AGP Executive Report

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.

Forest & Land Use: Residents in Maruzi Central Forest Reserve (Apac) say commercial charcoal cutting is destroying the 6,118-hectare reserve, with locals barred while outsiders cut indiscriminately. Coffee & Compliance: Coffee farmers in Greater Masaka report slow, unclear registration under EU deforestation rules, warning unregistered farmers may lose EU market access. Renewables for Resilience: In Mityana, a solar-powered irrigation system is helping farmers keep crops going through dry spells and reduce labour. Mining Finance: Equity Bank says it will expand financial inclusion for artisanal and small-scale miners, backing safer, more productive practices at the Mineral Wealth Conference. Media Regulation: Uganda’s UCC distances itself from Kampala Wi-Fi hotspot arrests, saying police acted on complaints about unlicensed public internet reselling. Education & Oversight: Government orders international schools offering dual curricula to get separate licences or meet full standards for each pathway. Patriotism Training: All Senior Six leavers will undergo six months of mandatory patriotism training at NALI, Kyankwanzi. Wildlife Justice: Uganda’s UN-supported wildlife forensics lab is credited with turning ivory seizures into convictions.

Uganda’s Green Transition: The Minister of Water and Environment, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, urged researchers to turn climate research into practical solutions as Kyambogo University launched a Climate Finance Catalyst Hub to mobilise green investment and back young people and women. Wildlife Justice: Uganda’s UN-supported wildlife forensics lab is turning ivory seizures into convictions, strengthening enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. Urban Safety & Accountability: Kampala’s KCCA was ordered to pay about Shs123.9m after a street vendor drowned in the Nakivubo channel in 2017, with the court citing negligence over safety around open drainage during enforcement. Security on the Ground: Police deployed the flying squad in Kazo District after a spate of killings, adding manpower and coordination to curb violent crime and theft. Clean Energy & Oil Reality Check: Uganda’s oil push is moving from promise to pipeline—Pearl Sweet crude is named and first commercial production is now expected in early 2027, with heated pipelines linking Hoima to Tanzania’s coast. Coffee Trade: Uganda was admitted to the Swiss Coffee Trade Association to boost access to international markets, traceability and sustainability. Health & Environment: New global research links infection-causing agents to a significant share of cancers, while a separate review highlights cadmium’s harm to male fertility.

Water & Environment: MPs say Uganda’s digital number plate tracking system can track and recover stolen vehicles, but they want practical tests beyond demonstrations. Climate Action & Research-to-Policy: Water and Environment Minister Kahinda Otafiire urged researchers to turn climate finance research into practical green transition solutions via a Kyambogo University hub. Green Jobs & Youth: More than 50 SMEs completed green jobs bootcamps to strengthen Uganda’s green and circular economy, targeting areas like renewable energy, sustainable farming, waste management and eco-tourism. Rural Water Last-Mile Gap: Despite improved national safe-water access, lawmakers warn thousands of villages still lack improved sources, pushing public health and livelihoods risks. Wildlife Crime Enforcement: Uganda’s UN-supported wildlife forensics lab used DNA testing to help convict an ivory trafficker, highlighting how forensics can identify wildlife products even when traffickers remove features. Food Waste & Climate: A global report reiterates that rotting food in landfills drives methane emissions, making waste reduction a climate priority. Malaria Prevention: Children Voices Against Malaria plans a schools festival to boost malaria awareness and prevention ahead of rising transmission in parts of Uganda. Agriculture Finance Access: Rural farmers still struggle to access the Agricultural Credit Facility, with awareness and rural reach flagged as key bottlenecks. Shared Rivers Diplomacy: Egypt called for African cooperation on shared rivers and rejected foreign interference, framing water management as a test of regional integration.

Wildlife Crime & Justice: Uganda’s UN-supported wildlife forensics lab in Entebbe is turning ivory seizures into convictions, using DNA and lab testing to identify elephant products even after traffickers cut or strip identifying features. Water Access (Last Mile): Uganda’s safe-water coverage rose to 73.6%, but MPs warn over 12,000 villages and cells still lack improved sources—fueling health, education and drought resilience problems. Climate Finance Gap: A review of Uganda’s climate spending shows only $1.3bn paid out of $5.7bn promised since 2022, raising fears that adaptation and restoration plans may stall. Forest Restoration in Schools: Equity Bank launches an “Equity Green Schools Programme” to plant and nurture 200,000 trees in schools by 2027, starting with 50,000 trees across 25 schools. Malaria Prevention for Children: Children Voices Against Malaria Uganda plans a Bye Bye Malaria Schools Festival to push prevention and access to care as transmission rises with changing weather. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Police in Kanungu arrest six suspects over illegal gold mining along riverbanks, citing severe ecological damage. Earthquake Preparedness: Government screens about 5,000 Kampala buildings for seismic vulnerability, expanding the audit to the wider Greater Kampala area.

