Uganda has achieved a major diplomatic milestone after winning the bid to host the headquarters of the African Union Humanitarian Agency (AfHA) in Kampala.
The decision followed a competitive selection process in which Uganda outperformed Kenya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. An independent African Union evaluation team assessed the four bids before recommending Uganda as the preferred host, citing its strong humanitarian record and institutional capacity.
The African Humanitarian Agency is a specialized technical agency of the African Union established to coordinate humanitarian action, disaster response and support for member states facing crises across the continent. Uganda’s successful bid is widely viewed as recognition of its long-standing role as one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nations and its experience in humanitarian response.
The victory is historic because it will make AfHA the first African Union agency to be headquartered in Uganda since the country joined the continental body in 1963. Government officials have previously described the achievement as a significant boost to Uganda’s international standing and regional influence.
Since the selection, Uganda and the African Union have continued working on the Host Country Agreement and other legal and administrative arrangements required before the agency becomes fully operational. Discussions on fast-tracking the establishment of the institution have continued through 2026.
While proposals have indicated that the headquarters will be built in Kampala, there has been no official confirmation from the African Union or the Government of Uganda that the headquarters building will be completed by 2029. Planning and operationalization are ongoing, but a confirmed construction completion date has not yet been publicly announced.