AGP Executive Report

Flood Risk: A mother and daughter were rescued after floodwaters swept their boda boda into River Mayanja, a stark warning against crossing swollen rivers during heavy rains. Solar Irrigation: Cabinet plans to boost lithium mining and local battery production to lower the cost of solar water pumps. But farmers’ access to water, affordability and delivery of public programmes remain major hurdles. Climate Finance: Rural women are already adapting to changing weather, but limited land rights and delays in accessing public funds restrict their ability to invest in resilience, an opinion piece argues. Forest Protection: Charcoal trading continues in West Nile despite a ban, with dealers reportedly using concealed routes; police say they are renewing enforcement efforts. Disaster Preparedness: A global study found Uganda among countries contributing to Africa’s rapid gains in disaster resilience, while warning that better preparedness does not always mean vulnerable people receive timely alerts.

Solar irrigation: With erratic rains putting smallholders’ harvests at risk, solar pumps could help farmers manage water—but affordability, reliable water access and delivery of public programmes will determine who benefits. ACODE is urging dedicated budget funding for solar energy in agriculture. Agroecology trade: A Busia dialogue is seeking to ease Kenya–Uganda border barriers and improve markets for agroecological produce, including maize, sorghum and beans. Charcoal enforcement: Police say operations in Amuru and Pakwach seized 275 bags and led to two arrests, warning that the northern Uganda charcoal ban applies even to small loads. Flood risks: Heavy rain flooded the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi wetland, while the collapse of River Mucha bridge cut off access to Bwindi. Climate finance: Uganda is turning to private capital to help meet a reported US$28.1 billion climate-finance need; in the Rwenzori region, carbon finance is also being used to support smallholder farmers.

Charcoal Crackdown: Police seized 275 bags in Amuru and Pakwach and arrested two people, warning that even a single bag can lead to enforcement. Climate Finance: In Kasese, farmer Evelyne Masika says carbon payments from planting trees have helped her buy livestock and pay school fees; Uganda is also looking to private capital to meet its $28.1 billion climate-finance need. Floods and Wetlands: Heavy rain flooded the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi wetland, underscoring the risks facing roads and communities during downpours. Community Action: Youth groups are turning plastic waste into projects to protect wildlife, while Uganda is promoting locally led climate action in 12 districts. Water Protection: Calls are growing for joint action on Lake Victoria pollution and continued protection of River Mpanga.

Floods and Wetlands: Heavy rain flooded the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi, stranding commuters and renewing calls for better drainage and stronger protection of the wetland from encroachment. Plastic and Wildlife: Young people and communities are collecting plastic waste for recycling, helping tackle pollution that can injure or kill wildlife. Rwenzori Restoration: A community tree-growing programme now involves more than 31,000 smallholder farmers across four districts, linking forest restoration with carbon income and improved livelihoods. Climate Finance: Uganda is turning to private capital to help meet its estimated $28.1 billion climate-finance need, while locally led climate action is being promoted across 12 districts. Water Protection: Uganda will host the International Water Association’s 2027 Water and Development Congress, as calls also grow for joint action on Lake Victoria pollution and protection of River Mpanga. Mineral Oversight: A new extractive-sector report flags major inconsistencies in Uganda’s mineral export figures, raising questions about how the country tracks valuable natural resources.

Wetland Flooding: Heavy rain inundated the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi, stranding commuters and exposing road hazards. Wakiso leaders called for a drainage plan and action against illegal wetland structures. Water and Sanitation: Uganda will host the International Water Association’s 2027 Water and Development Congress, bringing more than 3,000 delegates to discuss water and sanitation challenges. Climate Finance: Uganda needs an estimated $28.1 billion by 2030 for climate action and is looking to private investment and carbon markets to help fund the response. Wildlife Research: New attention on Kibale’s Ngogo chimpanzees highlights the importance of protecting the forest habitat where researchers have studied one of the world’s largest known chimp groups. Local Climate Action: Uganda is promoting locally led climate initiatives across 12 districts, while Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist.

Bwindi Access: The collapse of River Mucha Bridge in Kisoro has cut direct access to Bwindi’s Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla-tracking sectors. A diversion is in place as engineers begin emergency work. Climate Finance: Uganda needs $28.1 billion by 2030 to tackle climate change and is looking to private investment and carbon markets to help close the gap. Conservation: Calls to curb Lake Victoria pollution and protect River Mpanga join concerns over tree cutting in Maruzi Forest; illegal fishing gear importers face hefty fines and possible jail time. Uganda is also advancing locally led climate action in 12 districts, while air-quality monitor AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist.

