AGP Executive Report

Ebola Update (DRC): WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths, spreading across six provinces and 54 health zones, with 579 cases and 304 deaths reported in the latest week—raising fears it could become the deadliest on record. Uganda Travel & Health: Israel reported a suspected case after a return from the DRC, while Uganda’s health guidance urges anyone returning from DRC/Uganda to self-isolate and call the hotline if symptoms appear within 21 days. Digital Health in Uganda: Nakaseke’s St. Francis Kijaguzo HC III is improving record-keeping and reporting after moving from paper registers to digital systems, supported by faith-led health informatics training and equipment. Tourism Safety (Gorillas): A World Gorilla Day push highlights Bwindi’s gorilla trekking experiences, with conservation-focused lodge access near Buhoma trailheads. Road Safety: A truck overturn on the Mubende–Mityana road killed two and injured four children, with police citing suspected careless driving. Local Culture: Ritah Dancehall says she stopped dancing for Sheebah Karungi to focus on her music career.

Ebola & Travel Safety: The WHO says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is moving faster than any previous outbreak and is on track to become the deadliest on record, with the virus now spreading to a sixth province and fears it could spill beyond the region, including toward Uganda. Uganda Link: Reports note cases already detected in neighbouring Uganda, while UN officials warn the epidemic is outrunning the response and call for faster testing, tracing, isolation, and scaled-up burials and treatment. Cross-Border Disruption: Canada has tightened entry rules for people who recently visited the DRC, leaving some students stranded and scrambling travel plans. Tourism Angle: With Ebola fears rising, travel advisories and border checks are likely to intensify for regional travellers, affecting movement for both business and leisure. Regional Mobility: Separate coverage highlights how Africans mostly migrate within the continent for work, underscoring how health shocks and travel restrictions can quickly disrupt livelihoods. Culture & Tourism: Ugandan music star Jose Chameleone attended Tanzania’s Kizimkazi Festival in Zanzibar, where organizers are using culture to drive tourism and investment.

Ebola & Travel Safety: The UN warns Ebola in DR Congo is spreading faster than the international response, with the outbreak already deadlier than expected and now reaching a sixth province—raising fears it could spill toward South Sudan and disrupt regional movement. Ebola on the Ground: A report from Mongbwalu shows how the Bundibugyo strain is reshaping daily life in a gold-mining town, as communities push on with containment efforts despite no approved vaccine or treatment. Uganda Tourism Impact: Taiwan has urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda after entry problems, including passports being seized and demands for Chinese passports under Uganda’s “one China” policy—an issue that could affect cross-border visitors and business travel. Uganda Development Finance: Government has approved more capital for the Uganda Development Bank, allowing it to retain 3bn shillings from profit to boost lending capacity and support jobs across sectors including tourism and infrastructure. Gorilla Trekking Spotlight: A conservation-focused mountain lodge in Bwindi is promoted as a front-row base for gorilla trekking ahead of World Gorilla Day on Sept 24. Culture & Music: Ugandan dancer Ritah Dancehall explains why she stopped dancing for Sheebah to focus on her recording career.

Ebola Response: The UN warns DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than aid, with over 2,000 deaths and a “fastest-growing” pace that could make it the deadliest on record, as more staff and funds are pushed to the frontlines. Public Health & Travel: WHO and Africa CDC say the outbreak is outrunning containment, with cases now reported in a sixth province—raising fresh concerns for regional movement and traveler safety. Uganda Entry Tensions: Taiwan has urged citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda after Entebbe entry issues, including passports seized and demands for Chinese passports under Uganda’s “one China” policy. Tourism Safety Reminder: A safari-focused report highlights how wildlife rules are being enforced—don’t exit vehicles, keep voices low, and let animals stay calm for both visitor and animal safety. Development Finance: Uganda Development Bank gets more government capital to boost lending capacity, with officials citing job creation and support for sectors including tourism and infrastructure. Gorilla Tourism Spotlight: Silverback Lodge in Bwindi is promoted as a conservation-focused base for mountain gorilla trekking ahead of World Gorilla Day on Sept 24.

