AGP Executive Report

Satellite Connectivity: Starlink low-Earth-orbit internet has officially launched in Uganda, with Roke Telkom and Paratus Uganda first to offer the service after UCC-Starlink agreements cleared the way, targeting remote enterprises needing reliable, low-latency links. Climate & Farming Resilience: Government is finalising NDC 3.0 to cut emissions and boost community resilience, while also pushing irrigation expansion—aiming for 1.5 million hectares under irrigation by 2040 to protect farmers from unreliable rainfall. Maternal Health Tech Support: MTN Uganda wrapped up its Y’ello Care campaign by backing Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat with medical supplies, solar power, digital health tools, and training for Village Health Teams. AI for Public Services: An opinion piece argues Uganda’s planned AI-powered parliamentary system must be procured with strong safeguards—clear goals, protected data, accountability, and human oversight. Ebola Research Boost: CEPI-backed work in Glasgow will test whether antibodies from existing Ebola vaccines also protect against Bundibugyo virus, using samples including Ugandan healthcare workers from the 2019 response. Banking Talent Pipeline: UBA inducted 374 young professionals into its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme across eight African countries, stressing customer service as the key differentiator in a tech-driven banking world.

Satellite Internet in Uganda: Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit service has officially launched for enterprise customers, with Roke Telkom and Paratus Uganda first in line after UCC licensing cleared months of regulatory uncertainty. AI for Public Services: Uganda is considering an AI-powered parliamentary system, but experts urge careful procurement—clear goals, data protection, accountability, and human oversight. Ebola Response Pressure in DRC: The DRC Ebola outbreak is still racing ahead, with response teams warning that quarantines and restrictions are slowing containment as cases and deaths climb. Agriculture Extension Underfunding: Uganda’s next farming season faces risk as extension services get about 1% or less of the agriculture budget, leaving huge farmer-to-extension-worker gaps as El Niño looms. Uganda’s Digital Education Push: Makerere Business Institute graduates were urged to turn skills into enterprise, while Makerere University climbed to 776th globally in Webometrics, improving impact and research visibility. Energy & Infrastructure Watch: Tanzania inaugurated the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant (2,115MW), strengthening grid supply—an important regional signal for power reliability.

Satellite Connectivity: Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit internet has officially landed in Uganda, with Roke Telkom and Paratus Uganda first to activate services after UCC licensing cleared regulatory uncertainty. University & Research Visibility: Makerere University jumped to 776th globally in the July 2026 Webometrics ranking, improving its Impact and Excellence scores. AI & Open Models: Google says its Gemma open AI models have passed one billion downloads, with developers building tools that can run on phones, edge devices, and even spacecraft—plus reported use cases reaching rural health work in Uganda. Energy & Infrastructure: Tanzania inaugurated the Julius Nyerere hydropower project, a $2.9B dam built by an Egyptian consortium, targeting 2,115MW and flood control. Education for Jobs: Parliament Speaker Oboth-Oboth urged MBI graduands to focus on practical skills and enterprise, not certificates. Public Finance Rules: Government rolled out a Budget Discipline and Accountability Charter, warning accounting officers of automatic administrative sanctions for breaches. Health Watch (Ebola): Aid workers say Ebola quarantine rules are slowing response as the DRC outbreak accelerates.

Space Skills Boost: Africa is training more engineers and researchers for satellite growth, with Rwanda pushing local cleanroom work for its first registered commercial satellite and Uganda joining regional plans for a jointly owned communications satellite. IT Export Push: Uganda’s UFZEPA is targeting a jump in IT/IT-enabled services exports from $48.5m toward a bigger share of the $1.57tn global market, using BPO hubs and labour-competitiveness gains. Financial Sector Research: Bank of Uganda is launching a research centre and fund to map barriers to credit growth and deepen financial services. Ebola Response Pressure: Canada’s 21-day Ebola quarantine for returning travellers is drawing criticism from aid workers as the DRC outbreak accelerates. Starlink for Enterprises: Paratus Uganda launches licensed Starlink low-Earth-orbit internet for enterprise customers after UCC cleared operations. Education Reform Debate: Curriculum experts urge reforms that reach every learner, while MPs warn Uganda’s skills gap leaves graduates without practical job-ready competencies. Fisheries Crackdown: Uganda unveils tougher fisheries regulations to curb illegal fishing and restore dwindling fish stocks. Public Health & Food Safety: UK salmonella warnings focus on avoiding undercooked eggs and egg products for vulnerable groups. Robotics in Sports: A Chinese humanoid robot “Lightning” posts a record 100m practice sprint, highlighting rapid advances in AI robotics.

