World Bank Financing: The World Bank plans to lend Uganda about $6bn (Shs 23tn) over 10 years to drive private-sector-led transformation and jobs. Education Reform: Government moves to merge UNEB with NCDC under a new Curriculum, Assessment and Admissions Bill to cut duplication and improve efficiency. Digital Finance & Telecom: ITC and Equity Group sign an MoU to grow East Africa value chains (coffee, leather, creative economy), while MTN partners with Ant International to build a fintech super app. Uganda’s Digital Economy: Uganda’s betting boom is driving record gaming revenues, but regulators warn about the costs and risks of rapid growth. Business & Markets: Old Mutual proposes a balance sheet restructuring to strengthen dividend capacity, and Uganda’s outsourcing ranking is being tested by the need to turn talent wins into real jobs.

Ebola Response & Funding: WHO and Africa CDC launched a $518m emergency plan to curb the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak as cases spread in DRC and Uganda, while officials warn a funding shortfall and shortages of PPE could undermine response efforts. Cross-Border Trade & Travel: The Trump administration urged Europe to tighten travel restrictions from Ebola-hit countries ahead of the 2026 World Cup, raising fears of wider travel curbs and knock-on effects for regional movement. Uganda Policy & Governance: Uganda enacted the Protection of Sovereignty Act 2026, requiring entities receiving foreign money to register as foreign agents—an issue critics say could affect civil society and parts of the economy. Power Supply: Kenya’s electricity sector leaders warned of worsening supply and load shedding tied to political interference, calling for open, competitive procurement to cut power costs. Agri-Business & Development: Uganda’s rail milestone saw 633 tonnes of crude palm oil delivered to BIDCO in Jinja after an eight-year rail gap, easing road pressure and improving logistics. Road Safety & Corporate Social Impact: Vivo Energy Uganda donated 500 child safety helmets worth Sh40m to police to boost school road safety for boda boda riders. Regional Finance & Markets: Shelter Afrique rebranded into a development bank and flagged stronger momentum to finance affordable housing across Africa, while Zanzibar plans a stock exchange and investment bank to unlock long-term capital.

Ebola Response & Trade Impact: WHO chief Tedros praised Uganda’s Ebola containment, saying travel restrictions are unnecessary and mainly hurt the economy, as Uganda reports 19 cases and keeps border labs running while health teams prepare to support DRC. Regional Health Funding: Africa CDC and WHO launched a unified six-month Ebola plan for June–November 2026, targeting $518m to strengthen surveillance, labs, care and cross-border coordination. Ebola Surge in DRC: Congo’s Bundibugyo outbreak jumped to 515 cases and 91 deaths, with no licensed vaccine for this strain, raising pressure on Uganda’s preparedness. Infrastructure Finance: Uganda secured a €270m Afreximbank loan to fund roads, rail, ports, energy, industrial parks and agricultural value addition, with an Afreximbank East Africa trade office set to open in Kampala. Tourism & Skills: World Bank-backed training in Jinja is expanding tourism workforce capacity, while Uganda’s coffee sector faces a short-term hit as April export earnings fell 10% despite record volumes. Business & Investment Moves: TIP acquired a 20% stake in a Ugandan firm to deepen its East Africa expansion, and UCC granted Shs182.6m to university-led innovation projects. E-commerce Enforcement: Japan’s customs agents are training internationally, including Ugandan participants, to better tackle counterfeits in cross-border parcel trade. Public Finance & Governance: Uganda marks Heroes’ Day with a scaled-down State House ceremony as government austerity trims spending on public functions.

Ebola Response & Border Policy: WHO chief Tedros praised Uganda’s Ebola containment efforts after visiting Mulago, citing strong screening, surveillance, testing and case management, while urging countries to ease travel restrictions that he says are unnecessary and economically damaging. Ebola Numbers & Regional Coordination: Uganda reported 19 confirmed cases and two deaths as the DRC outbreak climbs past 500, with WHO pushing cross-border collaboration and warning against crowd events that could accelerate spread. Cabinet Swearing-In: President Museveni presided over the swearing-in of 78 ministers, but four nominees missed the oath after citizenship-related concerns, including delayed appointments tied to dual citizenship. Agribusiness & Trade: FAO warned that fertilizer shocks could worsen food insecurity, urging countries to keep trade open on agricultural inputs and use fertilizer efficiently. Coffee Market: Uganda’s coffee export earnings fell about 10% year-on-year in April to $155.5m as global prices weakened, though the 12-month trend remains up. Business & Finance: Uganda ranked 24th globally as an outsourcing destination in the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index, boosting its BPO and digital services appeal.

