AGP Executive Report

Public Health: Uganda has begun locally producing OraQuick HIV self-test kits at a new Mukono factory, which has already sent its first export consignment to Kenya. The manufacturer hopes to cut the retail price from Shs25,000–30,000 to about Shs7,000. TB Technology: Ten portable, AI-powered digital X-ray machines are being deployed in Ugandan health facilities to expand screening; the solar-powered units can produce results in about three minutes. Regional Disease Watch: Ebola deaths in the DRC have passed 5,000, with more than 10,000 confirmed infections. Insecurity and strained health services are hampering the response as officials warn of wider spread. Energy Research: Uganda is among four African countries in talks with Russia’s Rosatom about large nuclear power plants, though no project agreement has been announced. Climate Finance: Uganda has received just 5.7% of the US$28.1 billion estimated to meet its climate commitments by 2030, leaving a major funding gap for adaptation and emissions-cutting efforts.

HIV Manufacturing: Uganda’s first factory for OraQuick HIV self-test kits has sent its first export consignment to Kenya. The manufacturer says it aims to cut the retail price from Shs25,000–30,000 to Shs7,000. AI in Health: Ten portable, solar-powered AI X-ray machines are being deployed to private health facilities to speed up TB screening, with results in about three minutes. Nuclear Energy: Uganda is among four African countries in talks with Russia’s Rosatom on large nuclear power plants; discussions are ongoing, not a final deal. Food and Health: Researchers found 86% of outdoor ads within 250 metres of selected Ugandan schools promoted unhealthy foods, prompting calls for stronger marketing rules and warning labels. Climate Action: Uganda has received just 5.7% of the estimated US$28.1 billion needed to meet its climate commitments by 2030. Air Quality: Uganda’s AirQo initiative has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist.

AI in Healthcare: Ten AI-powered portable X-ray machines are being deployed at Ugandan clinics to expand tuberculosis screening, backed by Shs4.35 billion in US funding. A revolving finance model will use service revenue to fund more equipment. Local Health Technology: Mukono’s new HIV self-test factory has begun production and shipped its first consignment to Kenya. It makes up to 60,000 kits daily, with plans to lower the retail price to Shs7,000. Digital Skills: UCC says its training programmes have reached more than 13,000 women and 11,000 rural residents, including farmers and people with disabilities. Green Construction: Makerere graduate Leslie Kaneene is developing CoolBricks, which combines local soil and agricultural waste to make lower-carbon building blocks without cement or energy-intensive firing. Nuclear Energy: Rosatom says it is discussing nuclear power proposals with Uganda and Ghana; no project agreement has been announced.

Digital Skills: UCC says it has trained more than 13,000 women in digital skills, while its access fund has reached rural communities. AI in Health: Ten AI-powered portable X-ray machines are being deployed in Uganda to boost TB screening, with service revenue set to fund further equipment. Local Health Technology: A Mukono factory is producing up to 60,000 HIV self-test kits daily and has sent its first export consignment to Kenya; the manufacturer aims to cut the retail price to Shs7,000. Connectivity: Airtel Uganda added 840 network sites in two years and is using Starlink direct-to-cell service to extend coverage to remote areas. Homegrown Innovation: Makerere graduate Leslie Kaneene is developing lower-cost, lower-carbon bricks from local soil and agricultural waste. Cybersecurity: Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority has become Africa’s first financial intelligence unit to earn ISO 27001 information-security certification. Air Quality: Ugandan monitoring initiative AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist.

Ebola Response: A vaccine trial has begun in Congo’s Bundibugyo outbreak, which has exceeded 10,000 cases and nearly 5,000 deaths. Researchers are testing whether ERVEBO, developed for a different Ebola strain, can offer protection; no vaccine is approved specifically for Bundibugyo virus. Cybersecurity: Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority has earned ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for protecting sensitive information, a milestone that could encourage stronger security across government agencies. Education Technology: Ugandan startup School Monitor Technologies is digitising school records, fee tracking and accounting, with SMS tools that let schools reach parents using basic phones. Water Research: Makerere University has unveiled an urban expansion model aimed at addressing water scarcity in Greater Kampala. Clean Air: Uganda’s AirQo initiative has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its air-quality monitoring work.