Ebola & Travel Safety: Africa CDC says the Central Africa Ebola outbreak has hit nearly 4,000 confirmed cases with about 1,800 deaths, and it’s spreading fast across the DRC, now reaching a sixth province—a warning for Uganda’s border-linked travel and tourism planning. Public Health Response: Churches and community leaders in eastern DRC are being trained to spot symptoms, push hygiene, and guide people to care early, while WHO warns containment teams are “chasing” the virus. Vaccine Push: Moderna has started the first human trial of an mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain driving the outbreak, where there’s currently no approved vaccine. Uganda Entry Friction: Taiwan is urging citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda after passport seizures and demands for Chinese passports tied to Uganda’s “one-China” policy—an issue that can disrupt business travel and visitor confidence. Tourism Finance: Uganda Development Bank gets a capital boost, with government authorizing it to retain UGX 63bn from 2025 profits—aimed at expanding “cheap credit” that could support sectors including tourism.

Ebola Cross-Border Alarm: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged into a sixth province, with deaths now above 2,100 and cases over 4,500, raising fresh fears of spillover toward South Sudan and renewed risks for travellers and aid operations across the region. Vaccine Race: Moderna has started the first human trial of an mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain driving Congo’s outbreak, as WHO warns the virus is moving faster than containment. Uganda Entry Friction: Taiwan has urged citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda after reports of Taiwanese passports being seized at Entebbe and officials demanding Chinese passports under Uganda’s “One China” policy. Tourism Finance Boost: Equity Bank Uganda backed Microhaem Scientifics with a $50m push to expand local diagnostic production, a move that could strengthen health systems that underpin safer tourism. UDB Capital Upgrade: Government authorized UDB to retain UGX 63bn from 2025 profits and raise its capital base to support cheaper credit for sectors including tourism.

Ebola Update (DRC): Ebola has now spread to six provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases linked to earlier spread possibly starting as far back as February; the death toll is reported above 2,000 and WHO warns the outbreak could become the deadliest on record if control fails. Travel & Border Impact: The U.S. has tightened entry rules for travelers coming from DRC, and CDC guidance calls for stricter monitoring for people arriving from DRC airports—an issue that can quickly affect regional travel plans. Uganda Finance for Tourism & Industry: Uganda has authorized the Uganda Development Bank to retain UGX 63bn from its 2025 profit and raised its capital base, aiming for cheaper credit that could support sectors including tourism and agro-industrialization. Uganda–Taiwan Passport Dispute: Ugandan immigration officers withheld Taiwanese passports at Entebbe and demanded Chinese passports under the One China principle, though entry was eventually allowed. Tourism & Health Tech Boost: Equity Bank’s $50m support to Microhaem Scientifics is set to expand local diagnostic production, reducing reliance on imported medical tests. Digital Transformation: Government plans to integrate over 700 ICT systems into a unified setup, a move that could improve service delivery for travelers and investors.

Digital Transformation: Uganda plans to integrate over 700 separate ICT systems into one unified national management setup, cutting duplication and moving services from partial to full automation. Ebola & Travel Safety: The U.S. has issued Level 4 guidance urging Americans to avoid all travel to parts of DR Congo as cases and deaths surge past 4,000, with CDC monitoring rules for travelers from affected countries. Ebola Vaccine Shift: WHO reporting says it has reversed earlier Ervebo guidance, opening the door to using the licensed Ebola vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain in trials. Tourism & Mobility: Uganda’s tourism angle gets a boost from coffee tourism momentum—Inspire Africa Coffee in Ntungamo is expanding processing and launching new products aimed at attracting visitors. Road Safety: Kampala–Masaka highway enforcement arrested 11 commuter taxi drivers for dangerous loading after deadly crashes, warning that night “dodge” tactics will be prosecuted. Ugandan in India: A Ugandan woman was deported from Hyderabad for overstaying and alleged links to drug peddlers. Policy & Diplomacy: Ambassador Adonia Ayebare formally took over as Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, with consular services and investor relations among priorities.

Ebola Crisis & Travel Warnings: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 2,000 deaths and 4,400 cases, with WHO saying the virus started months earlier than the official declaration and that response efforts are “chasing” it. The US has escalated travel advisories to avoid all travel to the worst-hit provinces and tightened entry rules for anyone recently in the DRC. Regional Health Funding: The US also announced an extra Ksh31bn (USD242m) for immediate Ebola response and preparedness across DRC and Uganda, including screening, treatment support, labs, and community engagement. Tourism & Community Spotlight: Uganda Development Bank backed the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon with UGX 20m, pitching the event as a boost for experiential tourism in Kasese on Aug 22. Coffee Tourism Push: Inspire Africa Coffee in Ntungamo is expanding processing and product development, aiming to position Africa Coffee Park as a coffee tourism destination. Uganda Travel Disruption Watch: Ugandans report NIRA ID collection chaos—long queues, confusing collection points, and even systems that can’t read new cards—adding friction for travel and services. Cross-border Migration Deal: Reports say several EU countries are finalising plans for a repatriation centre in Uganda for irregular migrants, with talks due in Copenhagen in September.