Climate Finance: Uganda needs at least $28.1 billion by 2030 to tackle climate change, prompting policymakers to look to private investment and carbon markets to fund action and support local livelihoods. Bwindi Access: The collapse of River Mucha Bridge has cut the direct route from Kisoro to Bwindi’s Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors; a rough-road diversion adds 30–45 minutes while engineers work on repairs. Local Conservation: Uganda is promoting locally led climate action across 12 districts, while calls for joint efforts to tackle Lake Victoria pollution and protect River Mpanga underline growing concern for the country’s waterways. Wildlife and Parks: Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist, and 1,423 Mount Elgon families are set to receive relocation payments—spotlighting both conservation innovation and the human costs of living near protected areas.

Climate Action: Uganda is promoting locally led climate work in 12 districts, while MPs have been urged to turn climate commitments into practical measures. Regional warnings of a strong El Niño make preparedness more urgent. Mt Elgon Communities: Farmers near the national park say crops have been destroyed amid a long-running boundary dispute with Uganda Wildlife Authority, highlighting the cost of unresolved tensions between conservation and livelihoods. Invasive Species: Ugandan researchers have developed a way to breed beetles that feed on congress weed, an invasive plant damaging crops including bananas, cassava and maize. Clean Air: Kampala air-quality monitor AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist, bringing international attention to its work tracking pollution. River Protection: Tooro’s king has called for continued protection of River Mpanga, as calls also grow for joint action on pollution in Lake Victoria.

Wildlife and Communities: Farmers near Mt Elgon National Park say crops have been destroyed amid unresolved boundary disputes with Uganda Wildlife Authority, deepening tensions over how communities and conservation can coexist. Invasive Species: Ugandan researchers are breeding beetles to control congress weed, which attacks crops and can produce up to 15,000 seeds per plant. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding of more than £2 million will support 10 clean-energy projects across eight African countries, including Uganda, to expand reliable power and replace diesel generators. Climate Action: Uganda is promoting locally led climate work across 12 districts, while calls are growing for joint efforts to tackle pollution in Lake Victoria. Air Quality: Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its work monitoring air pollution.

Climate-Resilient Farming: A study warns counterfeit seeds can leave African farmers with failed crops and lost income, while undermining access to drought-tolerant varieties. Fisheries: Uganda is preparing tougher rules on illegal fishing gear, including fines of up to Shs200 million and prison terms of up to seven years for importers. Weather Readiness: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa questioned the accuracy of Uganda’s forecasts and urged greater investment in meteorological services as reliable warnings become vital for planning. Local Climate Action: Uganda is promoting locally led climate work in 12 districts; regional partners say adaptation is strongest when communities have the resources and authority to act. Lake Victoria: Calls have been made for joint efforts to tackle pollution. Wildlife Protection: Uganda’s wildlife forensics lab is using ivory seizures to help secure convictions, while Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist.

Climate Preparedness: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged Parliament to increase funding for Uganda’s meteorological services, saying reliable forecasts are vital for disaster planning. The call comes as warnings grow about a strong El Niño and its risks to food and water systems. Locally Led Adaptation: Uganda says community climate-resilience programmes are expanding across 12 districts, with regional partners meeting in Kampala to strengthen locally driven action. Water and Sanitation: Tooro Kingdom is working with civil society groups to promote sanitation, protect water sources and respond to climate change, including around River Mpanga, wetlands and crater lakes. Pollution and Clean Air: Calls are growing for joint action on Lake Victoria pollution, while Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its air-quality work. Forests and Wildlife: Schools have joined a 200,000-tree drive against deforestation; Uganda’s wildlife forensics lab is helping turn ivory seizures into convictions, and an NGO will co-manage part of a national park home to tree-climbing lions.

