By Spy Uganda
In a monumental win for Uganda’s growing profile on the global stage, the country has been selected to host the 11th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and the 9th African Engineering Conference—a premier gathering of Africa’s top engineers, innovators, and policymakers.
The high-impact event, dubbed by insiders as “Africa’s Engineering Olympics”, is set to take place from September 14–20, 2025, at the luxurious Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala.
Under the theme “Leveraging Engineering Innovations and Technology to Accelerate Africa’s Socio-Economic Transformation,” the week-long gathering is expected to ignite groundbreaking conversations and showcase real-world engineering solutions driving the continent’s future.
This will mark Uganda’s debut as host of the prestigious UNESCO Africa Engineering Week, an annual event designed to elevate the engineering profession while promoting STEM education, innovation, and sustainable development.
The successful bid was led by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE)—a strategic collaboration that impressed UNESCO with Uganda’s hospitality potential and commitment to innovation.
“Hosting this prestigious event aligns perfectly with our mission to position Uganda as a premier destination for conferences and business tourism,” said Juliana Kagwa, UTB’s CEO. “It’s more than just an event—this is Uganda’s moment to shine as a hub for innovation and high-level dialogue.”
The conference is expected to draw thousands of delegates from across the continent, including top engineers, scientists, government leaders, development partners, tech entrepreneurs, and students.
Organizers promise a dynamic program featuring:
- Cutting-edge technical sessions
- STEM education workshops and mentoring
- Public engagement campaigns to demystify engineering
- Networking events aimed at fostering collaboration across borders
At its core, the event supports Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic blueprint for inclusive and sustainable development. From renewable energy to smart infrastructure, the conference aims to spotlight engineering-driven solutions that can transform African economies.
Beyond its academic and developmental impact, the event is a strategic win for Uganda’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The Uganda Convention Bureau (UCB)—a UTB unit dedicated to boosting MICE tourism—is already in high gear, working to ensure a flawless experience.
“This is an opportunity to turn the global spotlight on Uganda—not just as the Pearl of Africa in natural beauty, but as a thought leader in engineering, education, and innovation,” noted UCB officials.
Preparations are already underway, with a national organizing committee rallying stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector. The countdown has begun to what could become one of Uganda’s most influential international events in years.
