Uganda Selected to Host AU Humanitarian Agency Headquarters in Kampala

Uganda has been selected to host the headquarters of the African Union Humanitarian Agency. The decision follows a competitive process among several member states.

Design and construction of the permanent headquarters are set to begin in Kampala. The structure is expected to be ready by 2029.

The facility will be built in Lubowa, on the outskirts of the capital. Government officials confirmed that temporary office space will first be secured in Rubaga for technical teams while construction advances.

Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba announced the details during a briefing on Tuesday. She said Uganda emerged as the preferred host after a rigorous assessment by African Union evaluation teams.

The project will be implemented in phases. Uganda is funding the construction at an estimated cost of 86 million US dollars, equivalent to about 315 billion Ugandan shillings.

Uganda won the hosting rights in 2024 after scoring highest against Kenya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. The agency is intended to coordinate continental responses to conflicts, disasters and displacement.

This will be the first African Union specialised agency hosted by Uganda since the country joined the organisation. Officials said the presence of the headquarters is expected to draw diplomats, humanitarian experts and related services to the country.

Cabinet has approved the phased approach so that operations can start while the permanent building takes shape. The headquarters will form part of Uganda’s growing role of regional institutions.

Construction details, including exact design specifications and contractors, have not yet been released. The focus remains on preparing the site in Lubowa and establishing interim offices.

The African Union Humanitarian Agency was established to strengthen the continent’s capacity to respond to humanitarian crises. Locating its headquarters in Uganda places the institution in a country with extensive experience in refugee hosting and disaster response.

Work on the permanent structure is scheduled to move forward in the coming period, with the 2029 target guiding the timeline.