AGP Executive Report

Education & Jobs: Ugandan MPs at the Commonwealth conference in Malawi pushed for an urgent education overhaul, saying Uganda is producing graduates with certificates but not the practical technical and vocational skills the labour market needs. Youth Peacebuilding: ICPNC trained secondary students on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and dialogue, urging young people to manage school and community disagreements early. Health & Family Planning: Karamoja women in polygamous homes are pressured to keep having more children, while health workers link low family planning uptake to competition for status and support. Child Safety & Alcohol: Officials warn that cheap liquor and parental gaps are driving child alcohol abuse, school dropout and mental health problems. Medical Interns: Ugandan medical interns say the newly approved Shs1m allowance is too low for basic living costs and are pushing for higher pay. Digital Media: Equator Voice Africa expands its Kampala-based digital journalism footprint with culture, health and education desks for East Africa. Travel Lifestyle: Mastercard expands Priceless.com into “Priceless Africa,” giving cardholders curated cultural travel across Uganda and other markets. Culture & Sports: Kenya’s NOCK says it will host the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi, with Uganda among the participating countries. Public Health Watch: A UK salmonella outbreak has prompted warnings to vulnerable groups to avoid runny eggs and uncooked egg products. Crime & Family Tragedy: Police investigate a suspected domestic attack in Kampala’s Bunga where a Kenyan woman allegedly stabbed five children, killing two. HIV & Rights: At AIDS 2026 in Rio, Uganda’s Centre for Women Justice argues LGBTQ criminalisation doesn’t stop HIV—it drives it by pushing people away from services.

Malaria Watch: AMMREN renews calls for steady investment in malaria surveillance and public messaging, warning Africa still carries 94% of the world’s malaria burden and faces new pressures like insecticide resistance and shifting mosquito habitats. Ebola Update (DRC): Gavi adds $7m for 70,000 Ervebo vaccine doses and more support for routine immunisation as the Bundibugyo outbreak keeps climbing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health & HIV (Uganda): Makerere’s Noah Kiwanuka highlights trial results showing lenacapavir PrEP led to zero HIV acquisitions over a year among young women in PURPOSE 1. Creative Economy (Uganda): At Alex Mukulu’s burial, Museveni’s representative urged artists to professionalize, organize, and build legacies beyond short-term money. UN Politics (Uganda): Olara Otunnu pushes UN reform and stronger conflict prevention in the race for the next Secretary-General. Media & Learning: ACME founder Dr Peter Mwesige returns to teach at Makerere after ACME’s NGO suspension. Safety & Society: Police report fresh details in the Kalungu Bunga child stabbing case, while Uganda also faces wider regional violence fears for Christians across multiple countries. Immigration Shock (US-Liberia): The first US deportees arrive in Liberia under a deal to accept up to 1,200 people, raising humanitarian concerns.

Makerere & Media: ACME founder Dr Peter Mwesige is back in the classroom, appointed a lecturer in Journalism and Communication at Makerere after ACME’s suspension by the NGO regulator. Education Loss: Hillside Schools Naalya principal Dr Henry Stanley Okia dies after a sudden heart attack, ending a decades-long career in teaching and school leadership. Violence at Home: Kampala police investigate a Kalungu-Bunga stabbing where a Kenyan mother allegedly killed two children and injured three others, with a vehicle set on fire. Digital Safety & Youth: TikTok bans Kenyan creator Cindy Baibe after an alleged explicit livestream, reigniting debate on protecting minors online. Women in Tech: Standard Chartered Uganda unveils 20 women-led, tech-enabled startups for the 2026 Women in Tech Uganda Accelerator Programme. Public Finance & Accountability: Parliament scrutinises NUSAF 4 design after concerns that Sh59.3bn is swallowed by project management instead of reaching communities. Health Update: WHO declares polio type 2 outbreaks over in five African countries, including Uganda. Economy & Daily Life: An opinion piece argues Uganda’s growth headlines don’t match what people face on the ground—hand-to-mouth living, school and health struggles. Local Governance: State House warns schools over illegal UPE/USE charges, saying poor learners are being pushed out by hidden fees. Culture & Faith: Uganda’s military statue of Yonatan Netanyahu’s brother at Entebbe sparks questions amid the Gaza troop deployment debate.

