President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has witnessed the signing of a Host Country Agreement between the Government of Uganda and the African Union (AU), paving the way for the establishment of the AU Humanitarian Agency headquarters in Kampala.
The agreement was signed at State House, Entebbe, and provides the legal and institutional framework for the agency’s establishment and operations in Uganda.
President Museveni welcomed the development, saying the agency would strengthen Africa’s capacity to coordinate humanitarian assistance and respond to emergencies, including conflicts, disasters and food insecurity.
The Attorney General, Sam Mayanja, who signed on behalf of the Government, said Uganda secured the hosting bid with a score of 85 per cent, reflecting the confidence the AU has in the country. He said the establishment process is expected to begin in December 2026 and take approximately three years.
The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, attributed Uganda’s selection to its longstanding commitment to humanitarian assistance, particularly its refugee-hosting policy and experience in managing displacement.
AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, said the agreement marked an important step towards strengthening Africa’s ownership and coordination of humanitarian responses.
She noted that the continent continues to face growing humanitarian challenges, including armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate-related disasters, food insecurity and disease outbreaks.
Ambassador Twum-Amoah revealed that the AU Commission had mobilised an initial team to begin operationalising the agency and was working with the Ugandan Government to facilitate its deployment to Kampala by the end of November or, at the latest, mid-December 2026.
She said the agency should serve as a platform for African solidarity, coordinated humanitarian action and support to vulnerable populations across the continent.