Digital Finance Modernisation: Ericsson and MTN Group Fintech completed the cloud-native migration of MTN MoMo across markets including Uganda, boosting performance with up to 80% faster API responses and laying groundwork for wider digital financial services. Food Systems & Jobs: Rwanda will host the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali (31 Aug–5 Sep) to turn food-systems commitments into investment, jobs, and resilience. Public Health—Ebola Response: WHO says DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak remains a global emergency as cases and deaths surge; CEPI is funding $4.17m studies to test whether existing Ebola vaccines can protect against Bundibugyo. Uganda Fisheries Regulation: Uganda’s government unveiled tougher fisheries rules to curb illegal fishing, control capacity, and protect breeding grounds as fish stocks dwindle. AI in Everyday Life: Google says its Gemma open AI models have passed one billion downloads, while separate reports highlight biased “advice” from AI systems—raising trust and safety questions. Disability Support: UNAB appealed for help to provide white canes to most visually impaired Ugandans who cannot afford them.

Skills & Jobs: Ugandan MPs at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Lilongwe pushed for an education overhaul, warning that graduates are leaving school with certificates but not the practical technical, digital, engineering and vocational skills employers need. Fisheries Tech & Enforcement: Uganda’s MAAIF unveiled tougher fisheries regulations to curb overfishing, illegal gear and destructive practices, aiming to restore dwindling fish stocks and protect breeding grounds. Ebola Vaccines (DRC): WHO and Africa CDC said the DRC has received 70,000 Ervebo doses for the worsening Bundibugyo outbreak—20,000 for a Phase III trial and 50,000 for frontline health workers. Ebola Research Funding: CEPI committed $4.17m to studies testing whether existing Ebola vaccines can generate protection against Bundibugyo virus. Digital Innovation: Equator Voice Africa expanded its East Africa digital journalism footprint from Kampala, while Zanzibar hosted Data Tamasha Africa 2026 to showcase homegrown AI and data-driven public solutions. Transport Digital Economy: Union Transport Alliance launched Union Online Duuka, a Rukapay-powered digital marketplace bringing shopping and flexible financing into Uganda’s transport ecosystem. Public Health (Food Safety): Uganda-linked readers were reminded by UK guidance to avoid runny eggs and uncooked egg products for vulnerable groups after a salmonella outbreak tied to imported eggs.

Health & Research: Uganda-linked history of ADHD research highlights how “difference” can be treated as “disorder” when schools and communities punish hyperactivity instead of supporting learning. Cancer Diagnostics: Reports warn that some breast cancers can look “probably benign” on mammograms yet turn out to be aggressive lymphoma, stressing the need for correct follow-up. Malaria Surveillance: A Ghana-based malaria network says Africa carries 94% of the world’s malaria burden and urges stronger surveillance and messaging as insecticide resistance and climate shifts threaten gains. HIV Prevention: A PURPOSE 1 study update from Uganda and South Africa reports zero HIV infections over a year with lenacapavir long-acting PrEP in female adolescents and women. Ebola Vaccines: CEPI backs $4.17m studies to test whether existing Ebola vaccines can protect against Bundibugyo virus using stored samples. Digital Economy in Uganda: Union Transport Alliance launches Union Online Duuka, a Rukapay-powered marketplace combining shopping with flexible financing for transport workers. AI & Finance: FCMB plans AI-powered agritech advisory in local languages to expand farm financing, while Absa reports an agentic AI chatbot handling 100,000+ queries monthly. Cyber & Media: Coverage flags harmful AI stereotyping and warns African newsrooms about exploitation and language exclusion as AI adoption grows. Climate & Waste: New research outlines practical ways to cut methane from Uganda’s organic waste via composting, biogas and Black Soldier Fly treatment. Women in Tech: Standard Chartered Uganda unveils 20 women-led tech startups for its Women in Tech accelerator cohort.