Clean Cooking & Energy Prices: The IEA warns the LPG crisis linked to Strait of Hormuz disruption is pushing cooking fuel prices up across Africa, risking a slide back to wood and charcoal and worsening household air pollution. Disability Rights & Aviation: A South Sudanese disability activist says Uganda Airlines forced passengers with disabilities off a flight despite check-in and boarding, calling it discriminatory and a freedom-of-movement violation. UN Diplomacy: Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, bidding to succeed UN chief António Guterres, urged continued UN reform and restoration of moral authority, invoking St Francis. Church & GBV: The Anglican Church of Nigeria, with Ford Foundation support, rolls out a zero-tolerance GBV mandate across dioceses, pushing faith leaders toward accountability. Health & Caregiving: A Ugandan trial found daily zinc supplementation cut infections in young children with sickle cell anemia, while a dementia caregiving book highlights resilience through humor and real stories. Culture & Legacy: President Museveni led tributes for legendary playwright Alex Mukulu, praising theatre’s role in public education and social change. Sports & Community: UPDF’s CDF inter-forces drill competition expands to 1,400 personnel at Kololo, and Bugweri kick-started the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup with a 1-0 win.

Health Alert: A UK salmonella outbreak has sickened 207 people and killed one, with experts warning the real number could be far higher because many cases never get tested; authorities suspect a link to imported eggs. Cancer & Community: Centenary Bank is backing the Rotary Cancer Run with a push for early screening and awareness, stressing that the fight against cancer starts long before race day. Healthcare Policy: Government has reversed a plan that would have cut medical interns’ facilitation, keeping the current cohort on a net Shs1 million monthly allowance, after protests and debate. Public Health Access: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital’s CT scanner has broken down again, leaving patients stranded and forced to seek scans in private facilities. Culture & Faith: Pope Leo XIV appoints Ugandan priest Fr Emmanuel Katongole as a Vatican consultor on integral human development, while Uganda’s Orthodox Church community in Jinja baptizes dozens of new believers. Arts & Legacy: Uganda mourns playwright Alex Mukulu, with government granting him an official state burial. Diplomacy & Travel: Uganda’s handling of Taiwanese passport demands is drawing international backlash, and the US “Do Not Travel” advisory is raising fresh concerns for tourism and investment. Youth Well-being: Reach A Hand Africa launches a “Be Better” campaign targeting students’ mental health and emotional resilience.

Uganda’s Higher Education Shake-up: NCHE begins re-accreditation review of 700+ academic programmes, aiming to check whether universities can deliver promised skills ahead of next year’s rollout. Culture & Legacy: Uganda accords theatre icon Alex Mukulu an official burial at the National Theatre, with tributes highlighting his impact on the stage. Faith & Community: Uganda Buddhist Centre marks 20 years with a push to secure 13 acres of Lake Victoria wetland for Africa’s first dedicated dhamma retreat centre, protecting the ecosystem from resort or military development. Public Health: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is now the deadliest in the country’s history, with Uganda reporting 20 confirmed cases and WHO noting the last Ugandan patient was discharged on July 16. Gender & Dignity: Period poverty is flagged as a major barrier to girls’ education, with calls for action to end the cycle. Water & Daily Life: A Shs10bn solar-powered facility in Sembabule targets water-stressed households, easing long treks for unsafe water. City Cleanliness: KCCA sets fees for waste during National Cleaning Day (Aug 29), as Kampala tackles gaps in routine waste collection. International Tensions: Uganda withholds Taiwanese passports at the border, drawing criticism from lawmakers and MOFA responses. Sports & Development: SC Volcanoes appoint experienced FUFA Big League coach Sempigi Sadick ahead of their debut season, with ambitions beyond football.

