By Spy Uganda
Uganda has cemented its position as one of Africa’s leading diplomatic and humanitarian hubs after securing the right to host the headquarters of the African Union Humanitarian Agency (AUHA), with construction of the permanent facility set to begin in Lubowa.
The development marks a major milestone for Uganda, which emerged victorious after a competitive selection process involving several African countries vying to host the continental institution.
Speaking during a government briefing on Tuesday, Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba announced that the African Union Humanitarian Agency headquarters will be established in Lubowa, while temporary office space will be provided in Rubaga to enable technical teams to begin operations as construction progresses.
She said the agency will become the African Union’s principal institution for coordinating humanitarian responses across the continent, particularly as Africa continues to grapple with armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, disease outbreaks, forced displacement and other humanitarian emergencies.
“The African Union Humanitarian Agency headquarters is going to be constructed in Lubowa,” Kasule Lumumba said, noting that Uganda’s successful bid followed a rigorous assessment by African Union evaluation teams.
The decision to establish the agency stems from the African Union General Assembly’s adoption of the Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness during an extraordinary summit in Addis Ababa in January 2016. The framework called for stronger African-led humanitarian systems capable of addressing the root causes of crises while delivering faster and more coordinated responses.
Preparatory work eventually culminated in the establishment of the African Union Humanitarian Agency, with Uganda now selected to host its permanent headquarters.
Beyond enhancing Uganda’s diplomatic standing, the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits by attracting diplomats, humanitarian specialists, researchers, policymakers and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
Government officials say the influx of international personnel will stimulate demand for hotels, conference facilities, transport services, banking, healthcare, legal services and other sectors that support international institutions.
Cabinet has approved a phased implementation plan under which government will first secure rented office space for the agency’s initial operations before construction of the permanent headquarters in Lubowa gathers pace.
According to government, the headquarters is expected to be completed within the next two to three years, positioning Uganda at the centre of continental humanitarian coordination and reinforcing its growing reputation as a trusted destination for regional and international institutions.
