Uganda has been selected to host the 19th World Congress on Environmental Health (WCEH 2028), a flagship global congress convening environmental health professionals, researchers, academics, and policy makers from around the world.
The bid was submitted by the Environmental Health Workers Association of Uganda (EHWAU) in collaboration with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), with support from the Ministry of Health and Makerere School of Public Health.
The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH), the organising body, confirmed Uganda as the host nation for the congress scheduled to be held in Kampala in 2028.
The Congress is held biennially and serves as a global platform to address critical public health challenges including climate change and environmental risks, food safety and sanitation, urban health and sustainability, and the strengthening of public health systems. The 2028 edition is expected to attract 1,500 delegates over five days, generating an estimated direct economic impact of UGX 9.68 billion for Uganda.
Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa says hosting the congress presents significant opportunities across Uganda’s private sector. Hoteliers in Kampala stand to benefit from accommodating 1,500 delegates for the duration of the event, while airlines, airport transfer services, and car hire operators will support delegate movement throughout the country.
“Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) will have the opportunity to demonstrate Uganda’s capacity to deliver world-class international events. Destination Management Companies and tour operators are encouraged to develop curated pre- and post-conference tourism packages to extend delegate stays and maximise tourism revenue,”she stated.
“Winning this bid is a testament to Uganda’s growing stature as a premier meetings and conventions destination. The WCEH 2028 will not only bring global expertise to our shores but will catalyse investment in our hospitality, transport, and tourism sectors, while positioning Uganda as a hub for international knowledge exchange.”Kaggwa added.
Kaggwa further emphasized that this win reinforces Uganda’s MICE strategy and builds on the country’s strong performance in recent years.
In 2024, Uganda welcomed approximately 1.37 million international visitors – a 7.7 per cent increase from 2023 – with international tourism receipts reaching a record US$1.28 billion, contributing about 16 per cent of total exports.
EHWAU and UCB will now advance planning for the congress in collaboration with IFEH, the Ministry of Health, and Makerere School of Public Health.
Uganda Tourism Board remains committed to facilitating landmark events of this nature to sustain sector growth, expand Uganda’s global footprint, and reinforce its position as the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda’s tourism sector is a cornerstone of the economy, experiencing a strong post-pandemic recovery with international arrivals reaching approximately 1.6 million in 2025, yielding around USD 1.6 billion in foreign exchange. Known as “The Pearl of Africa,” Uganda focuses on nature-based tourism, including mountain gorilla trekking, adventure sports on the Nile, and wildlife safaris.
The sector accounts for roughly 7.7% of Uganda’s GDP and contributes significantly to employment, supporting over 667,000 jobs.