Language & Opportunity: Uganda’s growing interest in learning Mandarin is reshaping higher education and professional pathways, as more students see China-linked mobility and jobs beyond English dominance. Nile Water Politics: Ethiopia’s plan for three more Blue Nile dams re-ignites the GERD dispute, with Egypt warning against upstream moves and the wider Horn of Africa now shaped by ports, Red Sea access, and Middle East influence. Climate + AI for Farmers: AFRACA and NIRSAL launched a Lagos masterclass on climate resilience and AI-driven agricultural finance, while NIRSAL also reported approving over UGX 100bn in credit risk guarantees for farm loans. Women in Tech: Standard Chartered unveiled 20 women-led, tech-enabled startups for the Women in Tech Uganda Accelerator Programme, targeting solutions across agri-tech, health, education, energy and financial inclusion. Organic Waste to Value: New research says Uganda can cut methane by improving organic waste handling—through composting, biogas and Black Soldier Fly systems—while supporting food, fertilizer and energy needs. Agri Livelihoods: Bukedi farmers are shifting from traditional crops to drought-tolerant coffee and cocoa varieties, boosting resilience and market demand. Health Tech & Care: A Ugandan trial found daily zinc supplementation reduced infections in children with sickle cell anemia, supporting stronger infection prevention strategies. Sports Infrastructure: Hoima’s Shs 152bn stadium is nearing completion for Afcon 2027, built with a hybrid pitch and multi-purpose indoor arena. Education & Media: ACME founder Dr Peter Mwesige is returning to teach at Makerere after the NGO regulator suspended ACME’s programmes earlier this year. Justice Access via Tech: Coverage highlights how Uganda’s BarefootLaw uses digital tools and rural “boxes” to bring legal help closer to communities.

Medical Training & Capacity: VP Dr Kembo Mohadi backed specialist health training at the ECSACOG graduation in Harare, arguing Africa must build its own obstetrics and gynaecology expertise to cut preventable maternal and newborn deaths. AI & Work: A new analysis finds AI’s labour-saving gains are big but uneven, with benefits depending on access to tools, skills, and how much work is actually using AI. Sports Infrastructure: Work started on the UGX 17bn Sir Tito Winyi Sports Academy in Hoima for AFCON 2027 training, delivered by the UPDF Engineering Brigade in six months. Public Health (Uganda): A Uganda trial reports daily higher-dose zinc reduced infections in children with sickle cell anaemia by 38%, cutting severe bacterial infections by two-thirds. Road Safety: After a fatal Kampala–Entebbe Expressway crash, calls are growing to reinstate the Express Penalty System to curb speeding using automated enforcement. Data Protection: Uganda’s PDPO says over 35,000 data collectors/processors remain unregistered, warning of criminal exposure to identity theft, fraud, and cyber attacks. Agriculture & Food Tech: SokoFresh scales a solar cold-chain model for perishable foods across East Africa, aiming to reach millions of smallholder farmers. Health & Global Threats: The DRC Ebola outbreak is reported as the deadliest on record, while the UK salmonella outbreak is linked to imported eggs, with experts warning confirmed cases may be only “the tip of the iceberg.”

Public Health Leadership: The CDC confirmed Erica Schwartz as its new director, as the agency juggles measles, a multistate cyclospora probe, and a fast-moving Ebola response—highlighting how public health guidance is becoming more politicized. Food Safety & Research Links: A UK salmonella outbreak tied to imported eggs has sickened 207 people and killed one, with experts warning the confirmed cases are likely only “the tip of the iceberg,” a reminder for Uganda’s own food safety and lab surveillance. Data Privacy Crackdown: Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office says over 35,000 data-collecting entities are still unregistered, warning non-compliance is a criminal offence and urging stronger safeguards against identity theft and fraud. Digital Infrastructure & AI Readiness: WSO2 opened its first Africa office in Johannesburg to support modernization and AI adoption, ahead of WSO2Con Africa in Nairobi. Health Workforce Policy: Uganda’s PAYE tax exemption debate for medical workers is heating up after President Museveni’s directive, with concerns about fairness and the tax base. Energy & Resilience: Local energy solutions across Africa are scaling practical fixes like solar monitoring, hybrid microgrids, and battery-swapping to cut diesel dependence and strengthen healthcare power. Ebola Watch: WHO reports the DRC Ebola outbreak remains a public health emergency, with deaths and cases rising fast and response still “catching up.” Cyber & Crime Cooperation: Uganda and UNODC signed an agreement to establish a Kampala office to tackle cross-border crime, drugs, corruption, and cyber threats. Green Finance for Farmers: aBi Finance and ASA Microfinance launched a Shs2bn SPROUT green finance push plus a Shs10bn lending facility for irrigation, improved seeds, and climate-smart farming. Banking Tech Momentum: Equity Bank reported strong H1 2026 results, pointing to digital banking as a key driver of profit growth.