Green Innovation: MTN Uganda and WWF named Agrosap the 2026 PachiPanda winner for its soil moisture-retention solution; the youth-led venture receives UGX 15 million. Cybersecurity: Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority became the first of 51 African financial intelligence units to earn ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. Water Research: Makerere unveiled a model to help address water scarcity, contaminated supplies and sewage overflows as Greater Kampala expands. Ebola Response: The DRC outbreak has topped 10,000 confirmed cases, with cases also reported in Uganda; health officials are urging stronger preparedness as vaccine trials progress. Minerals: Ionic Rare Earths is reviewing options for its Makuutu project, including partnerships and potential links to US supply chains. Energy Access: Uganda and the African Development Bank launched a plan to mobilise $17.7 billion, aiming for 85% electricity access and 50% clean-cooking access by 2030.

Ebola Vaccine Research: African and European regulators say some repeated animal tests could be waived to speed trials of vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain. Uganda began a human trial on October 6, while Kenya could also host trials. Urban Water: Makerere University has unveiled a model to help Greater Kampala address water scarcity and sanitation pressures caused by rapid urban growth. Clean Air Innovation: Makerere-founded AirQo is a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize. Its low-cost monitors and data platforms track pollution across 16 cities in nine African countries. HIV Treatment: A trial across Uganda, Kenya and South Africa found long-acting HIV injections maintained viral suppression as effectively as daily pills for people facing adherence challenges. Youth Innovation: Fifteen Ugandan teams have reached MTN’s PachiPanda finals with technology and business ideas aimed at environmental challenges.

Clean Air: Makerere-founded AirQo, which uses affordable monitors and AI to track pollution, has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist. Its network spans more than 500 monitors in 16 African cities, helping communities and officials identify pollution hotspots. Oil and Climate: As first oil nears, a new assessment warns Uganda may lack the monitoring systems, regulations and enforcement needed to control methane emissions. HIV Research: A trial involving participants in Uganda and two other African countries found that eight-weekly cabotegravir-rilpivirine injections maintained viral suppression as effectively as daily pills for people facing adherence challenges. Digital Skills: MTN Uganda has opened a resource centre to train teachers in digital literacy and AI tools; 102 teachers graduated at its launch. Smart Cities: Mbale and China’s Guiyang plan cooperation on digital governance, coffee processing, agriculture and green development, with a joint working group due within two months.

Medical Drones: Uganda’s Health Ministry has launched a pilot to move laboratory samples and medical supplies by drone, aiming to improve access for island communities and hard-to-reach clinics. Digital Learning: MTN Uganda’s new online and offline teachers’ resource centre will support educators’ digital skills and classroom learning. Ebola Alert: The DRC outbreak has passed 10,000 cases; Uganda is requiring 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from the country as regional authorities step up containment efforts. AI Strategy: A Ugandan delegation visited Egypt to study its AI plans, data systems and talent development as Uganda prepares a national strategy. Local Innovation: Makerere graduate Kaneene Leslie is developing CoolBricks, using soil and agricultural waste to make lower-carbon building materials without conventional cement or firing.

Ebola Response: The outbreak in DR Congo has topped 10,000 confirmed cases. Uganda is requiring 21-day quarantine for returning citizens who travelled through Congo, while African and European regulators have issued guidance to speed trials of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines. AI Strategy: A Ugandan ICT delegation is in Egypt to study its AI plans, data systems and research as Uganda prepares a national strategy. Local Innovation: Makerere graduate Kaneene Leslie is developing CoolBricks, which uses soil and farm waste to make lower-cost, lower-carbon building bricks. Agricultural Technology: Eight East African countries, including Uganda, have adopted shared rules intended to speed biopesticide approvals and broaden farmers’ access to crop-protection products. Digital Startups: Ugandan startup XenFi’s platform helps Wi-Fi operators manage customers, routers and mobile-money payments.

Ebola Response: With cases reported in Kenya and Nigeria after a major outbreak in DR Congo, experts are urging stronger regional surveillance and faster Bundibugyo vaccine trials. Uganda has ordered a 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from Congo. AI and Data: Uganda’s National Data Strategy could support home-grown AI, but concerns over its legality and overlap with the statistics bureau’s mandate highlight the need for clear rules on data governance. Medical Drones: Government testing in Kalangala is assessing whether drones can carry medical supplies and laboratory samples. HIV Research: A $24 million Canadian-backed project involving Ugandan partners aims to advance potential HIV cures and build capacity for affordable production and delivery in the region. Digital Skills: A virtual-reality training initiative is giving young Ugandans a safe space to practise job interviews and workplace communication. Farm Technology: At Namulonge’s Agribusiness Expo, researchers warned that irrigation systems costing up to Shs1.3 million are out of reach for many smallholder farmers.