Ebola & Travel Alerts: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,449 confirmed cases with 2,061 deaths, with the US upgrading warnings to the highest level—Americans are urged to avoid all travel to Ituri and Nord-Kivu and face new entry restrictions tied to recent visits. Peace Process & Cross-Border Movement: Under the Doha peace process, DRC and M23 began releasing 15 detainees, with the ICRC saying the convoy traveled through Uganda before handover in North Kivu—an early test of whether the truce can hold. Tourism & Events: Uganda Development Bank pledged UGX 20m to sponsor the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese on Aug 22, backing experiential tourism and local culture. Uganda Travel Tech Headache: Ugandans report NIRA ID collection chaos and system glitches—new cards reportedly can’t be read by some project platforms, adding friction for travel and services. Youth Travel Demand: Intrepid expands tours for ages 18–35 with more locally led, responsible experiences.

Tourism & Sports: Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has sponsored the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon with UGX 20m, backing the Aug 22 race in Kasese and pledging staff participation as part of its push to grow Uganda’s tourism through cultural, heritage and culinary experiences. Public Health & Travel: Ebola in DR Congo keeps worsening, with confirmed cases now at 4,381 and deaths at 2,011; WHO says the outbreak likely began in February, and that responders are “chasing” a virus that is ahead of them—while the US tightens travel curbs for people arriving from DR Congo. Regional Travel Rules: The US also shifted routine visa processing for South Sudan to the US Embassy in Kampala (nonimmigrant applicants must travel to Uganda for appointments), a move that could affect cross-border travel planning. Road Safety for Travelers: Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport has tightened bus driver rules to curb fatigue—drivers on long routes over 300km must be replaced for the return journey, and shorter routes allow only one round trip per day. Local Travel Disruption: Drivers on the Yei–Juba and Yei–Kaya routes complain of too many checkpoints, multiple payments and poor road conditions, saying costs are squeezing their livelihoods. Conservation Tourism: A Czech Republic delegation named a newborn mountain gorilla “Tomáš” during a Bwindi trek, highlighting continued interest in Uganda’s gorilla tourism.

Ebola & Travel Rules: The US has tightened Ebola travel restrictions, blocking US-bound commercial flights for anyone who was in DR Congo within 21 days, while travelers from Uganda and South Sudan can still enter but must route through four CDC-screening airports (Dulles, Atlanta, Houston, JFK). Public Transport Safety: Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport has introduced tougher bus driver rules to curb fatigue, including replacing drivers on long-distance routes over 300km and limiting return-trip driving for shorter routes. Ebola Outbreak Update: WHO says eastern DR Congo’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak began in February—months before the May declaration—pushing confirmed cases to about 4,200 and deaths to over 1,900, with responders warning the virus is “ahead of us.” Tourism & Hospitality Perks: Ecobank Uganda partnered with Serena Hotels to offer cardholders discounts and added privileges across Serena properties in multiple countries, including Uganda. Uganda UN Bid: Uganda-backed diplomat Olara Otunnu is in New York pursuing the next UN secretary-general role, but his travel plans were affected by US Ebola-related entry curbs. Gorilla Tourism: A Czech Republic speaker named a newborn mountain gorilla “Tomáš” during a Bwindi gorilla-tracking visit, highlighting conservation and tourism ties.