Ebola Response in Focus: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 2,325 deaths from 4,945 confirmed cases, now the deadliest in the country’s history, with WHO warning it’s the fastest-expanding Ebola outbreak ever documented—raising pressure on surveillance and cross-border preparedness. Uganda Water & Health: Uganda is rolling out a Shs10bn solar-powered water facility in Sembabule to cut long treks and reduce disease risks from unsafe water shared with livestock. Digital Safety for Youth: Uganda launched a three-year “Be a Cyber Hero” campaign to protect children and young people from online exploitation, cyberbullying, scams, and phishing. Satellite Connectivity: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, extending mobile coverage without satellite dishes. Energy Transition Finance: Morocco is named among priority markets for a proposed $200m African energy transition fund targeting renewables and low-carbon infrastructure, including Uganda. Higher Education Signals: Webometrics’ latest Africa rankings put South Africa and Egypt in the top 10, with Uganda appearing but Nigeria missing from the list. Local STEM & Health Research: Uganda Cancer Institute research maps top cancer types across Uganda’s sub-regions, highlighting infection-linked cancers in women and lifestyle-linked cancers in men. Infrastructure Accountability: UEDCL faces scrutiny over recurring failures in its prepaid electricity vending system, with concerns about service reliability and revenue losses.

Energy Finance: Morocco is among 13 priority markets for a proposed $200m African energy transition fund (ATAF) backed by the African Development Bank, aiming to finance renewable power, storage, transmission and efficiency through 10–15 projects over five years. Digital Safety for Youth: Uganda launches a three-year “Be a Cyber Hero” campaign to curb online exploitation, cyberbullying, scams and phishing targeting minors. Satellite Connectivity: Airtel Africa and Starlink roll out direct-to-phone satellite service in DR Congo, using compatible smartphones to extend coverage without dish hardware. Power Sector Accountability: Uganda’s UEDCL faces scrutiny over recurring failures in a Spanish Indra-supplied electricity vending system, with officials seeking procurement and support details. Health & Cancer Focus: Uganda Cancer Institute ranks top cancer types by sub-region, highlighting infection-linked cancers in females and lifestyle-linked cancers in males. Maternal Health Tech: MTN Uganda supports Luuka’s maternal and newborn care with equipment, solar upgrades and training for electronic medical records use. ICT Talent Pipeline: Huawei Uganda recruits young ICT talent at Kyambogo University, linking campus skills to industry needs. Disability Inclusion: Arua launches a COPED programme training teachers in sign language and supporting learners with disabilities through 2027. Public Health Threat: Ebola in DR Congo keeps worsening, with reports of rapidly rising deaths and strain on response capacity.

Malaria Drug Resistance: Ugandan researchers report new genetic mutations in Plasmodium falciparum linked to reduced susceptibility to common antimalarial combinations, raising alarms for treatment effectiveness across sub-Saharan Africa. Ebola in DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest on record, with 2,325 deaths and 4,945 confirmed cases as WHO warns transmission is accelerating faster than response efforts. Kiteezi Landfill Rehab: Kampala’s Kiteezi dumpsite rehabilitation is nearly complete, with about half of the site stabilized and handed over to KCCA after the 2024 collapse that killed 46 people, funded by a Japan grant via UN-Habitat. Digital Rights & Connectivity: In DRC’s Fizi Territory, mobile and internet services have been cut for over a month amid conflict, prompting calls to restore access for communities and journalists. Uganda Tech & Property: A Ugandan startup, Propsy, is pushing property discovery through WhatsApp to reduce reliance on brokers and improve trust in real estate searches. Agriculture & Food Security: Stakeholders are urging stronger funding and timely releases for agrifood budgets to protect food security and jobs, alongside calls for better seed banks and fertilizer investment. Transport Safety: Renewed calls for Uganda’s Express Penalty System (EPS) are growing after a pedestrian death on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, with residents pointing to camera-backed enforcement.

Ebola Crisis in DRC: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with 2,325 deaths and 4,945 confirmed cases reported since May—plus a 46% case fatality ratio as patients are increasingly detected late. Uganda Link: Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases so far, underscoring the need for fast surveillance and cross-border response. Malaria Drug Resistance: Ugandan genome sequencing has revealed new Plasmodium falciparum genetic variants linked to reduced susceptibility to key malaria drugs, raising alarm that resistance may be spreading quickly. Transport Safety Tech: Calls are growing to bring back the Express Penalty System (EPS) after a pedestrian was killed on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, with residents pushing for camera-backed enforcement. Regional Tech & Health: Germany pledged Shs167bn to the EAC for trade integration and health support, including disease surveillance and Ebola training at borders. Digital Connectivity: Airtel and Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in DRC, expanding coverage where towers can’t reach. Uganda Skills Pipeline: UBOS sent 125 young professionals into the job market after a practical internship push. AI for East Africa: EAC and Germany launched the AI4EAC Challenge with a new Ebola response track.