Climate Action: Uganda is scaling community-led climate resilience programmes across 12 districts, with regional partners meeting in Kampala to share locally driven adaptation approaches. Water and Sanitation: Tooro Kingdom is joining civil society groups to promote hygiene, protect water sources and respond to climate change as falling WASH funding threatens progress. Lake Victoria: Stakeholders are calling for coordinated action on pollution, warning that waste from homes and businesses can flow through tributaries into the lake. Conservation Science: Ugandan microbiologist John Paul Makumbi has won a $150,000 research grant to develop early-warning tools for freshwater decline, including in the Lake Victoria basin. Farm Resilience: Uganda’s goal of irrigating 1.5 million hectares by 2040 faces funding and coordination hurdles, while experts say solar-powered irrigation could help farmers adapt to unreliable rainfall.

Lake Victoria: Stakeholders are calling for joint action by governments, communities and businesses to curb pollution flowing into the lake from rivers and tributaries. Climate Action: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged MPs to fund prevention and resilience, not just disaster relief, and questioned the reliability of Uganda’s weather forecasts, calling for better meteorological equipment. Landslide Safety: Cabinet approved Shs18 million each for 1,423 Mount Elgon households in high-risk areas to relocate to safer land. Clean Air: Makerere’s AirQo has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist, highlighting Uganda’s work on air quality. Wildlife Protection: Uganda’s wildlife forensics lab is helping turn ivory seizures into convictions, while a new partnership will support conservation in a national park home to tree-climbing lions.

Climate Action Push: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa told MPs to stop treating climate change as speeches and instead use Parliament’s powers to fund prevention and protect communities from recurring disasters. Disaster Risk Relief: Cabinet approved Shs18m each for 1,423 Mount Elgon households in very high landslide-risk areas, with support for land purchase and house construction. Refugee Education Crisis: Over 200,000 refugee learners in Uganda face failing exams after donor cuts left refugee schools short of teachers and pay. Clean Air Spotlight: Makerere’s AirQo was named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for tackling air pollution with low-cost monitoring and open data. Oil Oversight: MPs carried out field visits to EACOP and Uganda’s petroleum projects ahead of first oil, assessing readiness and value for money. Tourism Under Threat: Police arrested a man accused of an online tourism scam targeting foreigners with fake car hire, gorilla permits and safari packages. Tourism Recovery: Uganda’s tourism hit new highs in 2025 with 1.64m international visitors and US$1.62b receipts, though wildlife and leisure targets lagged. Commonwealth Visit: Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey begins a 7–9 October visit to Uganda ahead of CHOGM, focusing on resilience, sustainable development and governance support.

Climate Governance: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged MPs to move from speeches to action, pushing Parliament to prevent climate-related disasters and strengthen resilience as Uganda faces recurring flooding and worsening environmental pressures. Food Waste & Methane: A new UN-backed push highlights how rotting food waste drives methane emissions—up to 10% of global greenhouse gases—calling for composting, better waste systems, and circular solutions. Waste & Deforestation: Tayebwa also flagged poor waste management and rampant tree cutting, warning illegal dumping is harming public health and Uganda’s natural beauty. Ebola Watch: Coverage from the DRC stresses the outbreak’s rapid spread and the strain on response systems, with concerns about readiness for the next pandemic. Refugee Education: Uganda faces a looming education crisis, with over 200,000 refugee pupils at risk of failing to complete the school year due to teacher shortages linked to donor cuts. Tourism Fraud Crackdown: Police arrested a suspect behind an online scam targeting foreign tourists with fake car-hire and tour services, including gorilla permits and safari packages. Fuel Quality: UNBS reports Eastern Uganda has the highest rate of adulterated fuel sales, raising risks for vehicles and local businesses.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: A new study warns hooded vultures are nearing extinction in Chad, with poisoning and illegal hunting driving declines—an urgent reminder for safer waste and wildlife protection across the region. Climate & Waste: UNEP says rotting food waste can emit up to 10% of global greenhouse gases, far worse than aviation—pushing the need for better food handling, composting and landfill reduction. Education Regulation: Uganda’s Ministry of Education orders international schools to pick one licensing path or meet full standards for both curricula separately, targeting “fake” international schools. Agriculture & Coffee Compliance: Coffee farmers face slow registration under EU deforestation rules (EUDR), risking market access if plot-level proof and due diligence aren’t ready by the next deadline. Energy & Mining Finance: Equity Bank doubles down on artisanal and small-scale miners, backing safer practices and equipment access. Security & Governance: Uganda hosts the first African Chiefs of Defence conference on “operations other than war,” stressing responses to cyber threats, terrorism, health emergencies and climate-related crises.