By Aggrey Baba
Uganda expects to reap greater economic benefits from the expanding United Nations operations in Entebbe after Cabinet approved an additional six acres of government land to accommodate the organization’s growing regional support services.
ICT Minister Kasule Lumumba announced the decision on Tuesday, saying the land would be carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries property in Entebbe to support the expansion of the UN Regional Service Centre.
The centre, established in 2010, has exhausted the 20 acres it currently occupies as it takes on additional responsibilities within the United Nations system.
For government, the expansion presents an opportunity to attract more international operations to Uganda, with the resulting expenditure expected to benefit local businesses, service providers and workers.
Figures presented to Cabinet indicate that staffing at the centre generates about USD 40 million every year for the local economy, while local contracts contribute another USD 33 million.
The combined annual economic contribution is therefore estimated at approximately USD 73 million, although the figures represent different sources of spending rather than direct government revenue.
Hon. Lumumba said the centre provides financial, human resource, administrative, logistics and information and communications technology support to UN operations across the region.
Uganda is seeking to position Entebbe as a preferred location for more of these services as the UN reorganizes its operations to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
President Museveni conveyed Uganda’s offer to host additional UN services to the Secretary-General, with the proposal subsequently welcomed by the UN.
The centre has already taken over administrative and support functions previously handled by the Kuwait Joint Support Office, with the transfer taking effect on July 1, 2026.
The expansion is expected to strengthen that role further.
Another anticipated development is the centre’s emergence as the largest travel ticketing office in the UN system, handling an average of about 250 travel tickets daily.
The additional land will provide room for the centre to accommodate its expanding workload while strengthening the country’s relationship with the UN.
The expected growth offers opportunities in accommodation, transport, catering, supplies and other services required by international staff and operations, for Entebbe and Kampala. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
