Uganda has been selected by the African Union (AU) to host and construct the headquarters of the African Union Humanitarian Agency in Lubowa, at an estimated cost of US$86 million.
The decision follows resolutions adopted during the African Union Assembly held on January 30, 2016, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which approved the establishment of the agency to coordinate humanitarian operations across the continent.
Addressing a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre, Minister for ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba said several African countries expressed interest in hosting the institution, but Uganda emerged the successful bidder after a competitive selection process.
Minister Lumumba said government estimates that construction of the headquarters will take between two and three years. During the construction period, the agency’s technical team will operate from rented premises.
She said hosting the AU Humanitarian Agency is expected to create employment opportunities, attract investment and enhance Uganda’s diplomatic influence on the African continent.
The minister added that the US$86 million construction cost will be financed by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Once the agency becomes fully operational, AU member states will contribute towards its operational costs and service delivery activities.
The establishment of the headquarters in Uganda is expected to position the country as a key centre for coordinating humanitarian responses across Africa.
By Olivia Nabaggala
4th Aug 2026
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