Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to fast-track the operationalization of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA), a landmark African Union institution set to be hosted in Kampala.
The commitment was reiterated during the 1,350th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), which convened in Addis Ababa under the theme “Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Humanitarian Assistance in Africa.” The meeting focused on addressing the continent’s escalating displacement and humanitarian challenges.
Representing Uganda, Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, IGAD and UNECA, assured member states that the Government of Uganda is working closely with the African Union Commission to conclude all remaining processes necessary for the agency’s full operationalization.
According to Ambassador Otengo, Uganda has already secured budgetary provisions to support staffing and operational requirements of the agency. Once established, the African Humanitarian Agency will become the first African Union institution to be hosted by Uganda since 1963, marking a significant milestone in the country’s engagement with continental affairs.
The Peace and Security Council meeting noted that forced displacement across Africa continues to increase, driven by a combination of armed conflicts, climate change, food insecurity, and economic hardships. These challenges have left millions of Africans in need of humanitarian assistance and long-term support.
In her remarks, Ambassador Otengo emphasized Uganda’s unwavering support for African-led humanitarian solutions and called for stronger resource mobilization to address persistent funding gaps affecting humanitarian interventions across the continent.
Uganda remains at the forefront of refugee protection efforts in Africa, currently hosting more than 1.7 million refugees, making it the largest refugee-hosting country on the continent. The country continues to advocate for increased international cooperation and responsibility-sharing to support nations bearing the greatest burden of displacement.
The ambassador also announced that Uganda will assume the chairmanship of the African Union Peace and Security Council in July 2026, a role expected to further strengthen the country’s contribution to peace, security, and humanitarian initiatives across Africa.
As preparations for the African Humanitarian Agency continue, Uganda’s commitment reflects its broader vision of promoting African solidarity, sustainable humanitarian responses, and collective action in addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges.