Wildlife crime justice: Uganda’s UN-supported wildlife forensics lab in Entebbe is turning ivory seizures into convictions, using DNA and lab testing to identify elephant ivory even after traffickers cut or remove identifying features. Safe water last-mile gap: Uganda’s water sector shows progress, but MPs warn that over 12,000 villages and cells still lack improved safe water, pushing health and livelihoods back—despite reported gains in national access and infrastructure rehabilitation. Malaria prevention for children: Children Voices Against Malaria Uganda (CVAMU) will hold a Bye Bye Malaria Schools Festival on Nov 20 in Kampala, mobilising schools and learners to boost prevention and access to care amid rising transmission in parts of the country. Earthquake preparedness: Government has screened about 5,000 buildings in Kampala for seismic vulnerability, with the next phase set for the wider Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. Illegal mining crackdown: Police in Kanungu arrested six suspects over illegal gold mining along riverbanks, citing severe ecological damage and lack of permits. Urban enforcement liability: High Court orders KCCA to pay damages to a street vendor’s family after she drowned in the Nakivubo channel during an enforcement incident. Forests in schools: Equity Bank launches an Equity Green Schools Programme to plant and nurture 200,000 trees in schools by 2027, starting with early plantings in Mukono.

Earthquake preparedness: Uganda has screened over 5,000 buildings in Kampala for seismic safety under a Rapid Visual Screening programme, with the next phase set to cover Kira, Wakiso, Entebbe, Makindye Ssaabagabo, Mukono and Mpigi as the country moves to enforce earthquake-resistant standards. Deforestation fight in schools: Equity Bank is enrolling students in an “Equity Green Schools Programme,” targeting 200,000 trees planted and nurtured in schools by 2027, starting with 50,000 trees across 25 schools in 10 districts this year. Conservation co-management: Uganda Wildlife Authority and Wildlife Conservation Society signed a 10-year deal to co-manage the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with WCS supporting biodiversity and tourism enterprise development while UWA keeps law enforcement. Illegal mining crackdown: Police in Kanungu arrested six suspects over illegal gold mining along riverbanks, citing severe ecological damage and lack of required permits. Water access support: NCBA Bank Uganda handed over 50 household water filters to vulnerable families at Kasenyi Landing Site, aiming to improve safe drinking water and reduce reliance on firewood/charcoal. Safeguards for projects: AfDB and OPEC Fund strengthened environmental and social safeguards through a Vienna workshop that included Uganda, focusing on biodiversity, resettlement, and community protections. Food security for Karamoja: Korea donated 6,638 metric tons of rice to WFP for school feeding in Karamoja, supporting over 200,000 learners amid severe drought impacts.

Court & Safety: Kampala High Court ordered KCCA to pay about Shs124.9m to the family of street vendor Olive Basemera, who drowned in the Nakivubo channel in 2017 after enforcement officers pursued her—though the court cut damages by 30% for contributory negligence. Conservation & Wildlife: UWA and WCS signed a 10-year deal to co-manage Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector, with WCS handling day-to-day biodiversity and tourism enterprise roles while UWA keeps law enforcement. Water & Health: WFP and Uganda received 6,638 metric tons of Korean rice worth Shs22.5b for Karamoja school feeding, as drought worsens food insecurity. Nutrition Focus: Activists at a Sports for Health event urged Uganda to expand nutrition programmes beyond under-fives to adolescents, warning older youth are being left behind. Tourism Economy: Finance Minister Henry Musasizi set a target of $5b in tourism receipts by 2030, noting receipts rose to Sh5.83tn in 2025 but earnings must more than triple to hit the goal. Governance & Tech: Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure committee visited police systems to test the Digital Number Plate tracking after earlier doubts, with police citing a 90% recovery rate for stolen vehicles.

Lamu Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote has dismissed Kenya’s refinery protests as “games” and says the $16bn Lamu project will be ready by 2030, with a 700,000-barrel-a-day capacity; he also offered East African governments a combined 30% stake, drawing interest from Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, while Uganda’s Museveni attended the groundbreaking. Regional Energy Planning: Tanzania and Uganda have advanced refined fuel infrastructure plans at Chongoleani, handing the site to a consultant for feasibility studies including environmental assessments—aimed at boosting fuel security and making Tanga a regional energy hub. Uganda Water Losses: Uganda’s water utilities are losing up to Shs6bn from non-revenue water, with substandard meters blamed; regulators plan to make water-meter standards mandatory to improve billing accuracy. Gorilla Conservation Update: Uganda’s mountain gorilla population is reportedly growing, with preliminary census data pointing upward, though threats like disease, insecurity and climate change remain. Agritech Funding: Young Ugandan innovators received Shs205m to scale climate-smart and agribusiness solutions, as the AYuTe Africa Challenge expands. Tourism Tech Shift: Uganda’s tourism sector is leaning into AI and digital tools to improve marketing, visitor experience and data-driven planning.

Gorilla Conservation Update: Uganda’s mountain gorilla numbers are reportedly rising, with preliminary census data suggesting growth in the population, while officials warn threats still include disease, insecurity and climate change. Regional Pest Control: Eastern Africa is stepping up joint efforts against migratory pests, with Uganda hosting talks on early warning, surveillance and rapid response to protect crops and food security. Forest Restoration Push: Government is promoting Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, targeting restoration potential across about 8.4 million hectares, as Uganda grapples with major forest loss since 1990. Tourism Tech Shift: Uganda is turning to AI and digital tools to boost destination marketing, visitor experiences and data-driven decisions as it seeks more competitive, sustainable tourism growth. Energy & Environment Tension: The $16bn Dangote East Africa refinery in Lamu is moving ahead amid land disputes and environmental concerns, with Uganda’s leaders attending and the project framed as a fuel-security and industrialisation boost. Waste & Public Health: Namanve Industrial Park is facing a basic services gap, with reports of no public toilets inside the industrial hub raising sanitation and planning concerns.