Women’s Empowerment & Faith Tech: WUCWO and Taiwan launched a “Digital Empowerment for Women Leaders and Catholic Networks in Africa” project in Rome, with laptops and training for 50 focal points across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Ghana. Politics & Safety at Rallies: Linda Mwananchi’s campaign is set to stop in Meru on Aug 30, days after deadly Homa Bay violence left two dead and properties damaged. Health & Rights for Interns: Cabinet lifted the suspension on facilitation for Ugandan medical interns, confirming Shs1m monthly allowances from August to December after court bail for eight detained interns. Cancer Watch: Uganda Cancer Institute ranks top cancers by sub-region, highlighting infection-linked cancers for women and lifestyle-linked cancers for men, with concerns over rising stomach and skin cases. Environment & Enforcement: UWA is still struggling to stop illegal activities in Bugoma forest, as residents say charcoal burners have adapted to night operations and alleged payoffs. Digital Protection for Youth: Uganda launched a three-year “Be a Cyber Hero” campaign to curb online exploitation, scams and grooming targeting children and young people. Roads & Daily Life: Residents in Mukono’s Nsambwe remain stranded after the Nakyetinda bridge collapse, with disputes between district and sub-county authorities delaying repairs. Culture Spotlight: Uganda mourns theatre icon Alex Mukulu, remembered as a tough but brilliant teacher, playwright and judge who shaped generations.

Travel Safety Watch: The U.S. State Department keeps several countries on Level 4 “Do Not Travel” in 2026, citing risks like armed conflict, kidnapping, wrongful detention, disease outbreaks, and weak emergency support—highlighting how “beautiful in photos” can still be unsafe on the ground. Ebola Response: DRC’s Ebola outbreak keeps worsening, with deaths now at 2,325 and confirmed cases at 4,945, as health teams push harder on contact tracing, isolation, lab testing, and community engagement. Refugees & Returns: Kuwait-backed efforts have launched the first direct flight carrying 150 Sudanese refugees from Uganda to Khartoum, while Uganda also reports more voluntary repatriations as security improves. Church & Women’s Leadership: Evangelist Bishop LaDonna Osborn arrives in Uganda ahead of Pastor Patience Rwabwogo’s episcopal consecration, urging women to lead in church and society. Roads & Accountability: Government apologises over delayed Mubende road works after a crash killed a businessman and driver, renewing calls for faster rehabilitation. Culture Spotlight: Uganda mourns theatre icon Alex Mukulu, remembered for uncompromising standards and shaping generations of performance. Lifestyle & Community: AMDA’s Caravan Run blends sport with health screening and cancer/HIV services, while Kyambogo students challenge “affordable housing” assumptions with designs around Shs13m. Green Mobility: Spiro partners with the Rwenzori Marathon to push electric transport, using hundreds of riders to promote cleaner movement.

Politics & Legacy: Moses Ali, the “lion of Adjumani” who survived coups and prisons under Uganda’s dictatorships, has died aged 87, leaving a long trail from the 1971 Amin era to Museveni’s government. Regional Peace & Livelihoods: Uganda, IGAD and partners have started consultations for a five-year Karamoja programme (2027–2031) focused on livestock transformation, peacebuilding, youth and women inclusion, and better land-use governance. Health & Safety: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has hit a grim milestone—2,325 deaths and a case fatality rate now at 46%, with experts warning many cases are detected too late. Jobs & Skills: UBOS has sent 125 young professionals into the job market after a two-month internship push to bridge classroom learning and workplace reality. Labor Rights: KMPDU condemns the arrest of eight medical interns in Kampala over allowances, with the case adjourned for bail discussions. Clean Mobility & Sports: Spiro sealed a green partnership with the Rwenzori Marathon, deploying electric bikes to cut emissions during the event. Education & Capacity: NFSU’s Jinja campus is positioning Uganda as a regional hub for forensic science and cyber security training. Culture & Community: Archbishop Kaziimba urged faith-based schools to use idle land productively to prevent land grabbing, while also backing school fundraising through the Tambula Mengo Run.

Humanitarian Returns: Kuwait-backed flights have begun helping Sudanese refugees in Uganda return home under a voluntary return project by Direct Aid Society, aiming to reunite families and move over 1,000 people in about six weeks. Education & Skills: NCDC says Uganda’s curriculum must be continuously reviewed to stay relevant, while Kigezi stakeholders want ICT equipment and training to make the Competency-Based Curriculum work in rural schools. Digital & Internet Safety: Uganda Internet Governance Week 2026 pushed for an inclusive, safe, AI-ready internet—more digital skills, online safety, and smarter regulation. Forensics & Youth Training: Jinja’s National Forensic Sciences University campus is positioning Uganda as a regional hub for forensic science, cyber security and related training. Mining Workforce: Uganda’s mining growth target may be hit by a shortage of metallurgists, mining engineers and economists, with calls to train more locally. Arts & Culture: Uganda theatre mourns playwright Alex Mukulu, with government involvement now shaping plans for a possible official send-off. Community & Faith: Prison leaders in Kabale urge Christians to support rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates with guidance and hope, not just food. Learning Check: Uwezo Uganda is assessing over 20,000 children to track literacy and numeracy gaps and add life skills and values. Sports: CRDB Bank International Marathon in Tanzania saw Kenyan runners dominate key races as the country builds toward AFCON 2027.