Uganda Airlines expands regional links: Uganda travellers welcomed news that Uganda Airlines will start daily flights to Kigali from Nov. 18 and add Accra from Oct. 27, ending RwandAir’s monopoly on the Entebbe–Kigali route and cutting transit hassles for Ghana-bound passengers. Ebola travel tightening hits the region: The US has tightened Ebola-related travel rules for people arriving from DR Congo, while Canada and other countries have also introduced entry or screening measures—raising fresh caution for cross-border movement. Ebola response under pressure in DR Congo: WHO says the fast-moving outbreak likely began months before it was declared, with cases and deaths rising fast and responders struggling with contact follow-up and access challenges. Tourism & hospitality perks: Ecobank Uganda partnered with Serena Hotels to offer cardholders discounts and benefits across Serena properties in Uganda and beyond, including accommodation, spa, dining and transfers. Safety on the road for schoolchildren: Uganda’s transport and education agencies met in Kampala to push stronger school bus safety, inspections and enforcement after a deadly crash in Kapchorwa. Digital trade/tax updates for businesses: URA expanded EFRIS guidance, giving small businesses in targeted sectors room to operate without mandatory e-invoices/e-receipts if turnover is below Shs10m. Cross-border cash case: A Congolese cashier linked to MK-Cash Point in Kampala was committed to court over alleged undeclared $1.6m cash at the Kasese border—an issue that can affect travel and remittance flows.

UN Diplomacy: Uganda’s UN Secretary-General hopeful Amb. Olara Otunnu finally heads to New York for meetings with delegations after a long wait, with plans for General Assembly and Security Council engagements. Lake Victoria & Oil: New research warns Uganda’s oil projects, including EACOP and feeder pipelines, are degrading wetlands in the Lake Victoria catchment—raising risks for shared ecosystems and livelihoods. Ebola Update: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is outpacing the response, with deaths nearing the 2,000 mark and contact tracing struggling to keep up. Peace & Travel Routes: Qatar-mediated efforts see 15 detainees released from DRC and transported through Uganda to Rutshuru for handover to M23, via ICRC logistics. Tourism & Aviation: Uganda tourism players urge the government to consider suspending Emirates flights to Entebbe over UAE restrictions still affecting Ugandan travellers, even after Uganda was declared Ebola-free. Travel Disruptions: Taiwan says it is negotiating with Uganda after reports of Taiwanese nationals being denied entry or having passports withheld at Entebbe amid Ebola-related entry rules. Infrastructure & Environment: EACOP construction hits 91% completion, but the wetland impact debate is intensifying as Uganda pushes toward first oil.

Tourism & Aviation: Ugandan tourism players are urging government to suspend Emirates flights to Entebbe in retaliation for UAE Ebola-era restrictions that still block Ugandans from travelling to Dubai, even after Uganda was declared Ebola-free on July 28. Entry & Travel Disruptions: Taiwan says it is negotiating with Uganda after reports of Taiwanese nationals being denied entry and having passports withheld at Entebbe, with officials linking the cases to Taiwan’s 90-day Ebola-related entry ban. Public Health Travel Rules: The US has temporarily tightened travel for passengers returning from Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo, routing some travellers through designated US airports for Ebola screening and barring commercial boarding for those recently in DR Congo. Regional Peace & Movement: DR Congo released 15 detainees under the Doha Peace Process; the convoy travelled through Uganda before handover to M23 in Rutshuru. Safety & Security: IS-linked militants attacked a Congo village near Uganda’s border, killing at least 13 and forcing residents to flee amid the ongoing Ebola crisis. Energy for Travel: Malawi commissioned its first grid-scale lithium battery storage system to stabilise solar power after past hydropower losses—an example of how climate-smart upgrades can protect travel and business reliability.

Ebola & Travel Safety: The U.S. temporarily tightened travel rules for passengers returning from Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo, routing some arrivals through designated airports for screening and barring commercial flights for recent DRC visitors—an important heads-up for Uganda-bound travellers and tour operators. Cross-Border Tourism Push: Uganda’s role in the Serengeti Safari Marathon is highlighted as East Africa doubles down on active, sports-led tourism and cross-border collaboration around the Lake Victoria Basin. Tourism Product & Hospitality: Bwindi’s Silverback Lodge is profiled as a “reimagined” safari stay that blends lodge life with gorilla conservation storytelling—good inspiration for visitors planning gorilla treks. Regional Infrastructure: EACOP construction hits 91% completion, bringing Uganda closer to first oil and keeping investor and logistics interest tied to travel corridors. Travel Disruptions at Entry Points: Taiwan says it is negotiating with Uganda after reports of Taiwanese nationals facing entry denials and passport issues at Entebbe. Road Safety for Visitors: Uganda is pushing tougher school transport rules as crash risks remain high—relevant for families and schools planning trips. Digital Travel & Services: Posta Uganda launches a five-year rescue plan to modernize postal and logistics services, aiming to cut travel time for citizens.