Ebola Watch: Africa CDC is sending scientists to Nigeria to trace how a Ugandan-born woman contracted the Bundibugyo virus. Investigators are examining a possible link to Kenya’s case; both patients may have passed through Entebbe on October 3. Uganda has also ordered 21-day quarantines for citizens returning from DR Congo. HIV Research: A Canadian-led, six-year HIV-cure initiative has secured $24 million and will work with Ugandan partners to develop treatments and build production and delivery capacity in Africa. Digital Learning: MTN Uganda has opened a teachers’ resource centre offering online and offline materials, digital-skills training and guidance on using AI in education. Technology and Data: Uganda is testing long-range drone flights to carry medical supplies and laboratory samples in Kalangala, while its new National Data Strategy lays groundwork for a national AI plan.

Ebola Response: Uganda will quarantine returning citizens with recent travel to DR Congo for 21 days and has stepped up screening at Entebbe and land crossings. Officials are also investigating how Ebola cases in Nigeria and Kenya passed through Uganda; the Bundibugyo strain has no licensed vaccine. HIV Research: Three decades of Rakai research have shaped global prevention, including findings on viral load and male circumcision, and continue to guide Uganda’s efforts to end HIV. Digital and Medical Innovation: Uganda’s new five-year National Data Strategy lays groundwork for a national AI plan, while health officials are testing drones to carry medical supplies and laboratory samples in Kalangala. Electric Mobility: Spiro Uganda plans to grow its battery-swapping network from four major hubs to 11 by December, supporting the shift to electric motorcycles.

Ebola Response: Uganda will quarantine for 21 days citizens returning from the DRC, as the country reviews travel links to recent Ebola cases. In Bunia, a new trial is testing whether existing and experimental vaccines can protect against the Bundibugyo strain; Ervebo’s effectiveness against it is still uncertain. Health Tech: The Health Ministry has test-flown drones in Kalangala to carry medical supplies and laboratory samples, aiming to cut delivery delays and speed up diagnosis for island communities. Air Quality: Makerere’s AirQo network is using affordable sensors to map pollution in Kampala and other African cities, though the key challenge remains turning readings into action. Electric Mobility: Spiro Uganda plans to expand from four battery-swapping hubs to 11 by December, supporting the growing electric motorcycle fleet. Climate-Smart Farming: Water experts are urging farmers to adopt carefully managed irrigation and harvest rainwater to cope with erratic rainfall and dry spells.

Air Quality: Makerere’s AirQo sensors are helping cities identify pollution hotspots, but the key challenge remains turning readings into action to protect residents. Medical Drones: Uganda has tested beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights in Kalangala to carry medical supplies and lab samples, potentially speeding diagnosis for island communities. Biopharma: Government plans to secure 600 acres in Wakiso for Dei BioPharma’s expansion, which aims to boost local production of medicines, vaccines and specialist treatments. Antibiotic Resistance: A regional review estimates 61.4% of bacteria causing urinary infections are resistant to multiple antibiotic classes; only three of its 16 studies came from Uganda, limiting how broadly the figure applies. Digital Policy: Uganda’s five-year National Data Strategy lays groundwork for an AI plan, but a dispute with UBOS over the strategy’s authority has raised questions about how government data will be managed. Public Health: A Health Ministry report says only about one in ten Ugandans washes hands properly, while preventable diarrhoeal disease kills 33 children under five each day.

Medical Drones: Uganda’s health ministry tested BVLOS flights in Kalangala to carry lab samples and medical supplies, aiming to cut transport delays and speed diagnosis. Biopharma Manufacturing: The government is pursuing 600 acres in Wakiso for Dei BioPharma’s expansion, which could add production of vaccines, cancer drugs and sickle-cell treatments. Rural Connectivity: MTN Uganda is offering Starlink business internet to organisations beyond the reach of conventional networks. Digital Policy: Uganda’s five-year National Data Strategy lays groundwork for AI, but a dispute with UBOS over its authority raises questions about data governance. Community Health: Makerere research found better equipment and training for central Uganda’s village health teams, but medicine shortages still limit care for sick children. In Mbarara, shortages are also restricting access to long-acting HIV-prevention injections.