ENTEBBE
Uganda has signed a host country agreement with the African Union (AU) to establish the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA), marking a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s institutional capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies across the continent.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni witnessed the signing ceremony at State House in Entebbe, according to statements he and African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Amma Twum-Amoah issued Monday.
The agreement paves the way for the agency to be headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, as part of broader efforts to strengthen African-led humanitarian coordination and responses to crises affecting millions of people across the continent.
In a statement posted on X, Museveni welcomed the agreement and thanked African Union member states for entrusting Uganda with hosting the agency.
“The humanitarian challenges facing Africa require a coordinated continental response,” Museveni said.
“We must work together to ensure that our people have access to the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, clothing and medicine,” he added.
The president emphasized that addressing humanitarian challenges is a shared responsibility requiring the participation of all African countries.
AU commissioner hails Uganda’s commitment
Twum-Amoah, the African Union commissioner for health, humanitarian affairs and social development, expressed appreciation to Museveni for personally witnessing the signing ceremony, describing his presence as a strong demonstration of political commitment to the agency’s establishment.
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, she said Uganda’s support reflected the importance African leaders attach to strengthening the continent’s humanitarian institutions.
“Your presence sent a powerful message and reflected the highest level of political commitment to the operationalisation of this landmark African institution which will be hosted in Kampala, Uganda,” Twum-Amoah said.
She described the signing as more than a formal agreement, emphasizing its significance for Africa’s efforts to develop its own humanitarian response mechanisms.
“This official signing marks more than an agreement. It opens a new chapter in Africa’s journey toward self-reliance, empowering the continent to shape its own humanitarian architecture and lead its own humanitarian future,” she said.
Strengthening Africa’s humanitarian response
The establishment of the African Union Humanitarian Agency is intended to enhance the continent’s capacity to provide coordinated, timely and effective humanitarian assistance, particularly to refugees, forcibly displaced people and vulnerable communities.
According to Twum-Amoah, the agency represents an important step toward building stronger African-led humanitarian systems capable of responding to emergencies and supporting affected populations.
“Through #AfHA, Africa is strengthening its capacity to provide timely, effective & dignified support to refugees, forcibly displaced persons and vulnerable communities across the continent,” she said.
The signing also highlights growing emphasis on regional cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing humanitarian needs, with African Union member states expected to play a central role in strengthening the continent’s collective response capacity.