Theatre & Culture: Uganda’s veteran playwright, actor and musician Alex Mukulu (72) has died, with government stepping in to help organise what could become an official send-off; an industry mourning ceremony is planned at the National Theatre as the family and committee finalise burial dates. Digital Life & Safety: Uganda Internet Governance Week 2026 pushed for an inclusive, safe and “AI-ready” internet, stressing that connectivity must come with digital skills, online safety and responsible AI use. Education & Learning: Uwezo Uganda is assessing over 20,000 learners across 29 districts amid literacy and numeracy worries, adding life skills and values to the tests. Church & Community Services: The Bishop of Luweero warns that threats by officials toward church-aided schools—especially around school feeding—could derail progress and says parents should follow school structures. Health & Maternal Care: MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care is boosting Maddu Health Centre IV with equipment, digital health support and community health camps focused on maternal and newborn care. Arts & Entertainment: Ritah Dancehall says she stopped dancing for Sheebah Karungi to focus on becoming a recording artist. Sports & Public Safety: Uganda football mourns SC Villa captain David Owori after a fatal robbery attack, renewing calls for stronger urban crime prevention. Music: Alicios and Congolese singer Ninita reimagine ‘Nideke’ for new audiences on streaming platforms.

Education & Skills: Uwezo Uganda is testing more than 20,000 children across 29 districts to check literacy, numeracy, and even life skills—after earlier findings showed 70% of primary learners struggle to write adequately. Digital Learning: IICO says Al-Lahib Primary School has earned global accreditation under the Canva Education program, giving teachers tools for interactive lessons and students more creative, collaborative learning. Health & Maternal Care: MTN Uganda’s Y’ello Care support is upgrading Maddu Health Centre IV with beds, equipment, digital services, and training for health workers and Village Health Teams to strengthen maternal and newborn care. Culture & Arts: Uganda mourns veteran playwright/actor/filmmaker Alex Mukulu, 72, remembered for protest theatre and works like Wounds of Africa and Excuse Me Mzungu. Media Business: Apex Media Services rebrands as Block Media Services Ltd with a new CEO, Aloysious Ssekanjako, as the company restructures. Public Safety & Sports: SC Villa captain David Owori, 27, died after an attack near his home, renewing calls for action against violent robberies. Music & Identity: Dancer Ritah Dancehall says she stopped performing as Sheebah’s queen dancer to focus on her recording career. Tech & Security: Airtel Uganda urges a national cyber resilience framework as cyberattacks threaten Uganda’s growing digital economy. Ebola Watch (Regional): UN and Africa CDC warn the DRC Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than response efforts, with deaths now surpassing 2,000.

Maternal health boost: MTN Uganda’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign has upgraded Maddu Health Centre IV in Gomba with beds, medical equipment, smartphones, and digital services, including training for staff to use an electronic medical records system and a new Zuri Health platform for referrals. Anti-corruption solidarity: Nigeria’s Labour Congress says it stands with the EFCC, linking the fight to a wider push against illicit financial flows across Africa that includes Uganda. Music & identity: Ugandan dancer Ritah Dancehall says she stopped performing as Sheebah’s queen dancer to focus on her own recording career, after Sheebah advised her to let audiences see her as a musician first. Ebola alarm: The UN warns Ebola in DR Congo is spreading faster than the response, with the outbreak described as the fastest-growing on record. Kampala clean-up push: KCCA unveils a new waste collection plan ahead of National Cleaning Day, adding private collectors and expanding capacity to curb illegal dumping. Digital safety: Airtel Uganda calls for a national cyber resilience framework as cyberattacks threaten Uganda’s growing digital economy. Transport shift: Uganda taxi leaders say electric taxis are set to debut in November after a feasibility study and a visit to China. Public order on alcohol: Uganda orders bars and Malwa joints not to open before 3pm on working days, aiming to reduce morning drinking and its social effects. LGBTQ+ rights debate: A new “Gay Week” discussion spotlights policy, pride, and repression across the region. SGBV legal awareness: A Nigerian lawyer announces a 220-hour reading marathon on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence laws across 15 African countries, including Uganda.