Ebola & Trade Controls: The EU says a ceasefire in eastern DR Congo is now a public health necessity as fighting disrupts Ebola containment, while MPs from Nyanza urge Uganda to tighten safeguards to prevent spread through Lake Victoria trade and island business links. Frontline Strain: In Congo’s Ebola epicentre, health workers report low pay and exhaustion, as cases rise and community transmission is flagged, with Uganda also recording confirmed cases and deaths. Regional Preparedness at Borders: Kenya and Uganda, with ECSA-HC, are assessing Ebola screening and Standard Operating Procedures at Busia’s One Stop Border Post to plug gaps in passenger checks. Funding Clean Energy: Equity Bank Uganda is expanding green financing for solar and clean cooking, using green loans and results-based financing to cut upfront cost barriers for households and businesses. Sports Nutrition Push: BIRDC and the Uganda Olympic Committee commit over Shs2.5bn to a Nutrition for Sports initiative, alongside plans for a major banana processing factory. Education Power Upgrade: A solar rollout in Kilulu-Mbale is helping schools keep learning running despite unreliable grid electricity.

Ebola & Border Health: Africa CDC and WHO launched a $518m, six-month joint continental plan to curb the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, pushing a “one plan, one budget, one team” approach across surveillance, labs, infection control, clinical care and community engagement. Regional Preparedness at Trade Points: Kenya and Uganda are running a joint Ebola preparedness assessment at Busia One Stop Border Post with ECSA-HC, focusing on screening gaps and Standard Operating Procedures to protect a key freight and passenger corridor. Uganda’s Local Response: Uganda’s Office of the President warned the public against fraudsters selling “RDC jobs,” stressing there are no vacant posts and no lists for appointments. Wildlife Enforcement: Uganda handed over 8.9 tonnes of seized wildlife contraband at Entebbe for destruction, tightening efforts against illegal trade. Health Innovation: Africa CDC hailed approval of Coartem Baby, a malaria treatment designed for newborns and infants under 5kg, expected to roll out across trial countries including Uganda. Education & Costs: Moroto schools report low term turnout as hunger and domestic work keep children away, with partners supplying learning materials to boost attendance.

Ebola & Trade Disruption: Uganda’s border closures and tighter controls linked to the DRC Ebola outbreak are hitting traders hard, with consignments stuck at Mpondwe and losses mounting as cross-border movement slows. Regional Health Funding: The US has added nearly $38m to Ebola response efforts in DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution to over $200m, while WHO pushes a $518m Africa plan to strengthen prevention, detection and response. Travel Curbs Spread: Mauritius has temporarily banned entry for travellers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan (with 21-day quarantine for residents/citizens), and the UAE has introduced Ebola-linked travel restrictions affecting inbound and transit passengers. EAC Budget Strain: The EAC faces a staffing crisis as vacancies rise and retirees miss pay amid a funding gap, threatening operations across key regional institutions. Green Finance Push: Equity Bank Uganda is rolling out cleaner-energy financing to make solar and clean cooking more affordable, using longer repayment structures and supplier-linked models. Business Climate Watch: Morocco tops Africa’s business destination rankings, with Uganda placed among the lower tier—an investor signal for the region. Digital Inclusion: A look at what Ugandan telecoms can learn from Kenya’s Safaricom and South Africa’s Vodacom on disability-focused access.

Ebola Response Funding: The U.S. State Department added nearly $38m to Ebola efforts in DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution to over $200m, with support for screening, contact tracing, treatment and public awareness. Regional Trade Impact: Uganda’s Congo border closure over Ebola fears is leaving traders with rotting cargo and mounting losses at Mpondwe as trucks are stuck for days. WHO Plan: WHO unveiled a $518m, six-month Africa-wide plan to curb the outbreak, citing fast spread and the need to strengthen prevention, detection and response capacity in DRC and Uganda. Travel Restrictions Ripple: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for travellers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan (with a 21-day quarantine for residents/citizens), while the UAE also imposed Ebola-linked travel restrictions affecting Uganda and the region. EAC Cash Crunch: The EAC is facing a staffing crisis after budget shortfalls, with retirees reportedly missing gratuity and many secretariat posts still vacant. Clean Energy Finance: Equity Bank Uganda launched green financing to make solar and clean cooking solutions more affordable, pushing longer repayment terms for households and SMEs. Tourism Push: UNDP is backing plans to unlock Lake Victoria Basin tourism and investment, aiming to create jobs while protecting the ecosystem.

Ebola & Borders: Uganda’s Mpondwe traders say border closures over Ebola fears are leaving consignments rotting, as the WHO and Africa CDC push a $518m, six-month Ebola plan for DRC and Uganda, with enhanced screening and community engagement. Regional Health Watch: Kenya reports no confirmed Ebola cases but has screened 80,000+ travellers and tested 56 samples, all negative, while other countries tighten entry rules. Trade & Compliance: Uganda’s export push is hitting familiar friction as authorities warn that compliance gaps are blocking local products from lucrative markets, with exporters and trade agencies meeting in Kampala to close the gap. Finance & Banking: Standard Bank says it wants to become the largest bank in East Africa by 2030, targeting a bigger client base and earnings growth across its Uganda corridor. Infrastructure & Tourism: President Museveni has launched Kidepo International Airport works in Karamoja, aiming to boost tourism, jobs and market access for local producers. Sports Media: UBC acquired rights to broadcast 2026 FIFA World Cup matches live and free across Uganda. Business & Skills: Mbale Skills Expo is set to connect young people with practical training as manufacturers seek job-ready talent.