Oil & Gas Branding: Uganda has officially named its crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” a low-sulphur grade meant to be priced and marketed ahead of commercial production by end-2026, with TotalEnergies and CNOOC upstream projects and UNOC set to market the grade alongside Vitol. Regulatory Leadership: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda faces a sensitive transition after Ernest Rubondo’s exit, with an acting director in place while government finalises a substantive Executive Director. Power & Water Delivery: NWSC says its Package 2B expansion—new transmission mains, reservoirs and booster stations—will tackle Greater Kampala’s water shortages as it scales distribution capacity. Manufacturing Under Pressure: Nytil Textile Industries in Jinja reports bedsheet output collapsing from 70,000 pieces monthly to 2,000, blaming cheaper imports and calling for tighter tax/customs treatment of textile imports. Digital Infrastructure: WIOCC secures $300m from AFC and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre and data-centre capacity across Africa. Transport & Services Shock: Uber shuts down ride-hailing in Nigeria and Uganda from Sept 2, pushing drivers and riders to competitors. Agri-Tech & Extension: Nigeria explores AI-enabled digital extension to reduce the huge farmer-to-extension worker gap and protect yields and incomes. Public Health & Chemicals: Kenya’s pesticide use hits record levels, raising concerns over hazardous chemical dependence and health risks. Governance & Accountability: Government launches an oversight inspection of PDM, Emyooga and cattle restocking in Teso and Lango to check beneficiary selection, fund access and loan recovery.