Ebola Alert (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, making it the deadliest in the country’s history, with WHO warning it is spreading faster than past outbreaks and could spill beyond the region, including into neighbouring Uganda. Forensics & Cyber Skills: Jinja’s National Forensic Sciences University campus is pushing Uganda as a regional hub for forensic science, digital forensics and cyber security training, with new postgraduate programmes and professional diplomas. Curriculum Reform: Uganda’s National Curriculum Development Centre says curricula must be continuously reviewed using research and stakeholder input, with a focus on technology and global trends ahead of an international curriculum conference. Mining Workforce Gap: Industry leaders warn Uganda’s mining growth target could be hit by a shortage of metallurgists, mining engineers and mining economists, calling for faster skills development for both universities and artisanal miners. Digital Safety & AI-Ready Internet: Uganda’s Internet Governance Week calls for safer, more inclusive online services, stronger digital skills, and responsible AI use. Connectivity Breakthrough (Starlink): Airtel and SpaceX’s Starlink have launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in the DRC, enabling eligible users to connect compatible smartphones directly to satellites for SMS and limited data. Clean Cooking Push: Uganda is urged to expand clean cooking energy to cut smoke, health risks and deforestation, with support for electric, LPG and improved stove options. Education Tech (ICT): Kigezi stakeholders demand ICT equipment, reliable internet and supervisor training to help schools implement the Competency-Based Curriculum. Regional Data Governance: Uganda is positioning itself to host the East African Statistics Bureau, with a new Statistics House office block in Entebbe aimed at harmonising data methods across the region. Livestock Breeding Boost: NAGRC&DB is rolling out a five-year plan to improve dairy, piggery and poultry breeding stock for PDM farmers, targeting better genetics, productivity and commercialisation.

Digital Inclusion & AI-Ready Internet: Uganda Internet Governance Week 2026 pushed for safer, more inclusive online access, stronger digital skills, and responsible AI use, arguing connectivity alone won’t protect citizens. Satellite Connectivity: Airtel and SpaceX’s Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in DRC, letting compatible phones connect directly to satellites for SMS and limited data without a dish. Cybersecurity Push: Airtel Uganda and Roke Telkom urged a national cyber resilience framework with mandatory information sharing and regular drills to protect critical digital services. Ebola Alarm (DRC–Uganda): WHO warned the DRC outbreak is moving faster than any previous one and could become the deadliest on record, with insecurity and cross-border movement complicating response; Uganda is also seeing detected cases. Clean Cooking & Health: UECCC called for faster transition from firewood/charcoal to cleaner fuels to cut deforestation and household pollution, with forum partners promoting electric and LPG options. Digital Education: IICO secured global accreditation for an Uganda school under Canva Education, expanding interactive digital learning tools for teachers and students. Data Governance: Uganda flagged plans to host the East African Statistics Bureau, with a new Statistics House block in Entebbe aimed at regional data harmonisation and secure data systems. Agriculture & Breeding: NAGRC&DB rolled out a five-year plan to boost dairy, piggery and poultry breeding stock for PDM farmers, targeting better genetics and higher productivity. Livestock Maternal Care Tech: MTN Uganda supported Maddu Health Centre IV with equipment and EMRIS training, plus digital health tools and community health camps for maternal and newborn care. Climate-Resilient Farming Startup Support: FasterCapital selected Kakinga Young Farmers for EquityPilot to build climate-aware maize, coffee and poultry models with execution support for early operations. Legal Challenge to Sovereignty Law: CERAI and partners filed at the EACJ seeking suspension of parts of Uganda’s Protection of Sovereignty Act, arguing it could undermine regional integration and cross-border civil society work. Electric Transport Plans: Uganda taxi leaders said feasibility work is done to start switching to electric taxis in November, after a China visit to assess vehicle options and road readiness. Clean Waste & Landfill Safety: UN-Habitat and KCCA handed over the first phase of Kiteezi landfill rehabilitation funded by Japan, after the 2024 collapse that killed 46 people.