Conservation & Travel: World Gorilla Day is set for Sept 24, and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is being spotlighted for front-row mountain gorilla trekking, with Silverback Lodge pitching luxe, conservation-led stays near the Buhoma trailhead. Education & Culture: Kampala’s Presidential skilling centres have opened enrolment for free vocational training, while Uganda’s “Bulungi Bwansi” National Cleaning Day returns with a monthly 7am–10am community push. Youth & Skills: LINGUA Africa is funding 26 projects across 50+ African languages, including Luganda health work at Makerere, and FIBA Africa runs its first National Coach Developer Program with Uganda among participating federations. Tech & Safety: Airtel Uganda urges a national cyber resilience framework as cyberattacks rise, and KCCA unveils a new waste management plan ahead of National Cleaning Day. Policy & Daily Life: Uganda orders bars and Malwa joints not to open before 3pm on working days. Health: Africa CDC warns DRC’s Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with WHO pushing the Ervebo vaccine for trial testing.

Creative Arts & Education: Kenya’s Ruto declares creative arts a national priority under the Competency-Based Curriculum, urging music festivals to be budgeted and rewarding schools that performed at the Bungoma State Concert with Sh5m each. Alcohol & Public Order: Uganda orders bars and Malwa joints to stay closed before 3pm on working days, aiming to curb morning drinking and its links to idleness and crime. Community Cleanliness: Minister Ssebugwawo rallies Ugandans to join the reinstated Bulungi Bwansi National Cleaning Day every last Saturday, tying waste control to public health. Youth Skills in Kampala: Thousands of disadvantaged youth enroll for free vocational training at Presidential skilling centres, with the programme targeting skills for self-reliance. Higher Education Access: FAWE Uganda and Mastercard Foundation award 800+ HEAP bursaries to help students bridge into university and TVET. Cybercrime & Skills Gap: INTERPOL warns AI is powering 55% of African cybercrime, while only 8% of intelligence analysts have advanced skills to fight it. Ebola Watch: WHO highlights the urgency as DRC’s Ebola outbreak grows fast, including research into whether an existing vaccine could help against another Ebola strain. LGBTQ Rights: Coverage flags rising anti-LGBTQ laws across Africa, with Niger criminalising same-sex relationships and Uganda’s earlier harsh penalties in focus. Digital Safety: Uganda’s UCC convenes regulators and telecoms to tackle fraud, urging “security by design” in services. International Travel Friction: Taiwan warns citizens after passport disputes and entry issues involving Uganda’s “One China” enforcement. Justice & Security: Two men are sentenced to death over the murder of Ndiga clan leader Eng Kakeedo Bbosa Lugya.

Uganda–Taiwan Tensions: Ugandan immigration officers reportedly withheld Taiwanese passports at Entebbe, demanding Chinese passports under the “One China” policy, prompting Taiwan to warn citizens and seek clarification. Justice & Security: A Kampala court sentenced two men to death over the murder of Ndiga clan leader Eng Kakeedo Bbosa Lugya, while another case saw two Muslims sentenced to death and others jailed for the 2018 abduction and killing of Susan Magara, linked to alleged armed-group financing. Education & Youth Skills: FAWE Uganda and Mastercard Foundation awarded 800+ HEAP bursaries to help students access higher education, and Equity Group Foundation’s Wings to Fly/Elimu equipped 4,949 scholars with leadership and life skills. Health & Tech for Resilience: WHO warns Ebola in DRC could become the deadliest on record as cases rise; meanwhile, EAC and Germany launched an AI4EAC challenge with an Ebola response track. Digital Safety: Uganda’s UCC convened regulators and telecoms to tackle fraud, urging “security by design” as AI-powered scams grow. Agriculture & Livelihoods: NAGRC&DB plans to double efforts to improve livestock genetics for farmers, including disease-resistant breeds. Culture & Community: East Africa’s cross-border music wave keeps growing as Spotify highlights Bien’s collaborations featuring Uganda’s Joshua Baraka.