Oil & Energy: Uganda officially named its crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” a low-sulphur grade meant to be priced and marketed as the country pushes toward commercial production by year-end, with TotalEnergies and CNOOC leading upstream work and UNOC holding a 15% stake. Regulation & Governance: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda faces leadership uncertainty after Ernest Rubondo’s exit, with an acting director in place while Government finalizes a substantive Executive Director. Public Safety & Policing: Fresh details emerged on the National Cleaning Day killing of boda rider Ronald Juuko Kizito in Wakiso, with allegations against a police constable and witness accounts challenging the initial police narrative. Water & Urban Services: NWSC says its Greater Kampala “Package 2B” works—new mains, reservoirs and booster stations—are meant to end recurrent shortages and expand capacity through 2040. Humanitarian & Social Policy: UNICEF warns El Niño risks could affect over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, including Uganda, with threats to food, health, learning and safe water. Digital Economy: Uber shuts down ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda from Sept. 2, while also laying off about 10% of its global workforce. Health Systems: Uganda’s newborn sickle cell screening programme is highlighted as a decade of evidence turning into implementation, with remaining gaps around follow-up and missed cases.